Repeal Prohibition, Again  —  It took 13 years for the United States to come to its senses and end Prohibition, 13 years in which people kept drinking, otherwise law-abiding citizens became criminals and crime syndicates arose and flourished.  It has been more than 40 years since Congress passed …

As Libya Implodes, “Smart Diplomacy” Becoming a Punch Line  —  The reckless and thoughtless Libya intervention just keeps looking worse.  But don't read the critics to see how horrible things are: as the government announces that the U.S. has officially evacuated its embassy in Tripoli this morning …

The Typical Household, Now Worth a Third Less  —  Economic inequality in the United States has been receiving a lot of attention.  But it's not merely an issue of the rich getting richer.  The typical American household has been getting poorer, too.  —  The inflation-adjusted net worth for the typical household was $87,992 in 2003.

Barack Obama has already checked out of his job  —  The degree to which Barack Obama is now phoning it in - sleepwalking perfunctorily through his second term, amid golf rounds and dinner parties - is astonishing  —  President Obama has emotionally checked out of his job a couple of years early, it seems.

Kerry's latest cease-fire plan: What was he thinking?  —  Kerry isn't anti-Israeli; on the contrary, he's a true friend to Israel.  But his conduct in recent days over the Gaza cease-fire raises serious doubts over his judgment and perception of regional events.

100 days to go  —  Red-state Democrats are hanging tough despite a toxic environment, but Republicans are hopeful about late-breaking opportunities in a pair of swing states.  —  The GOP needs to net six seats for Senate control and already have a trio of conservative open seats in the bag.

Charlie Crist: “I'm not a scientist either but I can use my brain and I can talk to one”  —  Charlie Crist knows how to work a storyline.  —  The Democratic gubernatorial candidate, who as a Republican governor in 2007 said global warming was “one of the most important issues that we will face …

Hamas and North Korea in secret arms deal  —  Exclusive: Hamas has paid North Korea for missiles and communications equipment in arms deal worth hundreds of thousands of dollars  —  Hamas militants are attempting to negotiate a new arms deal with North Korea for missiles and communications equipment …

Taliban Making Military Gains in Afghanistan  —  MAHMUD RAQI, Afghanistan — Taliban fighters are scoring early gains in several strategic areas near the capital this summer, inflicting heavy casualties and casting new doubt on the ability of Afghan forces to contain the insurgency …

Everyone says turnout is key.  So why does it keep going down?  —  Tens of millions of dollars will be spent this year in an effort to boost turnout in the November elections.  But the longer-term trends suggest that any marginal increase in what is expected to be a low-turnout election …

Obama extends long-term trend of fundraising presidents  —  Last week it was Hollywood glitterati.  The week before it was Wall Street financiers.  Regardless of what is going on in America and the world, one thing has become certain about President Obama's work schedule — there will always be fundraisers.

Ron Paul: “Too Early To Tell” If Views On Russia Will Affect Son's Candidacy  —  “The U.S. is every bit as involved...as Putin,” says the former Congressman.  —  Steve Marcus / Reuters / Reuters  —  WASHINGTON — Former congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul said on Friday that it's …

After CIA gets secret whistleblower email, Congress worries about more spying  —  WASHINGTON — The CIA obtained a confidential email to Congress about alleged whistleblower retaliation related to the Senate's classified report on the agency's harsh interrogation program …