Ann Romney's RNC task: Humanize Mitt  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Ann Romney will take to the podium here Tuesday night and try to accomplish what the sharpest minds in Republican politics have failed to do: present her stiff and awkward husband as a likable guy.  —  Her speech is considered second …

Rush Limbaugh: Hurricane Center is ‘Obama’  —  Rush Limbaugh, while repeatedly insisting he is “not alleging a conspiracy,” suggested Monday that the National Hurricane Center's forecast models for Tropical Storm Isaac were altered to help President Barack Obama and “cast a pall” over the Republican National Convention.

Smith Makes Abortion Gaffe (Listen to Audio)  —  Harrisburg — Republican Tom Smith spoke at the Pennsylvania press club luncheon Monday afternoon The defining moment occurred a few moments after the formal program when, asked about abortion amid a group of reporters, Smith seemed to suggest …

Prosecutor: Ga. murder case uncovers terror plot … LUDOWICI, Ga. (AP) — Four Army soldiers based in southeast Georgia killed a former comrade and his girlfriend to protect an anarchist militia group they formed that stockpiled assault weapons and plotted a range of anti-government attacks, prosecutors told a judge Monday.

Damn it, defeat this RINO power grab!  —  Conservatives of all stripes, especially Tea Party activists, this is an attempt to destroy your ability to influence the presidential and vice presidential nomination process in the Republican Party.  It is an attempt to eviscerate the input of state parties.

Arlen Specter hospitalized with a serious illness, friends confirm  —  Arlen Specter has been hospitalized with a serious illness, confirm friends of the longtime U.S. Senator.  One asked that people keep him in thoughts and prayers.  —  Specter, 82, announced in 2005 that he had Hodgkin's disease for which he underwent chemotherapy.

EXCLUSIVE: SEAL AD TO EXCORIATE OBAMA FOR BOWING TO FOREIGN LEADERS  —  The controversial super PAC Special Operations for America, led by former Navy SEALs, is set to release a blistering new ad against President Obama Tuesday at the Republican National Convention.

Sarah Palin: Dems addicted to ‘hope-ium’  —  Sarah Palin on Monday said Democrats who “still have that addiction to the hope-ium” President Barack Obama peddled four years ago need to “open their eyes” and vote for Mitt Romney this November.  —  “Some of us had [Obama] pegged four years ago.

Priebus on Chris Matthews: ‘He Made the Case for Us.’  —  Shortly before our chat, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus held a brief press “gaggle” in the media center, and briefly talked about his exchange with Chris Matthews on MSNBC's “Morning Joe” this morning.

Federal judge says Ohio must count disputed votes  —  A federal judge ruled Monday that Ohio must count improperly cast ballots this fall if the mistake is caused by an election worker rather than the voter, a small but potentially significant issue in an important presidential battleground state.

Newt Takes it to Chris Matthews on His ‘Racist Thinking’  —  A A  —  Chris Matthews, on Monday's Hardball, attempted to hit Newt Gingrich with the same old liberal line about the GOP using racial code words whether it's Mitt Romney talking about welfare reform or Gingrich calling Barack Obama the “food stamp president.”

Supporters of proposed constitutional amendments win both Supreme Court cases  —  The Republican-controlled Legislature won a pair of battles over proposed constitutional amendments before the Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday.  —  In a pair of 4-2 decisions, the court ruled:

GOP Casino Baron Sheldon Adelson Pledges $500,000 To Buy A Single House Seat  —  Sheldon Adelson, the multi-billionaire casino mogul who already spent at least $5 million to help keep Republicans in control of the House next year, reportedly pledged $500,000 to just one House candidate …

Paul Ryan Said Something That Should Force Him Off the Ticket, But You Probably Didn't Hear About It … Elections 2012 , Abortion , Elections 2012 , Paul Ryan , Video , Todd Akin , Method Of Conception , Paul Ryan Abortion , Paul Ryan Rape , Rape , Todd Akin Legitimate Rape , Todd Akin Rape , Politics News

Hero Reagan's Compromise Would Collide With Tea Party Certitude  —  Ronald Reagan remains the modern Republican Party's most durable hero.  His memory will be hailed as The Great Uncompromiser by those who insist the GOP must never flag in its support for smaller government, lower taxes and conservative social values.

Unilever sees ‘return to poverty’ in Europe  —  Unilever will adopt marketing strategies used in developing countries in order to drive future growth in Europe, as the head of its European business warned that poverty will rise in the region as a result of the debt crisis.