Exclusive: John McCain Will Attack Vladimir Putin in the Pages of Pravda  —  In a first-of-its kind arrangement, the editors of Russian newspaper Pravda have tentatively agreed to publish a column by Sen. John McCain that will attack the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Congressman: I Once Lost A Drunken Arm-Wrestling Match To Vladimir Putin  —  “We decided to settle it like men do when they've had a little bit too much to drink.”  —  View Video ›  —  Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California arm-wrestled Vladimir Putin back in the early 1990s, and it didn't go well.

Poll: 44 percent of Americans oppose raising debt ceiling  —  Americans overwhelmingly do not think Congress should raise the nation's debt limit as President Barack Obama and Congress prepare once again to wage battle over the issue, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

NBC/WSJ poll: GOP on the rise  —  Republicans are now leading Democrats on handling several key issues, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll.  —  The poll, released Friday, shows more Americans think that the Republicans are doing a better job on the economy, foreign policy and reducing the federal deficit.

Will Democrats haul out hookers in David Vitter fight?  —  Senate Democrats have had all they can take from David Vitter and his fixation on Obamacare — and they're dredging up his past prostitution scandal to hit back.  —  Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, has infuriated Democrats this week …