GOP Convention, Romney Speech Evoke Lukewarm Reactions  —  Speech gets lowest ratings of any Gallup has measured since 1996  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Last week's Republican National Convention had a minimal impact on Americans' self-reported voting intentions, with just about as many saying …

LET'S BE FRIENDS … - SPORTS - PHOTO BOOTH - DAILY SHOUTS - PAGE-TURNER - DAILY COMMENT - AMY DAVIDSON - JOHN CASSIDY - ANDY BOROWITZ - RICHARD BRODY

New N.C. poll gives Romney small lead in presidential race  —  It puts GOP candidate 4 percentage points ahead of Obama  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C. Republican Mitt Romney appears to have gotten his bounce from his party's national convention - at least in the state hosting the Democratic convention, according to a poll released Sunday.

Monday is National Empty Chair Day; Updated with photos  —  What better way to commemorate the Labor Day holiday than to send a message to the AWOL campaign-in-chief — and support Clint Eastwood, to boot!  —  Twitchy has the story of the latest Eastwood-inspired social media phenomenon.

Obama Team Readjusts On ‘Are You Better Off?’  —  After either saying “no” or refusing to give a straight yes or no answer to Sunday show anchors when asked if Americans are better off today than they were four years ago, officials from Team Obama this morning changed their answers and enthusiastically offered a capital-Y “Yes.”

Rosie Ruiz Republicans  —  Remember Rosie Ruiz?  In 1980 she was the first woman to cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon — except it turned out that she hadn't actually run most of the race, that she sneaked onto the course around a mile from the end.

CA Dem chair John Burton compares GOP to Goebbels for “telling the big lie” (VIDEO)  —  CA Dem chair John Burton compares GOP to Nazi Goebbels for “telling the big lie” (VIDEO)  —  Charlotte - Greetings from the California delegation breakfast at the DNC where before he had a cup …

New Obama Ad Makes Middle-Class Appeal  —  President Barack Obama's campaign is running a new television ad claiming Republican Mitt Romney's policies would “hit the middle class harder.”  —  The ad says Romney wants to extend tax cuts for millionaires at the expense of middle-income earners.

Britain's Paul Ryan  —  In a lot of ways George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister) is Britain's answer to Paul Ryan.  True, he's a toned-down version — no Ayn Rand, please, we're British — but other aspects of package are there in full force: he's articulate …

A push for Betty White to address the DNC  —  Actress Betty White is being called on by fans to speak at this week's Democratic National Convention.  —  The 90-year-old star, who's an Obama supporter, is not scheduled to appear, but there's a petition circulating online urging White to introduce the president on Thursday.

John Cusack Interviews Law Professor Jonathan Turley About Obama Administration's War On the Constitution  —  I wrote this a while back after Romney got the nom.  In light of the blizzard of bulls**t coming at us in the next few months I thought I would put it out now.

Joe Biden Isn't Finished  —  The Paul Ryan selection shone a spotlight on the vice-president.  He's ready for it—no matter what just came out of his mouth.  —  Jesus Christ!  " Joe Biden barks, pitching forward in the captain's chair in his cabin aboard Air Force Two.