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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

House Republicans take aim at EPA climate rules  —  House appropriators on Tuesday approved a $30 billion spending bill designed to block a host of looming Environmental Protection Agency regulations viewed by the GOP as exceeding the agency's authority.  —  Republicans on the Appropriations …

The Looming Political Game Changers  —  Iran!  Oil prices!  Rick Perry!  Even if you think you know who'll control Congress next year, the road to the November midterms will be full of big surprises.  —  From a deal with Iran to an uptick in the employment rolls, a lot can happen to shift …

Israel firing experimental weapons at Gaza's civilians, say doctors  —  Addressing reporters at a press conference on Sunday, Youssef Abul Resh, undersecretary of the health ministry in Gaza, said, “Medical teams have registered injuries consistent with those caused by DIME [dense inert metal explosives] and other banned weapons.”

GOP Congressman: Kids At Border “Gang Members” From Culture Of “Rape”  —  “A lot of these children ... quote-unquote ... ya know, the first caller mentioned it, ya know, they're gang members.  They're gang affiliated.”  —  View Video ›  —  A Florida Republican congressman called …

Highways Need a Higher Gas Tax  —  About 10,000 motorists die each year because of inadequate road conditions, and millions of other Americans waste large portions of their lives stuck in traffic or stalled trains.  The enormous cost to society of poor infrastructure grows every year …

Reid: Southern border is secure  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday asserted the southern border is secure despite the massive surge of illegal minors from Central America that has overwhelmed federal agencies.  —  “The border is secure,” he told reporters after the Senate Democrats' weekly policy lunch.

Why Is Elizabeth Warren Campaigning in Red States?  —  SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va.—Eleven days ago, West Virginia Democratic Senate candidate Natalie Tennant was brandishing a rifle in a local parade.  —  Today, she's standing next to liberal icon Elizabeth Warren on stage.