TRENDING: Obama: I bear ‘full responsibility for everything’  —  (CNN) - President Barack Obama discussed his frustration with gridlock in Washington, saying his “biggest disappointment” in his nearly four years in office has been the failure to oversee change in the nation's political climate.

President Obama pulls ahead of Mitt Romney  —  President Barack Obama has opened a national lead in a tight race that's been static for much of the year.  —  A new POLITICO/George Washington University Battleground Poll of likely voters finds little good news for Mitt Romney but a race that remains competitive.

Foxconn closes China plant after 40 injured in brawl  —  (Reuters) - Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group closed its Taiyuan plant in northern China on Monday after a personal dispute spiraled into a brawl involving 2,000 workers in a dormitory late on Sunday night, injuring 40.

MEDIA PUT 18,000 IN NOT-QUITE-FULL 5,000-SEAT ARENA FOR OBAMA IN WISCONSIN  —  President Barack Obama is having trouble drawing large crowds on the campaign trail.  At the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, his campaign was forced to move his acceptance speech from the 74,000-seat Bank …

Obama Campaign Quietly Ditches Faux Flag  —  The Obama campaign produced a poster of an American flag, with Obama's “O” symbol replacing the field of stars, as an item of campaign merchandise, selling for $35.  The image was tasteless at best.  It is hard to imagine any other politician arrogant enough …

Ann Coulter: Democrats ‘Dropping the Blacks and Moving on to the Hispanics’  —  During the “This Week” roundtable's discussion of the politics of immigration reform and the Latino vote, conservative commentator Ann Coulter made the provocative claim that “Democrats are dropping the blacks …

Speaker Silver's male staffer defended boss with online posts from ‘female’ supporter  —  Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has a strong female voice defending him against allegations he improperly funneled hush money to two of Assemblyman Vito Lopez's sex-harassment accusers.

Divided state still a toss-up  —  Obama's lead over Romney is within margin of error as survey explores voters' split over fiscal, cultural issues  —  Illustration of 2012 presidential candidates President Barack Obama, Democrat, and former Gov. Mitt Romney , Republican, by Chris Morris/ The Plain Dealer.

Report: Rick Perry Aides Battled Gay Rumor With Lawsuit Threat  —  Huffington Post threatened to publish the — unsupported — claims.  Perry aides warned they'd “be owning a big chunk of AOL.”  —  Image by Ronald Martinez / Getty Images  —  Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign spent the weeks …

NEWS FLASH  —  TOP ROMNEY ADVISER: ‘WE ARE A NATION OF PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON THEIR GOVERNMENT’ |  Mitt Romney adviser Bay Buchanan reiterated the Republican campaign's belief that half of Americans are dependent upon government, during an appearance on Meet Thee Press on Sunday.

Romney Plans Full Slate in Latest Reboot  —  Obama Hits at His Rival's ‘47%’ Remark While Republican Nominee Vows to Stress Economic Policies, Targeted Ads  —  Mitt Romney will pick up the pace of his campaigning this week and stress policy proposals that he believes would put more Americans back to work …