Mitt Romney's Own 2002 Testimony Undermines Bain Departure Claim … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Elections 2012, Mitt Romney, Elections 2012, Video, Mitt Romney Bain, Mitt Romney Bain Capital, Bain, Bain Capital, Mitt Romney 2012, Mitt Romney Bain Departure, Romney Bain Capital, Politics News

ROMNEY NARROWS VP CHOICES; CONDI EMERGES AS FRONTRUNNER  —  Late Thursday evening, Mitt Romney's presidential campaign launched a new fundraising drive, ‘Meet The VP’ — just as Romney himself has narrowed the field of candidates to a handful, sources reveal.

Obama reflects on his biggest mistake as president  —  (CBS News) President Obama's biggest mistake during his first term, he told CBS News in an exclusive interview, has been putting policy over storytelling.  —  Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama sat down Thursday with “CBS This Morning” …

Young U.S. Voters' Turnout Intentions Lagging  —  Black turnout intentions look similar to 2008 on relative basis  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Fifty-eight percent of U.S. registered voters aged 18 to 29 say they will “definitely vote” this fall, well below the current national average of 78% …

D.C. officer investigated after comments about Michelle Obama alleged  —  A D.C. police officer who worked as a motorcycle escort for White House officials and other dignitaries was moved to administrative duty Wednesday after he allegedly was overheard making threatening comments toward Michelle Obama …

Post-Stanford poll finds more Americans believe climate change is happening  —  Most Americans say they believe temperatures around the world are going up and that weather patterns have become more unstable in the past few years, according to a new poll from The Washington Post and Stanford University.

Obama weakens welfare reform (again): Here are some quick initial reactions to the administration's apparent surprising (and possibly illegal) attempt to grant waivers of the work requirements written, after great effort, into the 1996 welfare reform law.  I'm posting Thursday night; the story should break for real tomorrow (Friday).

U.S. Concerned as Syria Moves Chemical Stockpile  —  WASHINGTON—Syria has begun moving parts of its vast arsenal of chemical weapons out of storage facilities, U.S. officials said, in a development that has alarmed many in Washington.  —  The country's undeclared stockpiles of sarin nerve agent …

Gay marriage and family values  —  Our view: Episcopal blessing a sign of growing acceptance of same-sex unions  —  The Episcopal Church took a major step toward recognizing same-sex unions this week when delegates at its triennial General Convention in Indianapolis voted overwhelmingly …

PPP: Cruz Leads Dewhurst by 4  —  Former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz has taken a four-point lead over Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst in the Republican Senate primary runoff race, according to a PPP poll released Thursday.  PPP found that 49 percent of likely Texas GOP runoff voters support Cruz …

In Latest Data on Economy, Experts See Signs of Pickup  —  WASHINGTON — Despite the recent run of disappointing economic data, a broad range of experts and forecasters expect the economy to improve slightly in coming months, thanks to lower oil prices and new signs of life from sectors like automobiles and housing.

Rep. Jesse Jackson's political future in question  —  YURI GRIPAS/REUTERS - Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.) walks up the steps of the U.S. Capitol in this photo from Dec. 2, 2011.  Jackson has not been seen in public since June 8.  —  Hours before Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination …

Democrats moving ahead on campaign finance legislation without McCain  —  Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) will move ahead with his campaign finance legislation without Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the father of modern reform.  —  The Senate will vote Monday to advance a measure forcing …