Why the silence from The Post on Black Panther Party story?  —  Thursday's Post reported about a growing controversy over the Justice Department's decision to scale down a voter-intimidation case against members of the New Black Panther Party.  The story succinctly summarized the issues …

Republicans divided on the importance of an agenda for midterm elections  —  Sometime after Labor Day, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner plans to unveil a blueprint of what Republicans will do if they take back control of the chamber.  He promises it will be a full plate of policy proposals …

Margaret Thatcher's family are ‘appalled’ at Meryl Streep film  —  Film about Margaret Thatcher's life, which is expected to star Meryl Streep, shows the former prime minister as a dementia-sufferer looking back at her life with sadness.  —  Tim Walker.  —  Although the prospect …

Introducing The Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit  —  For your entertainment pleasure this Friday evening, the folks at NewsBusters want to introduce you to “The Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit.”  —  Did you buy into Hope and Change a few years ago only to now feel embarrassed by what's adorning your wheels?

White House wanderers tour Acadia  —  BAR HARBOR — Julia Freifeld, of Raleigh, N.C., was absolutely certain she knew where the Obamas would make a stop during their weekend getaway on Mount Desert Island.  —  She staked out Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium on Main Street in Bar Harbor.

Joe Biden fined $219K for 2008 presidential campaign violations  —  The Federal Election Commission has penalized Vice President Joe Biden's 2008 presidential campaign $219,000 for accepting over-the-limit contributions and a discounted flight on a jet owned by a New York hedge fund.

Barney Frank defends Scott Brown's daughters  —  WASHINGTON - Representative Barney Frank this afternoon came to Senator Scott Brown's defense, joining the Massachusetts Republican in criticizing comedian Kathy Griffin for comments she made calling Brown's daughters “prostitutes.”

Vitter sorry for Maddow comment  —  Vitter is apologizing for a comment poking run at Rachel Maddow.  —  (Updated with additional context)  —  (CNN) - Republican Sen. David Vitter apologized to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow Friday after jesting on a radio program that she only looked like a woman “a long time ago.”

Angling for Harry Reid  —  Why the tea party favorite thinks voters will reject the attacks on her views and help her topple the Senate majority leader.  —  Sharron Angle first realized the extent of the brewing revolt against Washington in late March, at a tea party protest in Searchlight …

The Blegging Bowl 1  —  Yesterday I posted a bleg asking readers of AndrewSullivan.com and FrumForum.com for help writing a one-sentence description of a modernized, reformed conservatism.  We've had a stunning response: almost 200 suggestions, via email from AndrewSullivan readers and in the comments section at FrumForum.

Zuckerman: Obamanomics “our economic Katrina”  —  How far out of favor has Barack Obama fallen with the business community?  Self-professed Obama supporter and occasional speechwriter Mort Zuckerman wrote a lengthy indictment of Obama's economic policies in US News & World Report yesterday afternoon …

With Well Shut for 2 Days, BP Sees No Signs of Damage  —  Officials on Saturday extended a test of the cap on BP's blown-out well for another 24 hours, after two days of testing showed no signs of damage in the 13,000-foot-deep hole in the Gulf of Mexico.  —  “We continue to see success …

Mexican drug cartels' newest weapon: Cold War-era grenades made in U.S.  —  MEXICO CITY — Grenades made in the United States and sent to Central America during the Cold War have resurfaced as terrifying new weapons in almost weekly attacks by Mexican drug cartels.