Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deere 14 PZ wont draw gas from carb, bolt holes, feed tube

Question
I have a John Deere 14PZ with a Briggs 124702-3214-01 (Code 93062356).  Ran fine last season, now I can only get to run if I remove plug, squirt gas in cylinder, replace plug.  Will run until gas in cylinder is gone.
Carb bowl fills with gas, but does not get drawn into engine.  Carb has been cleaned and ensured that bowl bolt holes are clear.  Also, with carb off, feed tube has good suction.  
Any ideas or suggestions you can give are surely welcome!

Answer
Is the primer gasket cracked...they almost always crack when I remove the air filter housing.

Igntion, compression, timing sound fine.  Can you start the engine if you squirt a little fuel directly into the carb throat?  Can you keep the engine running by squirting gas into the carb?

If it will run when priming directly into the carb then most likely the carb is plugged up somewhere.  

Let me know if it starts by priming through the carb.

Eric