Romney Jokes: 'No One's Ever Asked To See My Birth Certificate'  —  At a campaign stop in his home state of Michigan Friday, Mitt Romney made a joke referencing the continued doubts about President Obama's birth certificate raised by Romney supporters like Donald Trump.

Rubio to Be Bumped?  —  The Republican National Committee is making big changes to the lineup of speakers at the convention next week in Tampa to ensure that broadcast networks cover Ann Romney's speech.  Among the changes most seriously under consideration: moving Marco Rubio to Tuesday night …

Gunman kills coworker and bystander at Empire State Building, wounds 7 others before cop shoots him  —  Today at the Empire State Building after four people were shot.  —  A disgruntled worker stalked a colleague down a Midtown street, shot him dead and then turned his weapon …

Deconstructing A “Devastating” Interview  —  So Republicans—even the normally clear-eyed David Frum—are gloating today over an Anderson Cooper interview of DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz that supposedly leaves her shivering in embarrassment and exposed as a liar.

The 14 Most Important Sex Ads Of The Republican National Convention  —  “Let's compare PAC's!”  Is Tampa America's sketchiest city?  —  Rosie Gray  —  an hour ago  —  26 responses

Barack Obama asks eurozone to keep Greece in until after election day  —  US officials are worried that if Greece exits the eurozone, it will damage President's election hopes  —  NOTE: WE DO NOT STORE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS(ES) BUT YOUR IP ADDRESS WILL BE LOGGED TO PREVENT ABUSE OF THIS FEATURE.

Prop 8 Opponents Urge Supreme Court To Pass On Appeal  —  The high-powered lawyers for the gay and lesbian couples challenging California's Proposition 8 say their case is “attractive” for Supreme Court review.  Nonetheless, they say the high court should pass on the case.

Cardinal sin: Bam blew off DNC blessing  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama turned down a chance to have Timothy Cardinal Dolan deliver a prayer at the Democratic National Convention after Dolan told Democrats he would be “grateful” to deliver a blessing in Charlotte.

The Age of Niallism: Ferguson and the Post-Fact World  —  Bluster cannot make untruths true.  —  (Reuters)  —  People who believe facts are nothing think you'll fall for anything.  Call it Niallism.  —  This is my last word (well, last words) on Niall Ferguson, whose Newsweek cover story arguing …

Obama Still Wins on Likability; Romney, on the Economy  —  Obama gains on healthcare and taxes since July  —  PRINCETON, NJ — As the two-week period of back-to-back presidential nominating conventions gets underway next Monday, an Aug. 20-22 USA Today/Gallup poll underscores the strengths …

Ryan's Biggest Mistake  —  A few years ago, President Obama established a debt commission that was led by Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles and had a group of eminences, including Representative Paul Ryan.  —  When that commission came up with its proposal, some conservative Republicans …