News Ticker: April 18

Blake Farenthold tempts rejection, Ted Cruz faces defeat, and Pat Quinn is completely over it. Disappointment is on the News Ticker.

• Of all the skills required of a U.S. Senator, none are as valued as the ability to shoot oneself in the foot.

• Gabby Giffords isn't particularly pleased with that fact.

• But at least there is one bright side.

• During his treacly Senate tribute to Margaret Thatcher, Ted Cruz stops just short of reworking Elton John's "Candle in the Wind."

• We knew that Google Fiber had seen other cities before; we just thought that this time it was willing to be exclusive.

• Although U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, has sent tons of "winks" to northeast gun manufacturers, his OkCupid profile seems to be scaring them off.

• Meanwhile, Rick Perry has been trying out his Spanish fly on Illinois. Gov. Pat Quinn said he's heard all those lines before.

• A decade after Texas' sodomy law was declared unconstitutional, the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee has finally allowed a vote on its repeal.

• New Hampshire State Rep. Peter Hansen claims that people are misinterpreting his statement referring to all women as "vaginas." Relatedly, Hansen is reportedly confused why people keep calling him a private eye.