Deputies: RNC protestor arrested with machete strapped to his leg  —  TAMPA —  A Republican National Convention protestor was arrested while he allegedly carried a machete strapped to his leg, according to deputies.  —  According to Hillsborough County Sheriff's officials, Jason T. Wilson …

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?).

Mitt Romney outlines his governing plan to POLITICO  —  POWELL, Ohio — Mitt Romney conceded President Barack Obama has succeeded in making him a less likable person, but he offered a defiant retort to those hoping he will open up this week: “I am who I am.”

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 …

Poll: Obama, Romney neck-and-neck ahead of party conventions  —  Despite the attention on these other issues, both campaigns recognize the dominance of the economy and have worked to gain an advantage.  The Post-ABC News survey contains some good and bad news for both candidates.

Christie chose NJ over Mitt's VP role due to fears that they'd lose: sources  —  Gov. Chris Christie wasn't willing to give up the New Jersey statehouse to be Mitt Romney's running mate because he doubted they'd win, The Post has learned.  —  Romney's top aides had demanded Christie step …

Tracking Poll Wave 1: Latino vote uphill climb for Romney  —  By Pilar Marrero, impreMedia  —  Just before the beginning of the Republican National Convention in Tampa presidential candidate Mitt Romney continues to overwhelmingly lose the Latino vote and has low levels of favorability among the majority of the Latino electorate.

Republicans Worry About Keeping Factions Reined In  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney arrives here this week to accept his nomination from the increasingly disparate coalition of factions known as the Republican Party, confronting the challenge of unifying them behind him and — should he win …

CHART: How Ending The High End Bush Tax Cuts Saves Nearly $1 Trillion  —  President Obama has promised to end the Bush tax cuts on income in excess of $250,000 when they expire at the end of the year, with his aides saying that he is “100 percent committed” to preventing another extension.

17 Afghans beheaded in insurgent attack on party  —  KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Insurgents beheaded 17 civilians in a Taliban-controlled area of southern Afghanistan, apparently because they attended a dance party that flouted the extreme brand of Islam embraced by the militants, officials said Monday.

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 …

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.

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 …