Field of Dashed Dreams  —  The president was in “Afternoon of a Faun” mode, a rural deity playing on his panpipes in the woods.  Then, suddenly, he stood very still as he sensed electoral danger.  —  After assuring Obama that she was a supporter, an Iowa mother named Emily asked the president …

Obama dares Republicans to block his coming jobs package  —  The president, visiting the Midwest, pledges to send Congress a plan in September and challenges Republicans to block it.  Not all Democrats are comfortable with his hard-line stance.  —  Reporting from Davenport, Iowa …

Crashing the Tea Party  —  GIVEN how much sway the Tea Party has among Republicans in Congress and those seeking the Republican presidential nomination, one might think the Tea Party is redefining mainstream American politics.  —  But in fact the Tea Party is increasingly swimming …

Cantor decries brinksmanship, urges unity among House GOP on spending  —  House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) urged rank-and-file Republicans Wednesday to avoid brinksmanship and “minimize uncertainty” surrounding 2012 spending and the deficit supercommittee, in order to promote economic growth.

The sad facts behind Rick Perry's Texas miracle  —  Rick Perry's Texas is Ross Perot's Mexico come north.  Through a range of enticements we more commonly associate with Third World nations — low wages, no benefits, high rates of poverty, scant taxes, few regulations and generous corporate subsidies …

Wirch, Holperin win Senate recalls; GOP retains 17-16 majority  —  By Tom Tolan, Patrick Marley and Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel  —  The six-month saga that was Wisconsin's state Senate recall movement ended Tuesday with Democrats retaining two seats - and Republicans still in possession …

Canucklehead Obama bus-ted!  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama is barnstorming the heartland to boost US jobs in a taxpayer-financed luxury bus the government had custom built — in Canada, The Post has learned.  —  The $1.1 million vehicle, one of two that Quebec-based Prevost sold the government …

Christie Is Flat And Obama Is Down In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Are Not Worried About Gov's Health  —  New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie stops his slide and flattens out with a 47 - 46 percent job approval rating from New Jersey voters, his best score in four months …

GOP Bigs Push Paul Ryan to Run  —  Mitch Daniels, Jeb Bush, John Boehner, Jim Jordan, and Bill Bennett encourage Ryan to run for president.  —  As Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan comes to a final decision about running for president, several top national conservatives are encouraging him to join the race.

Rick Perry's bad, Obama-style medicine  —  Scroll for updates...  Governor Gardasil, R-Merck.  —  Beltway types are obsessing over GOP Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign trail comments about the Fed and Ben Bernanke.  —  Blah x 3.  —  I'm far less aggravated by Gov. Perry's injudicious toss-off remarks …

Aloha, Mr. Gingrich!  —  Next week, Newt Gingrich is heading for Hawaii, according to a schedule his campaign released this morning.  —  While there, Saturday through at least Monday, Gingrich holds two public events, a meeting with local activists at a church in Wailuku and a talk at a prep school in Makawao.

This is a developing story as police are still investigating the shooting of a non-union business owner, John King, by what appears to be a union assailant.  —  With around 25 employees, John King owns one of the largest non-union electrical contracting businesses in the Toledo, Ohio area.

Renegade Miami football booster spells out illicit benefits to players  —  Nevin Shapiro and a second source said this photo of the booster and Kellen Winslow Jr. was taken in Shapiro's VIP section of Opium Garden nightclub in 2003.  —  KEARNY, N.J. - A University of Miami booster …

Scores show students aren't ready for college  —  75% may need remedial classes  —  **FILE** Students at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Ill., walk between buildings on campus.  (Associated Press)  —  For many students, getting a high school diploma doesn't mark the end of a high school education.

Abercrombie to ‘Jersey Shore’: Ditch our brand  —  NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Mike “the Situation” Sorrentino may have to find some new attire for his “gym, tan, laundry” routine.  —  On Tuesday, clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch ( ANF) said it would offer “substantial payment” …

Firearms from ATF sting linked to 11 more violent crimes  —  Guns from Operation Fast and Furious were found at scenes in Arizona and Texas, the Justice Department acknowledges, widening the scope of the danger posed by the program.  —  Bill Newell, special agent in charge of ATF Phoenix …