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 …

'I think I'll end up being' in the Senate  —  Denver (CNN) - Ohio Sen. Rob Portman threw cold water on the idea of becoming Mitt Romney's running mate on Wednesday, saying he thinks he'll “end up staying” in the Senate.  —  “I just got elected two years ago.

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 …

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.

Elizabeth Warren daughter secretly behind effort by Mass to register 500k welfare recipients (Update - Court docs added)  —  The news broke today that Massachusetts has taken extraordinary efforts in response to a lawsuit by a former ACORN affiliated, Soros-funded group to register 500,000 welfare recipients …

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.

Romney Chased By Jewish Wedding Party On Harrowing Drive Through New Jersey  —  Reporters are taken for an exciting ride — including 90+ MPH speeds and an Orthodox Jewish wedding.  This bride is pissed.  —  Image by Charles Dharapak / AP  —  Mitt Romney's motorcade took a harrowing drive through New Jersey this afternoon.

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 …

Morning Jay: The Race Is Romney's to Win  —  The conventional wisdom in the presidential race is that President Obama is a clear favorite.  We hear this from the pundits in the press, we see it in the InTrade odds, and various predictive models built around the polling averages tell us this.

GAME OVER: WIKIPEDIA LOCKS DOWN POTENTIAL VP PAGES IN RESPONSE TO COLBERT MISCHIEF-MAKING  —  The act of observing something can sometimes change the thing being observed.  Case in point: my observation on Monday that we might be able to get useful clues as to the identity …

Mitt Romney Started Bain Capital With Money From Families Tied To Death Squads … FOLLOW:  —  Elections 2012, Mitt Romney, Elections 2012, Video, Arena Party, El Salvador, Mitt Romney Bain Capital, Roberto D'Aubuisson, Bain Capital, Death Squads, Mitt Romney 2012, Mitt Romney Bain Investors …

Incentive to Slow Climate Change Drives Output of Harmful Gases  —  RANJIT NAGAR, India — When the United Nations wanted to help slow climate change, it established what seemed a sensible system.  —  Industrial gases were rated based on their power to warm the atmosphere.

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.

White House told authorities not to crack down on ‘Occupy’ protesters, documents show  —  The Obama administration told law enforcement authorities to go easy on Occupy Wall Street protesters, even though they were violating local laws, according to documents obtained by watchdog group Judicial Watch.

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 …

Let's Have a Maximum Income  —  Rich people across the Western world are anxiously watching France, where president Francois Hollande is vowing to raise the top tax rate—on earnings over $1.2 million a year—to 75 percent.  Tres bien, Mr. Hollande.  The problem with this otherwise fine idea …

Pussy Riot trial hears closing statement  —  Punk band's members claim they are freer than those carrying out their prosecution as judge sets 17 August for verdict  —  Three members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot said Vladimir Putin's Russia was the one on trial as they delivered closing arguments …

The GOP's Kamikaze Candidate  —  I spent most of July in the upper Midwest and was reminded that not everyone in America passes the summer fixated on politics.  They go to the beach, catch fish, grill burgers, eat ice cream, try to stay cool, see The Dark Knight Rises without recognizing …