Martin O'Malley Gets Aggressive  —  The odds aren't great against Hillary Clinton, but the Democratic governor from Maryland is doing the actual things people do before running for president: donors, new policies, campaign travel, distance from Obama.  “I think people are going to be surprised at the amount of time he does this.”

Rupert Murdoch Is Rebuffed in Offer for Time Warner  —  The media giant 21st Century Fox, the empire run by Rupert Murdoch, made an $80 billion takeover bid in recent weeks for Time Warner Inc. but was rebuffed, people briefed on the matter said on Wednesday.

Where's the Oval Avatar?  —  WASHINGTON — The White House likes to use a phrase of tingling adventure to describe the president's recent penchant for wandering the country talking to people: “The bear is loose.”  —  There are three problems with this unbearable metaphor …

Poll: Dead Heat in Hotly-Contested Iowa Senate Race  —  The Senate race in New Hampshire isn't as fluid, with only 6 percent of registered voters saying that they're undecided between incumbent Shaheen and Brown.  It also isn't as close: Shaheen is beating her GOP rival 50 percent to 42 percent.

Elizabeth Warren: The government shutdown was over birth control  —  BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ELIZABETH WARREN WAR ON WOMEN CONTRACEPTION  —  Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Tuesday blamed last October's government shutdown on Republicans wanting to deny women access to birth control.

Lerner Associate: “I Don't Understand How Anyone But Straight White Men Can Vote Republican”  —  SHARES  —  Federal employees, like all Americans, are entitled to hold passionate political beliefs.  Most executive branch federal employees, however, may not engage in certain political activities …

Arizona politician mistakes ‘Y’ campers for migrant children  —  Republican congressional candidate and state legislator Adam Kwasman had just raced up to Phoenix Tuesday morning from the protest in Oracle over the expected arrival of dozens of migrant children at a shelter.

Report: Hamas proposes 10-year cease-fire in return for conditions being met  —  Channel 2 reports Hamas seeks long-term truce; Its terms are the release of Schalit deal prisoners who were re-arrested, the opening of Gaza border crossings, and an end to Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.

Why Poor Schools Can't Win at Standardized Testing  —  The companies that create the most important state and national exams also publish textbooks that contain many of the answers.  Unfortunately, low-income school districts can't afford to buy them.  —  Photos by Matt Stanley

Nancy Pelosi's goal is to win 25 seats.  Here's how she thinks it can happen.  —  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told The Washington Post Tuesday that her goal is to win 25 seats this November — a bold statement given that historical trends suggest that the party …

Navy nurse refuses to force-feed Guantánamo captive  —  Detainee's lawyer says her client described the Navy medical officer's refusal as an act of conscientious objection.  —  In the first known rebellion against Guantánamo's force-feeding policy, a Navy medical officer recently refused …

WH director won't testify before Issa panel  —  White House political director David Simas will not appear before the House Oversight Committee to testify Wednesday, despite a subpoena from Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the White House said Tuesday.  —  In a letter to Issa on Tuesday …

One in Six Say Immigration Most Important U.S. Problem  —  Immigration concerns surged in July, while economic mentions ebbed  —  PRINCETON, NJ — With thousands of undocumented immigrant minors crossing the nation's southern border in recent months, the percentage of Americans citing immigration …

Family That Owns Hobby Lobby Plans Bible Museum in Washington  —  WASHINGTON — The evangelical Christian family that owns Hobby Lobby, the chain of craft stores, made history two weeks ago when the Supreme Court overturned the Obama administration's mandate that family-owned companies must …

Witness to a shelling: first-hand account of deadly strike on Gaza port  —  There is a deafening explosion, then a second.  Four children are dead.  Four survivors reach the safety of our hotel  —  The retaining wall of Gaza's harbour sticks out into the Mediterranean about 100 metres …

Legendary Marine Maj. Zembiec, the ‘Lion of Fallujah,’ died in the service of the CIA  —  In the foyer of the Central Intelligence Agency's headquarters, there is a marble wall covered in stars.  They are carved divots that represent those who have fallen in the service of the CIA.

Scientists Are Beginning to Figure Out Why Conservatives Are...Conservative  —  Ten years ago, it was wildly controversial to talk about psychological differences between liberals and conservatives.  Today, it's becoming hard not to.  —  You could be forgiven for not having browsed yet through …

Living With Uncertainty: Expected Health Spending Declines (Again)  —  Expected Health Spending Declines (Again)  —  The last few years have seen a puzzling and welcome new trend in health care spending: Instead of going up and up, increases have slowed way down.

Though Scorned by Colleagues, a Climate-Change Skeptic Is Unbowed  —  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — John Christy, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Alabama here, says he remembers the morning he spotted a well-known colleague at a gathering of climate experts.