Senator John McCain: Russians deserve better than Putin  —  When Pravda.ru editor, Dmitry Sudakov, offered to publish my commentary, he referred to me as “an active anti-Russian politician for many years.”  I'm sure that isn't the first time Russians have heard me characterized as their antagonist.

The GOP's Self-Defeating ‘Defunding’ Strategy  —  It will only strengthen the president while alienating independents.  —  In 2010, Republicans took the House of Representatives by gaining 63 seats.  They also picked up six U.S. senators and 675 state legislators, giving them control …

Congress's Fiscal Fiasco Forces Americans to Wear Badge of Shame  —  As readers of my past columns know, I was not exactly optimistic as we approached crunch time over the debt limit in 2011.  But I am far more pessimistic now.  At a dinner I attended Monday night with a host …

Texas appeals court overturns Tom DeLay money laundering conviction  —  HOUSTON — A Texas Court of Appeals in Austin has overturned the conviction of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, attorney Brian Wice tells KHOU 11 News.  —  DeLay, 66, was convicted in 2010 for his alleged role in a scheme to influence Texas elections.

Republicans ‘dead serious’ about bringing Hillary Clinton back to face MORE grilling as they slam State Department over Benghazi  — A Republican aide says House investigators may ‘have to climb the ladder and swear Hillary in’ since underlings aren't providing answers

Pope Bluntly Faults Church's Focus on Gays and Abortion  —  Alessandro Di Meo/European Pressphoto Agency  —  Pope Francis, who has said the church should be a “home for all,” on Sept. 4 in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.  —  Pope Francis, in the first extensive interview of his six-month-old papacy …

Now Is Not the Time for New Gun Laws  —  In the wake of the D.C. shooting, some lawmakers are pushing for new regulations on firearms.  But legislation should never be passed in the heat of a crisis.  —  Monday's horrific mass shooting at the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard left 12 victims …

Creepy Obamacare ad hits college campuses and your nightmares  —  There will be girls.  There will be beer.  There will be cornhole.  And someone will be dressed in the creepiest Uncle Sam costume you've ever seen.  —  Welcome to the strange new front in the war over Obamacare.

Nicole Wallace: GOP is playing in traffic  —  Former George W. Bush adviser Nicole Wallace said Thursday it's “idiotic” for Republicans to threaten a government shutdown over defunding Obamacare, comparing it to a child running into traffic.  —  Wallace, who was a communications chief …

Former Defense Secretaries Criticize Obama on Syria  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama's first two defense secretaries publicly questioned the administration's handling of the Syrian crisis on Tuesday night and expressed skepticism about whether Russia can broker a deal to remove Syria's chemical weapons.

Growing IRS Scandal Requires A Special Prosecutor  —  Corruption: As the layers on the IRS scandal are peeled back, it's become increasingly clear the law has been broken and the White House may have been far more deeply involved than claimed.  Time for a special prosecutor.

Liberals Want to Save Obama—From Himself  —  Hill progressives are relishing their recent victories, but they're quick to say they're only looking out for the president's best interests.  —  Heading into this fall's fiscal fights and beyond, the White House will have to worry …

McAuliffe on defensive as Cuccinelli gets a boost  —  RICHMOND — Terry McAuliffe said Wednesday that he knew nothing about a failed effort by his supporters to wrest an important business endorsement from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II, his Republican rival in the governor's race.

Through Diplomacy, Obama Finds a Pen Pal in Iran  —  WASHINGTON — Few American presidents have held a deeper belief in the power of the written word than President Obama.  And in few ways has that belief been more tested than in his frustrating private correspondence with the leaders of Iran …

Starbucks' CEO Doesn't Fear Guns.  He Fears Liberals  —  The big brew-haha* this morning revolves around the decision of Starbucks' CEO to politely ask gunowners not to wear their six-shooters in his coffee shops.  Wrote Howard Schultz: … Schultz cites pressure from outside activist groups …