Are the Democrats Delusional On Abortion?  —  The Democrats apparently think they have hit the jackpot with Todd Akin's moment of stupidity, but I'm not so sure.  How, exactly, are they going to take advantage of Akin's blunder?  By talking ceaselessly about abortion.

Lubbock Co. Judge warns of potential danger if Obama is re-elected  —  Lubbock County Judge Tom Head and Commissioner Mark Heinrich went into great detail Monday night on FOX 34 News @ Nine about why it is necessary to raise the tax rate by 1.7 cents the next fiscal year.

MISSOURI: THE ‘SHOW ME ANOTHER G.O.P. CANDIDATE’ STATE  —  Relying on Todd Akin's sense of decency has not worked.  Within hours of his idiotic comments about “legitimate rape,” Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS pulled out millions of dollars in funding for the Missouri Senate race.  Akin didn't get the hint.

Sheriff candidate says he wouldn't reject deadly force to stop abortions  —  Candidate says he believes elective, late-term abortions aren't lawful  —  Candidate's abortion comments draw criticism  —  A Republican candidate for Hillsborough County Sheriff said Wednesday …

MITT ROMNEY SETS GOAL OF NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BY 2020  —  A crucial component of Mitt Romney's Plan for a Stronger Middle Class is a comprehensive energy strategy to achieve North American energy independence by 2020 and establish America as an energy superpower in the 21st century.

Polls Say Medicare Is Key Issue in 3 Swing States  —  The Romney-Ryan proposal to reshape Medicare by giving future beneficiaries fixed amounts of money to buy health coverage is deeply unpopular in Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to new polls that found that more likely voters …

GOP takes tough platform approach  —  Filled with strict stances, most conservative plan in party history to be unveiled  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Republicans next week will likely adopt what veteran platform writers said is the most conservative platform in their history after the drafting committee voted …

‘O-I-H-O’: Barack Obama's Dan Quayle moment  —  President Barack Obama finally found the 57th state, and it's spelled O-I-H-O.  —  To be fair, Obama and his pals finally got it right here: … Some can't believe the President would be so stupid: … Great point!  Except, not really:

Marco Rubio on how he learned he wasn't Romney's VP pick; kind words for Nelson, harsh ones for Akin  —  Republican Sen. Marco Rubio told a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches luncheon crowd today about the phone conversation he had with Mitt Romney the day before Romney announced Paul Ryan as his running mate.

Like a Boss  —  When it comes to being a rich guy, Mitt Romney should own it  —  What do women want?  The conventional biological wisdom is that men select mates for fertility, while women select for status — thus the commonness of younger women's pairing with well-established older men but the rarity of the converse.

Michelle Obama: ‘Get to the Polls on November the 2’  —  Michelle Obama, speaking yesterday at a campaign event in Florida: … The presidential election this year is November 6.

The Lost Decade of the Middle Class  —  Fewer, Poorer, Gloomier  —  CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW  —  As the 2012 presidential candidates prepare their closing arguments to America's middle class, they are courting a group that has endured a lost decade for economic well-being.

Rick Warren cancels Obama-Romney forum at Saddleback Church  —  LAKE FOREST - Rick Warren, Saddleback Church's pastor, announced Wednesday that a civil forum planned with President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the church has been canceled …

AP Exclusive: Energy loan watchdog an Obama donor  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — A veteran Wall Street executive who performed an independent review that exonerated the Obama administration's program of loans to energy companies contributed $52,500 to re-elect President Barack Obama in the months since completing …

First Thoughts: Not your ordinary August poll  —  This isn't your ordinary August poll; it looks more like October... The poll's three macro-conclusions: 1) Obama has the advantage heading into the conventions, 2) he's still below 50%, 3) Romney has work to do repairing his image …

GOP lawmakers rip ATF double dip  —  Two key Republicans ripped the Obama administration on Wednesday for allowing an official involved in Operation Fast and Furious to draw a six-figure salary from JPMorgan even as he received a regular government paycheck.

Zing!  Romney on Obama: ‘Bless his heart’; Update: No, it's not racist … Oh, yes, he did.  He dropped the most awesome insult ever. … Swoon!  Romney's point is, of course, correct and needs repeating.  But the “bless his heart” is getting more play as of now; it was the delicious final touch on the pro-freedom message.

Dan Savage and Brian Brown Debate Gay Marriage Over the Dinner Table  —  THE ancient Greek symposium, which combined drinking with elevated discussion, was often held in a private house; at Parisian salons, conversation frequently took place in the bedroom.  Once upon a time …