Obama Approval Drops to New Low of 40%  —  Similar to his approval rating for handling the debt ceiling negotiations  —  PRINCETON, NJ — President Obama's job approval rating is at a new low, averaging 40% in July 26-28 Gallup Daily tracking.  His prior low rating of 41% occurred several times, the last of which was in April.

Weak growth raises concerns on economy  —  (Reuters) - The U.S. economy came perilously close to flat-lining in the first quarter and grew at a meager 1.3 percent annual rate in the April-June period as consumer spending barely rose.  —  The Commerce Department data on Friday also showed …

Tea Party groups target ‘defectors’ on debt vote  —  Several Tea Party organizations are working to punish conservative Republicans who plan to vote yes on Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) debt ceiling proposal.  —  Tea Party leaders announced Thursday they are targeting Republican Reps. James Lankford …

Democrats criticize Haley's checking of ‘white’ on voter registration application  —  COLUMBIA — What box should Gov. Nikki Haley check when it comes to her race?  —  The South Carolina Democratic Party tried Thursday to make Haley out as a liar for checking “white” as her race …

Barack Obama Twitter Spams The Nation, Loses 10,000 Followers And Counting  —  You know that friend of yours who's always the first to get in on the hottest social media trends?  The one who had a Tumblr before everyone?  The one who first sent you a Google+ invite?

The Centrist Cop-Out  —  The facts of the crisis over the debt ceiling aren't complicated.  Republicans have, in effect, taken America hostage, threatening to undermine the economy and disrupt the essential business of government unless they get policy concessions they would never have been able to enact through legislation.

Practically Delusional  —  Just minutes after President Obama urged the parties to come together and avert this default crisis, things are actually going backwards in the House.  And in pretty incredible fashion.  —  To secure enough votes from his own members for his plan …

U.S. balance now less than Apple cash  —  Steve Jobs is now more liquid than Uncle Sam.  —  While it's highly unlikely that President Barack Obama is looking to ask the founder and chief executive of Apple Inc. for a loan, it became a fact as of Thursday afternoon — the world's largest technology company …

The great divide  —  We're in the midst of a great four-year national debate on the size and reach of government, the future of the welfare state, indeed, the nature of the social contract between citizen and state.  The distinctive visions of the two parties — social-democratic vs. limited-government …

‘A self-inflicted wound of monumental stupidity’  —  There are, regrettably, plenty of prominent media voices who insist on characterizing the Republicans' debt-ceiling crisis as a disaster brought on by “both sides.”  Yes, David Gergen, I'm looking in your direction.

According to official letters obtained by The Daily Caller, the gay conservative group GOProud and the ultraconservative John Birch Society won't be co-sponsoring the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in 2012.  —  The decision was reached by a full vote of the American Conservative Union's …

All Over the Map  —  The Republican foreign policy consensus has collapsed.  Which candidate's worldview will prevail?  —  Mitt Romney delivered a speech at the annual summer retreat of the American Enterprise Institute in Beaver Creek, Colorado.  To coincide with the address …