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 …

Jeb Bush to Obama: Stop blaming my brother  —  TAMPA — Jeb Bush says it's time for President Obama to stop blaming his brother for the nation's problems.  —  “I mean, look, the guy (Obama) was dealt a difficult hand, no question about it,” Bush said on NBC's Meet The Press.  “But he's had three years.

Mitt Romney Event — Drops $500k on Journey Concert  —  MITT ROMNEY EVENT  —  Drops $500k on Journey Concert  —  EXCLUSIVE  —  ANY WAY YOU WANT IT ... is exactly what the band Journey said when they were offered $500,000 to play a campaign event for Mitt Romney ... and they accepted, TMZ has learned.

Tropical Storm Isaac Should Rival Hurricane Katrina  —  By Michael Barak, Joseph Bastardi and Alan Lammey  —  On August 24th, we warned on Forbes that Tropical Storm Isaac could pose a threat to energy markets and even rival Hurricane Katrina in its destructive power (Could Tropical Storm Isaac Turn Into Another Katrina?).

Top GOP Operative: Republicans ‘Will Run A Write-In’ To Defeat Todd Akin  —  Republicans are desperate for Todd Akin to drop out of the Missouri Senate race after his controversial comments about legitimate rape.  Nearly every top Republican, including Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, have publicly called for him to quit.

Trump plays up birth certificate issue in Fla.  —  Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Sarasota, Fla., Donald Trump said Mitt Romney's birth certificate quip in Michigan last week may have been a lighthearted joke, but that the issue of President Obama's birth certificate is far from settled.

At RNC, Michael Steele is man who doesn't exist  —  TAMPA — Republicans gathered at the University Club in downtown Tampa Saturday night to honor GOP chairman Reince Priebus.  The event was sponsored by the Wisconsin delegation, which of course represents Priebus' home state …

Gritty N.J. city of Camden to scrap police department amid budget woes  —  Crime-ridden Camden, New Jersey - often referred to as the most dangerous city in the United States—is getting rid of its police department.  —  In the latest example of a cash-strapped municipality taking drastic measures …

Paul: I don't fully endorse Romney  —  In an interview with the New York Times, Ron Paul details the ask from GOP officials in return for a convention speaking slot, and explains why he declined. … Paul's refusal to play ball stands in contrast to his son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul …

Romney defends Swiss bank account  —  Mitt Romney defended his foreign investments in an interview aired Sunday, noting that his personal finances have followed all U.S. laws and he got no special tax savings from a Swiss bank account.  —  “Well, first of all, there was no reduction …

Mitt Romney Reaped Huge Tax Benefits Based On ‘Active’ Role At Bain Capital … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Elections 2012, Mitt Romney, Elections 2012, Taxes , Mitt Romney Bain Capital, Private Equity, ROMNEy TAXES, Tax Return, Bain, Bain Capital, Loopholes, Mitt Romney 2012, Mitt Romney 2012 …

Romney Touts Romneycare: I'm The Guy That Got ‘Health Care For All The Women And Men In My State’  —  Just two weeks after a Romney spokesperson faced a barrage of conservative criticism for highlighting the success of the governor's Massachusetts health care law, Romney himself bragged …

Interview: Romney blasts Obama for a ‘vituperative’ campaign  —  POWELL, Ohio - Mitt Romney calls campaign attacks by President Obama and his allies “vituperative” and “vicious” and “absurd” and “sad.”  Also: Effective.  —  “I do think that the president's campaign of personal vilification …

FCC eyes tax on Internet service  —  The Federal Communications Commission is eyeing a proposal to tax broadband Internet service.  —  The move would funnel money to the Connect America Fund, a subsidy the agency created last year to expand Internet access.  —  The FCC issued a request for comments on the proposal in April.