CNN Poll: Obama holds 7-point lead over Romney  —  Washington (CNN) - Mitt Romney's unfavorable rating is up, most Americans think the Republican presidential challenger favors the rich, and it appears the number of people who believe that the economy will not get better if Romney is elected …

Obama camp acknowledges knowing man's story (Updated)  —  Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki acknowledged Thursday that the campaign was no longer pleading ignorance about the story of a man who has appeared in both a super PAC ad and a campaign ad.  —  “No one is denying he was in one of our campaign ads.

Conservative Group Launches “Dump Romney” Campaign  —  “Disgusting and highly inappropriate,” says Ron Paul's campaign manager.  Also a bit late in the game.  —  A group called “Jews and Christians Together,” which backed Rick Santorum in the Republican primary, is sending a memo …

Obama: Let's repeat auto industry success with every manufacturing industry  —  PUEBLO, Colo. - President Obama, while villifying Mitt Romney for opposing the auto industry bailout, bragged about the success of his decision to provide government assistance and said he now wants to see every manufacturing industry come roaring back.

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 …

City officials pull the plug on vibrator giveaway, leaving thousands dissatisfied  —  They must have rubbed Mayor Bloomberg the wrong way.  —  City officials pulled the plug on a vibrator giveaway by the Trojan condom company yesterday, disappointing potentially thousands of pleasure-seeking women …

Joe Walsh Accused Of Racial Insensitivity For Referring To Obama As ‘Son’  —  Joe Walsh Accused Of Racial Insensitivity For Referring To Obama As ‘Son’  —  Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), who recently made news for criticizing his opponent's willingness to talk about her military service, has a new target: President Obama.

Super PAC Attack Ad Depicts Allen West Punching White Women  —  The American Sunrise PAC has launched its first attack ad against Congressman Allen West.  The political action committee was founded by the father of Congressman West's general election opponent Democrat Patrick Murphy.

State charges 4 McCotter ex-staffers with forging petitions, faking signatures in election fiasco  —  Four staffers of former U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter, R-Livonia were charged today in connection with the false nominating petitions that led to McCotter's departure from Congress.

Harry Reid's Mitt Romney Tax Source A Republican, Says Top Aide … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Elections 2012, Harry Reid , Mitt Romney, Elections 2012, Video, Mitt Romney Tax Returns, Harry Reid Mitt Romney, Harry Reid Mitt Romney Tax Returns, Harry Reid Source, Mitt Romney 2012 …

Unions deny Dems convention cash  —  The Democrats are hitting up unions — their go-to cash cows — for last-minute donations to help pay for next month's convention in Charlotte.  —  The response from some big unions?  Tough.  —  Union leaders insisted from the start that they wouldn't help fill …

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 …

Man with Bible threatens to rape woman during ‘Gay Day’ in Michigan  —  Police in Grand Rapids, Michigan say that there was nothing they could do after Bible-preaching protesters threatened to rape and murder pro-LGBT activists at a “Gay Day” event over the weekend.

Can Zimmerman win ‘stand your ground’ hearing?  —  Since the night he shot Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman has insisted he killed the unarmed 17-year-old to save himself.  —  If he's going to beat the murder charge against him at a “stand your ground” hearing, local lawyers said Thursday …

Modern-day McCarthyism regarding Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin  —  There are frequent bouts of McCarthyism in the capital, but the latest version has the special touch of being delivered by a guy named McCarthy.  —  This McCarthy isn't your average Joe: Andrew McCarthy's work is providing …

Landslide on the Horizon  —  When I read Nate Silver, Sean Trende, Charlie Cook, Jay Cost, and the others who make a profession of political prognostication, I pay close attention to their attempts to dissect the polling data and predict what is to come.  But I also take everything that they say with a considerable grain of salt.

Trump Declines Prime Time GOP Convention Speech  —  More ways to share...  Mixx  —  Stumbled  —  LinkedIn  —  Vine  —  Buzzflash  —  Newstrust  —  Technocrati  —  Forward Article  —  Donald Trump has declined an offer to deliver a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention …

Goods and Services Deficit Decreases in June 2012  —  The Nation's international trade deficit in goods and services decreased to $42.9 billion in June from $48.0 billion in May (revised), as exports increased and imports decreased.  — Exports increased to $185.0 billion in June from $183.3 billion in May (revised).

Exclusive: Democratic Party Platform Draft: “We Support Marriage Equality”  —  “We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law.  We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples,” platform language says.