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On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss President Obama’s season of scandals and his prospects for second-term governing. Then, they talk in more detail about the Justice Department’s snooping on AP journalists, and about the conviction of abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia. 

Here are some of the links and references mentioned during this week's show:

• Slate’s Explainer, Brian Palmer, on the history of political targeting by the IRS.
• Wonkblog’s Brad Plumer looked at how the IRS is supposed to scrutinize 501(c)(4) groups.
• John writes that “when the government overreaches in so many ways it gives support to the conservative argument about the inherently rapacious nature of government.”
• “Where’s my scandal?” John wonders, after he read through 100 pages of Benghazi emails released by the White House.
• Emily says the Obama administration’s prosecution of leaks is unprecedented and outrageous.
• Most abortion doctors are not Kermit Gosnell, writes Will Saletan.

Emily chatters about John Dickerson: John won the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for his series, “How to Measure for a President.”

John chatters about the note Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev left in the boat where he was captured. 

David chatters about Geoguesser.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Mike Vuolo. Links compiled by Jeff Friedrich.