Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4pm on CNN.
Continuing coverage of IRS scandal, and new details on Benghazi investigation.
politics lead
One flashpoint at Friday’s House hearing on IRS targeting of conservative political groups seeking tax-exempt status occurred between acting agency chief Steven Miller and Republican Rep. Paul Ryan.
The Wisconsin Republican and former vice presidential nominee was frustrated that Miller, who was briefed on the controversial IRS practices last May, failed to mention it in subsequent letters to Congress and in hearing testimony just two months later.
"How can we not conclude that you did not mislead this committee?" Ryan asked Miller at Friday's Ways and Means Committee hearing.
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politics lead
By Jake Tapper, CNN Chief Washington Correspondent
The national battle over guns is headed to the states in a major way.
Already groups supporting more gun restrictions have been active on the local level. And now for the first time in almost two decades, the National Rifle Association is attempting to coordinate the recall of a top state legislator for having successfully passed further gun restrictions in his state, CNN has learned.
The focus of the NRA campaign is Colorado State Senate President John Morse. He is facing a petition drive to initiate an election to recall him because of legislation passed earlier this year requiring “universal” background checks on sales of all firearms in the state, as well as a ban on the sale of ammunition magazines greater than 15 rounds.
Morse told CNN he knew he was being targeted by local gun groups, but at the beginning did not know the NRA was after him.
"It was a grassroots effort for a little while, but when that didn't take at all, it was clear they were getting money from outside, and I wasn't the least bit surprised the NRA was behind it," said Morse.
The NRA declined an invitation to appear on "The Lead."
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politics lead
Watch "The Lead" on CNN at 4 p.m. for our full interview with former vice presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan. In the meantime - a teaser Q&A with the Wisconsin Republican.
Jake: There are certainly a lot of controversies or scandals brewing right now when it comes to the Obama administration. There's Benghazi, IRS, the DOJ issuing subpoenas of the Associated Press phone records. We have the story yesterday about the terrorists, former terrorists put in the –
Paul Ryan: Right.
Jake: - Witness Relocation Program that the Marshal Service lost track of. There's a lot for Congress to beat up the administration on. At the same time, there are pressing needs in the economy. There are pressing needs when it comes to immigration reform. Will it be possible for House Republicans to work with the administration to get things done for this country while all –
Paul Ryan: Yes, I think so.
Jake: - while also maintaining these investigations?
Paul Ryan: Yes. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. I'm part of a group of Republicans and Democrats that just reached an agreement of principle last night on immigration reform, bipartisan immigration reform. We're still working on comprehensive tax reform in the Ways and Means Committee, the committee that's doing these IRS hearings, as well. And we're working with senators like Max Baucus, the Democrat chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
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politics lead
Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said he is weighing another run for president.
"I'm planning on doing everything consistent with putting yourself in a position to make a decision that is a viable decision," said Santorum, who gave Mitt Romney some trouble in the 2012 Republican primary fight.
"I haven't pulled any triggers yet, but certainly we're out there," he said.
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politics lead
If an embattled President Barack Obama was looking for scandal shelter from left-leaning comedian Jon Stewart, the “Daily Show” has provided little this week.
“Every critic suddenly has credibility, every single one,” Stewart said Wednesday night after one of the show’s trademark montages, this one of Republicans hammering Obama over the IRS, Benghazi and phone tracking headlines.
The best Stewart could chastise Republicans: “The Obama administration transgressions don’t wipe away yours, which are many (and) grievous.”
Bill Burton, a former White House deputy press secretary under Obama, laughed off the harshest criticisms.
“I guess president Obama is done. He ought to submit his resignation right now,” Burton said Thursday on CNN’s “The Lead.”
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