Republican convention helps Romney pull even with Obama  —  (Reuters) - Republican Mitt Romney pulled even with President Barack Obama in a Reuters/Ipsos poll on Wednesday, getting a boost from his party's nominating convention in Tampa this week.  —  In a four-day rolling poll …

Chris Christie's flop at the GOP convention  —  TAMPA, Fla. — There is no mistaking what a successful keynote speech for Chris Christie would have looked and sounded like.  There would have been an electric reaction from the crowd in the convention hall.  It would have been followed by waves …

Paul Ryan Is the Newest New Nixon, a Moocher Belied  —  SPENCER PLATT/GETTY (RYAN, SCOTT WALKER); MARK WILSON/GETTY (PROTESTOR, RICE); WIN MCNAMEE/GETTY (TELEPROMPTER, SKYBOX)  —  Clockwise from top left: A protestor held a sheet reading VAGINA — CAN'T SAY IT, DON'T LEGISTLATE …

Condoleezza Rice Hits Obama Policies … In a clear highlight of the evening, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave a moving address to delegates at the Republican convention, broadly criticizing President Barack Obama's record without ever mentioning him by name.

Yahoo News fires David Chalian  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yahoo News has fired Washington bureau chief David Chalian after he was caught on a hot-mic during an online video broadcast today saying that Mitt Romney and his wife Ann had no problem with African Americans suffering as a result of Hurricane Isaac …

Ann Romney, me and her convention speech  —  Last night on Fox's special coverage of the Republican Convention, I said that Ann Romney reminded me of a corporate wife during her speech.  In the hours since I made that comment, I have gotten a lot of static and a flurry of negative feedback through Twitter and Facebook.

Appeal court: Lester is out  —  The Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach today ruled that second-degree murder suspect George Zimmerman deserves a new judge.  —  A three-judge panel voted 2-1 that Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. in Sanford went too far when, among other things, he wrote that Zimmerman is a manipulator.

Great Moments in CNN Euphemisms  —  Coming right off Ryan's speech Wolf Blitzer and Erin Burnett seemed unable not to mention that Ryan's speech had well ... contained a lot of pretty huge fibs.  So euphemisms to the rescue.  The transcript ...

Susana Martinez RNC speech transcript (text, video)  —  A transcript of remarks made by Gov. Susana Martinez, as prepared for delivery.  —  “Thank you and good evening.  —  On behalf of the great state of New Mexico, let me express my gratitude for being invited to speak tonight.

Romney Party Yacht Flies Cayman Islands Flag  —  The yacht where the elite donors of the Romney Victory Council are partying in Tampa bears the flag of the Cayman Islands.  Romney's use of offshore accounts for his investments has come under fire during the campaign.

Did Barack Obama break a promise to keep GM plant open?  —  If the hometown of Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan has had an icon during his lifetime, it was a sprawling General Motors auto assembly plant.  —  For decades, the Janesville, Wis., plant gave thousands of people a comfortable living.

Transcript: Rep. Paul Ryan's Convention Speech … Transcript of vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan's speech as prepared for delivery at the Republican National Convention:  —  Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored by the support of this convention for vice president of the United States.

Palin canceled on Fox?  —  (CNN) - Sarah Palin posted a cryptic message on Facebook Wednesday night, saying the Fox News Channel had cut her appearances for the evening.  —  “I'm sorry Fox cancelled all my scheduled interviews tonight because I sure wanted to take the opportunity on the air …