Former Gov. Charlie Crist: Here's why I'm backing Barack Obama  —  I've studied, admired and gotten to know a lot of leaders in my life.  Across Florida, in Washington and around the country, I've watched the failure of those who favor extreme rhetoric over sensible compromise …

Romney pulls '08 clip for Medicare pushback  —  It's the weekend before a political convention in Florida and both presidential campaigns are escalating the air war over — what else?  — Medicare.  —  After the Obama campaign released its second attack ad yesterday accusing Mitt Romney …

Hurricane impending, Republicans cancel first day of convention  —  Updated 7:10 p.m. - TAMPA, Fla. — Republicans announced Saturday that they had effectively canceled the first day of its convention for safety concerns associated with an impending hurricane.

Jeb Bush: GOP ‘Needs To Change... Reach Out To A Much Broader Audience Than We Do Today’  —  This morning on NBC, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush delivered a pointed critique of the modern Republican party.  Bush acknowledged that that the GOP “needs to change” and “reach out to a much broader audience.”

NYT's Abramson rebuts Brisbane charge  —  The executive editor of the New York Times is disputing an accusation of liberal bias made by her very own public editor, Arthur Brisbane.  —  In his final column for the Times, Brisbane wrote that his fellow staffers “share a kind of political …

Neil Armstrong |  1930-2012: Neil Armstrong, First Man on Moon, Dies at 82  —  Neil Armstrong, who made the “giant leap for mankind” as the first human to set foot on the moon, died on Saturday.  He was 82.  —  His family said in a statement that the cause was “complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.”

NEWS FLASH  —  ALLEN WEST: OBAMA IS ‘SERVING UP A CRAP SANDWICH WITH A SMILE’ |  During an appearance on Fox News on Saturday morning, Rep. Allen West (R-FL) accused Obama of serving up a “crap sandwich.”  “Let's be very honest and let's put this in military vernacular …

So, Mitt, what do you really believe?  —  Too much about the Republican candidate for the presidency is far too mysterious  —  WHEN Mitt Romney was governor of liberal Massachusetts, he supported abortion, gun control, tackling climate change and a requirement that everyone should buy health insurance …

Despite working-class image, Ryan comes from family of wealth  —  Paul Ryan was born into one of the most prominent families in Janesville, Wis., and his rise to political power and financial stability was boosted by family money and connections.  —  Paul Ryan, speaking in Ohio …

Romney Adopts Harder Message for Last Stretch  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney is heading into his nominating convention with his advisers convinced he needs a more combative footing against President Obama in order to appeal to white, working-class voters and to persuade them that he is the best answer to their economic frustrations.

Missouri conservatives rally to Akin, blast Republican “establishment”  —  (Reuters) - Missouri conservatives say they are rallying around U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin despite his controversial comments about rape because they are outraged that “establishment” Republican Party leaders tried to railroad him out of the race.