The Briefing 02-10-14

1. The Olympics are never without political influence

Sochi forces Putin to face realities, USA Today (Louise Branson)

The Putin Games, Wall Street Journal (Editorial Board)

2. Federal recognition of same-sex couples reveals Obama’s continued evolution on same-sex marriage

Same-Sex marriage: New protections show how Obama’s position ‘evolved’, Christian Science Monitor (Brad Knickerbocker)

Justice Department to give married same-sex couples equal protection, Washington Post (Sari Horowitz)

More Federal Privileges to Extend to Same-Sex Couples, New York Times (Matt Apuzzo)

3. There are limits to society’s sexual libertarianism

 Singles embracing once-taboo choices, USA Today (Sharon Jayson)