Deadly combo of slow news day and major moonlighting deadlines makes this Tuesday painful. Hang with me, animals.

Here are some midday news/views tastycakes:

* Book-mark for future reference: Jonathan Cohn marshals the evidence that the Affordable Care Act is working well.

* New case headed for POTUS will test whether religious liberty holdings of Hobby Lobby apply to minority religions like Islam.

* At TNR Brian Beutler argues Romney wasn’t off-balance or “uncomfortable” making his 47% gaffe, as Mitt suggested in Liebovich piece.

* New York Times tick-tock on when administration assessments of IS changed mentions a factor a lot of critics have forgotten: shocking collapse of Iraqi Army.

* Juan Williams the rare pundit who thinks improving economy could tip midterms to Democrats.

And in non-political news:

* FCC bans NFL blackouts for non-sold-out games.

As we break for lunch, here’s more Marc Bolan with T. Rex, performing “Jeepster” in 1972.

YouTube video

Our ideas can save democracy... But we need your help! Donate Now!

Ed Kilgore is a political columnist for New York and managing editor at the Democratic Strategist website. He was a contributing writer at the Washington Monthly from January 2012 until November 2015, and was the principal contributor to the Political Animal blog.