Rick Warren: Chick-fil-A's owner told me they set a new world record in sales today  —  And the day's not over yet.  —  Somewhere, a Burger King ad man's toying with the idea of having “The King” declare himself “100% pro-life.” … Not a word about today's activities has been whispered …

Political Memo: Tea Party Influence Could Reshape Senate Republicans  —  WASHINGTON — The Tea Party is very much alive in the drive for Republican control of the Senate, portending a potential shake-up in the mind-set of the chamber.  The easy Republican primary victory in Texas on Tuesday of Ted Cruz …

On the Distributional Effects of Base-Broadening Income Tax Reform  —  This paper examines the tradeoffs among three competing goals that are inherent in a revenue-neutral income tax reform—maintaining tax revenues, ensuring a progressive tax system, and lowering marginal tax rates.

Senor 1, Mitchell 0  —  Romney senior adviser defended Gov. Mitt Romney's comments about the effect of culture on Palestine — rather than economics — in an exchange with Andrea Mitchell Wednesday on “Morning Joe.”  —  ANDREA MITCHELL: Dan, if Gov. Romney had made those points in that speech …

Exclusive: Obama authorizes secret U.S. support for Syrian rebels  —  (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing U.S. support for rebels seeking to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government, U.S. sources familiar with the matter said.

The Obama Campaign: Like Demagoguery, Only Dumber  —  We have been writing for quite a while about the desperate tone of the Obama campaign's fundraising emails.  Lately, it has gotten to the point where even the New York Times has tut-tutted a bit.  The latest came today from Nancy Pelosi.

GOP lawmakers equate birth-control mandate with Pearl Harbor, 9/11  —  House Republicans called the Obama administration's birth-control mandate “religious bigotry” and compared it to the events of Pearl Harbor and Sept. 11, 2001.  —  The heated remarks came at a press conference marking the mandate's first day.

Wendy's Sign Angers Liberals; Wendy's Tweet Angers Conservatives  —  Moderates remain uninsulted, but give it a few hours.  —  This message was displayed on numerous North Carolina Wendy's signs this morning.  —  Source: i.imgur.com  —  The sign, and its implied support of Chick-fil-A's stance …

Thirteen States and D.C. Give Obama Majority Approval  —  Highest ratings in Hawaii, Rhode Island; Lowest in Utah, Wyoming, Alaska  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A majority of residents in 13 states and the District of Columbia approved of the job Barack Obama did as president during the first six months of 2012.

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in June suggests that economic activity decelerated somewhat over the first half of this year.  Growth in employment has been slow in recent months, and the unemployment rate remains elevated.

House conservatives determined to slash spending relent on compromise deal  —  Posted by CNN Senior Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh  —  Washington (CNN) - A congressional deal announced this week by House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid …

Michele Bachmann: Dead author Gore Vidal's ‘snotty, mocking attitude’ made me a conservative  —  Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann told The Daily Caller Wednesday that author Gore Vidal's “snotty, mocking attitude” helped her realize she was a conservative.  —  Vidal died on Tuesday of pneumonia.

Twitter Launches Political Index: The Twitter Pulse Of The Election  —  The Twitter Political Index could be one of the most powerful social media tools of the election.  —  Right now, if you want to know how the country feels about Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, you have to rely …