Terror group's leader: ‘Have to build it’  —  By S.A. MILLER in Washington and TOM TOPOUSIS in New York  —  A leader of the Hamas terror group yesterday jumped into the emotional debate on the plan to construct a mosque near Ground Zero — insisting Muslims “have to build” it there.

President goes for a swim in the Gulf - or does he?  —  President Barack Obama wanted to convince America that the Gulf of Mexico remains open for business.  But perhaps he didn't want the world to catch another glimpse of his hairless chest.  —  So when he and his daughter, Sasha …

Feds clear DeLay after six years  —  The Justice Department has informed former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) that the government has ended a six-year investigation of his ties to the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to DeLay's lead counsel in the matter, Richard Cullen, chairman of McGuireWoods.

Dept. of propaganda  —  Rep. Darrell Issa is out with a report this morning claiming that the Obama administration has engaged in an unprecedented amount of illegal propaganda.  —  The charge is almost undoubtedly true: As the report drily catalogues, virtually every 20th century administration …

The Transformer  —  Bob Gates never thought he'd be Barack Obama's defense secretary.  Now, in an exclusive interview, the most revolutionary Pentagon leader since Robert McNamara tells FP why he said yes, when he'll get out of Washington, and what legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Alvin Greene howls and wails at reporter … Alvin Greene's mugshot from Richland County arrest  —  MANNING, SC (WIS) - In a bizarre interview at his home in Manning, South Carolina, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Alvin Green said he is not quitting the race even after his indictment on a felony charge of obscenity.

Harvard Confirms, They DID NOT Divest its Israel Holdings.  —  Last night the Israeli business news website,Globes announced that Harvard had sold off its stock in Israeli-owned companies.  Many bloggers, myself included assumed that the many forces within Harvard pushing for the school …

Attacking Social Security  —  Social Security turned 75 last week.  It should have been a joyous occasion, a time to celebrate a program that has brought dignity and decency to the lives of older Americans.  —  But the program is under attack, with some Democrats as well as nearly all Republicans joining the assault.

It Begins... Dem Congresswoman Brings In Street Thug at Town Hall Meeting to Threaten Constituents (Video)  —  SUMMER SLAM 2010...  Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL) brought Bruno the Bone-Crusher with her to a town hall meeting this weekend to threaten constituents.

Huckabee Leads 2012 Iowa Caucus Poll - Palin Finishes Fourth behind Newt  —  Believe it or not, the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination is already underway in Iowa.  Potential candidates like Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich are already making frequent visits …

Ground Zero mosque debate is about common sense, sensitivity to 9/11 vics, not religious freedom  —  The former Burlington Coat Factory building, above, is the proposed site of the Park51 mosque and cultural center.  The location's proximity to Ground Zero has caused considerable controversy.

Stanley McChrystal to Yale  —  Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was forced to retire in July after an embarrassing Rolling Stone article quoted him and his staff making disparaging remarks about top White House officials, is taking a job at Yale, POLITICO has learned.

Holy Frickin' Reagan: Best Advertorial You'll See  —  Seriously, watch it.  —  This comes from the Republican Study Committee, which is headed, if I have the information right, by Rep. Tom Price of Georgia.  —  So now you can't say the GOP isn't doing anything to advance the message.

Mich. school practices 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.  —  DEARBORN, Mich. — A Michigan high school football team is holding preseason practices in the middle of the night to help its Muslim players practice both faith and football.  —  The predominantly Muslim squad from Dearborn says the nocturnal regimen …

A Man Who Deserves To Be Viable in 2012  —  Imagine a successful two-term Republican governor with a credible small government record, a demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, skepticism about foreign wars, a longstanding determination to right America's fiscal ship …

Taliban ‘kill adulterous Afghan couple’ in marketplace  —  A man and a woman who allegedly had an adulterous affair have been stoned and killed in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz.  —  The punishment happened in a crowded bazaar on Sunday in the Taliban-controlled village of Mullah Quli.