Romney spokesperson cites Massachusetts health law  —  A Mitt Romney spokesperson offered an unusual counterattack Tuesday to an ad in which a laid-off steelworker blames the presumptive GOP nominee for his family losing health care: If that family had lived in Massachusetts …

Women, white people: Is that what campaign 2012 is coming down to?  —  President Obama appeals to women by pushing the issue of access to contraceptives, while Mitt Romney accuses him of watering down welfare reform — an issue that tends to stir up feelings about race among whites.

Why Not Paul Ryan?  —  Romney can win a big election over big issues.  He'll lose a small one.  —  The whispering over Mitt Romney's choice of a running mate is getting louder, and along with it we are being treated to the sotto voce angst of the GOP establishment: Whatever else Mitt does …

Exclusive: Justice Ginsburg shrugs off rib injury  —  (Reuters) - Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 79, the eldest member of the bench and leader of its liberal wing, said she cracked two ribs in June but met all her work obligations and remains committed to staying on the court at least three more years.

Man who claimed he was beaten for being gay admits he made it all up after police receive video of him hitting HIS OWN head after back-flipping off a curb  —  A young man who told police he was beaten up in a would-be hate crime appeared in court today admitting that he made the entire incident up.

Romney Campaign Carefully Chooses Speakers for Convention  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Newt Gingrich hoped to get a coveted speaking slot at the Republican National Convention.  Instead the Romney campaign will have him teach a series of workshops they have nicknamed Newt University.

Exclusive Romney Interview: On Humility and Tax Returns  —  Much of the case you make to voters is that you're a successful entrepreneur and a successful executive, and thus you'll make a successful president.  Why were you so successful as a businessman?  —  Well, I had the privilege …

Despite GOP protests, 9th Circuit to go through with costly Hawaii conference  —  Sens. Sessions, Grassley had complained that the conference could cost $1 million or more at a time of fiscal crisis.  —  The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals told Senate Republicans late last week …

Chilling Effect: Incentive to Slow Climate Change Drives Output of Harmful Gases  —  A view of a coolant-producing factory in Jiangsu Province, China.  Some manufacturers of gases used in air-conditioning and refrigeration have earned millions by accumulating emissions credits from the destruction …

Jon Stewart Rips ‘Conservatives And Their Media Division’ (Fox News) For Exaggerating Voter Fraud  —  Jon Stewart took on the issue of voter fraud tonight, an epidemic he deemed to be “bigger than ringworm and less than Bieber fever.”  He noticed how many conservatives have been warning …

Economists to Romney campaign: That's not what our research says  —  On Tuesday, the Romney campaign responded to the fire it's taking from economic analysts by unleashing some artillery of their own.  They released a paper by four decorated economists associated with the campaign …

Breast-Cancer Group Shakes Up Ranks  —  Susan G. Komen for the Cure shook up its top ranks Wednesday, announcing the resignation of its president and creating a new figurehead role for its founder, even as it looked to fill other senior positions in the wake of a controversial decision involving Planned Parenthood.

Criminal charges coming Thursday in allegedly fraudulent McCotter petitions  —  Attorney General Bill Schuette is scheduled to announce criminal charges Thursday arising out of the investigation of allegedly fraudulent petitions submitted in the failed attempt to qualify former U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter for the ballot.

Over 100 Million Now Receiving Federal Welfare  —  A new chart set to be released later today by the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee details a startling statistic: “Over 100 Million People in U.S. Now Receiving Some Form Of Federal Welfare.”  —  “The federal government …

Report: Rep. Steve King mulling bill to repeal everything Obama has signed  —  Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), an outspoken critic of just about everything President Obama supports, is considering introducing a bill that would repeal everything Obama has signed into law.