Romney Campaign Said To Ask Scott To Downplay Job Gains  —  Mitt Romney's presidential campaign asked Florida Governor Rick Scott to tone down his statements heralding improvements in the state's economy because they clash with the presumptive Republican nominee's message that the nation …

Executive privilege poses tricky situation for Obama  —  View Photo Gallery — Eric Holder isn't the first: Other high-profile officials held in contempt: Eric Holder isn't the first government official who has been found in contempt of Congress.  Congressional Research Service compiled …

Distaste for Health Care Law Reflects Spending on Ads  —  DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — Erika Losse is precisely the kind of person President Obama's signature health care law is intended to help.  She has no health insurance.  She relies on her mother to buy her a yearly checkup as a Christmas gift …

Supreme Court rules against SEIU in dispute over union fee hike  —  The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that unions must give nonmembers an immediate chance to object to unexpected fee increases or special assessments that all workers are required to pay in closed-shop situations.

Romney tells Hispanic group Obama takes them for granted  —  Mitt Romney accused President Obama of taking Hispanic voters for granted in a major address Thursday to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.  —  The presumptive GOP presidential nominee said Obama …

Rove: Pelosi ‘sounds like Mad Red Queen’ with arrest threat  —  Karl Rove said Rep. Nancy Pelosi was “dead wrong” when she suggested Wednesday that she could have had him arrested.  —  “The only way I could have been arrested is if the House adopted the resolution, which it did not,” …

Poll shows Obama, Romney in statistical dead heat in Michigan; state called ‘purple’  —  According to poll, Michigan could be pivotal state for Obama, Romney in upcoming election race  —  Michigan looks like pivotal state for Romney, Obama  —  TROY, Mich. -

Former KKK Leader David Duke Endorses Charles Barron [Video]  —  Dr. David Duke in his video endorsing Charles Barron for Congress.  (Photo: YouTube)  —  Former KKK Grand Wizard and member of the Louisiana Legislature David Duke released a video yesterday endorsing Charles Barron in his race …

C.I.A. Said to Aid in Steering Arms to Syrian Opposition  —  WASHINGTON — A small number of C.I.A. officers are operating secretly in southern Turkey, helping allies decide which Syrian opposition fighters across the border will receive arms to fight the Syrian government, according to American officials and Arab intelligence officers.

A Congressional Exit Interview  —  Most politicians leave Congress on the wrong end of an election.  Not so Senators Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota), and Congressmen Gary Ackerman (D-New York) and Geoff Davis (R-Kentucky).  They all decided they'd had enough …

Jersey Boys  —  The governor and the Boss—a tale of politics, rock and roll, and unrequited love  —  CHRIS CHRISTIE IS, even in moments of tranquility—of which, in his life, there seem to be none—a torqued-up, joyously belligerent, easily baited, and preternaturally exuberant son of New Jersey …

John Bryson resigns as Commerce secretary  —  John Bryson resigned as Commerce Secretary, calling an end to the medical leave of absence he'd been on since a seizure caused his involvement in two car accidents in early June.  —  “I have come to the conclusion that I need to step …

The 20 Hottest Conservative Women In The New Media (2012 Edition)  —  Welcome to the 4th annual 20 hottest conservative women in the new media.  Besides myself, this year's new slate of judges included, 1) Ali Akbar from Vice and Victory and National Bloggers Club.  2) Steven Crowder.

4 Pinocchios for Obama's newest anti-Romney ad  —  “Running for governor, Mitt Romney campaigned as a job creator.  But as a corporate raider, he shipped jobs to China and Mexico.  As governor, he did the same thing: Outsourcing state jobs to India.”  —  The Obama campaign apparently loves …

GOP Holds Early Turnout Edge, But Little Enthusiasm for Romney  —  Obama Better Liked, Romney Ahead on Economy  —  OVERVIEW  —  Less than five months before Election Day, voters are not as engaged with the presidential campaign as they were at this point four years ago, when interest in the campaign reached record levels.

The End of the Euro Is Not About Austerity  —  Simon Johnson is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management and co-author of “White House Burning: The Founding Fathers, Our National Debt, and Why It Matters to You.”

Democratic Congressman Schools DEA Agent Over Marijuana During Congressional Hearing  —  Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) made drug reformers proud on Wednesday when he went after Drug Enforcement Administration official Michele Leonhart during a hearing on DEA oversight.

Obama Celebrity Fundraiser Barrage Worries Some in Hollywood  —  Some of the president's most ardent entertainment industry supporters tell THR they are concerned that his increasing reliance on stars and celebrity contests could backfire.  —  Barack Obama's recent barrage …

Breaking Now  —  We've got the first nuggets out of Mitt Romney big immigration speech coming later today.  And the gist seems to be that he's going to duck the question of whether he's for or against, would keep or change President Obama's new mini-Dream Act.  More soon.  —  Josh Marshall