The ‘thank America last’ crowd  —  Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) issued a joint statement last night on the developments in Libya.  It's worth taking a look at the lede. … Remember hearing about the “blame America first” crowd?  Well, say hello to the “thank America last” crowd.

Trial lawyers prep for war on Perry  —  America's trial lawyers are getting ready to make the case against one of their biggest targets in years: Texas Gov. Rick Perry.  —  Among litigators, there is no presidential candidate who inspires the same level of hatred - and fear - as Perry …

In the Race to Succeed Weiner, a Surprising Anger at Obama  —  Of all the places to hear fulminations against President Obama, one of the least expected is the corner of 71st Avenue and Queens Boulevard, in the heart of a Congressional district that propelled Democrats like Geraldine A. Ferraro …

Wall Street Aristocracy Got $1.2T in Loans  —  Citigroup Inc. (C) and Bank of America Corp. (BAC) were the reigning champions of finance in 2006 as home prices peaked, leading the 10 biggest U.S. banks and brokerage firms to their best year ever with $104 billion of profits.

My Response To Buffett And Obama  —  Before you ask for more tax money from me, raise the $2.2 trillion you already collect each year more fairly and spend it more wisely.  —  Over the years, I have paid a significant portion of my income to the various federal, state and local jurisdictions …

‘She Will Run’  —  Ames, Iowa — Political organizer Peter Singleton tells National Review Online that Sarah Palin will likely launch a presidential campaign by the end of September.  “I believe that she will run,” he says.  “I can't see her sitting this election out.”

Attorney General of N.Y. Is Said to Face Pressure on Bank Foreclosure Deal  —  Eric T. Schneiderman, the attorney general of New York, has come under increasing pressure from the Obama administration to drop his opposition to a wide-ranging state settlement with banks over dubious foreclosure practices …

Just One Week Into His Campaign, Rick Perry Disavows His Nine-Month-Old Book  —  Last November, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) published Fed Up, a 240-page ode to tentherism, which argues that everything from child labor laws to the Clean Air Act to Medicare violates the Constitution.

DA filing to reveal new ‘bombshells’ about DSK accuser's credibility  —  She lied about sex.  She lied about money.  She even lied about lying.  —  That's the conclusion of Manhattan prosecutors, who promise they'll drop “bombshells” in detailing new credibility issues for the hotel maid …

Wall Street execs turn back on Obama, donate to Romney  —  Dozens of Wall Street executives who supported President Obama in 2008 have donated to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign this year.  —  According to a review of fundraising data, 67 people who work in the financial sector and live …

GOP challenge on Libya: Cheer or not to cheer?  —  The cheerleading for President Obama's role in the Libya intervention has begun, with former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell crowing on “Morning Joe” that “everyone mocked him, said it wouldn't work” - and now Muammar Qadhafi looks to be on the verge of defeat.

The Kids Are Not All Right  —  WHEN I sit with my two teenagers, and they are a million miles away, absorbed by the titillating roil of online social life, the addictive pull of video games and virtual worlds, as they stare endlessly at video clips and digital pictures of themselves and their friends, it feels like something is wrong.

Michelle Obama comes prepared for a beach day with Barack  —  Ah, family vacation time in an American August, a chance for members to rediscover the joys and pleasures of being together, whether they like it or not.  —  As soon as President Obama escaped his new million-dollar bus in the Midwest …

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