Lawmaker drafting bill to demilitarize local police  —  A Democratic congressman from Georgia is drafting legislation to limit a Pentagon program that provides surplus military equipment to local law enforcement.  —  Rep. Hank Johnson is pushing the legislation amid the situation in Ferguson …

Opportunism knocks in Missouri  —  Add Rand Paul's name to the list of opportunists seeking to exploit for political purposes the tragic shooting of young Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.  The race-hustlers populate the list, of course.  So does President Obama, who sees a topic …

Video: Steve King says blacks in Ferguson should “straighten up and fly right”  —  U.S. Rep. Steve King said the African-American community in Ferguson, Mo., should “settle down” and “straighten up and fly right,” and suggested a tattoo parlor was not damaged in rioting because of blacks …

Amash responds: Why my opponent's smears were ‘disgusting’  —  U.S. Rep. Justin Amash said Brian Ellis ran a “disgusting despicable smear campaign” during Amash's victory speech in downtown Grand Rapids Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014.  (Cory Morse |  MLive.com)  —  Editor's note: The following …

Close  —  President Barack Obama really wanted to take a vacation.  But then the world intervened.  —  The president's plan to snag two weeks off in Martha's Vineyard has been an utter failure, marking his worst attempt at relaxation since the Detroit underwear bomber consumed his 2009 Christmas holiday in Hawaii.

The Clintons break bread and build ties with Julian Castro, stoking talk of a 2016 ticket  —  As she expands her political network in advance of an expected presidential run, Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband have been cultivating an important ally who some believe could become her vice presidential running mate.

Rick Santorum set to travel to Israel  —  (CNN) - Rick Santorum is heading to Israel.  —  The former senator from Pennsylvania and 2012 presidential candidate leaves Sunday for a three-day trip with a delegation of conservative and religious leaders, according to his group, Patriot Voices.

The Forever Slump  —  It's hard to believe, but almost six years have passed since the fall of Lehman Brothers ushered in the worst economic crisis since the 1930s.  Many people, myself included, would like to move on to other subjects.  But we can't, because the crisis is by no means over.

White House rejects media's demand for openness, reporters slap ‘bunch of spin’  —  WASHINGTON SECRETS BARACK OBAMA MEDIA JOSH EARNEST WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS ASSOC WHITE HOUSE PRESS CORPS  —  The White House blew off a demand for openness and transparency from 40 prominent media groups …

“Meet the Press:” Gregory out, Todd in  —  NBC will name Chuck Todd the new host of “Meet the Press” as soon as Thursday afternoon, according to people with direct knowledge of the network's plans.  —  The sources confirmed widespread speculation that David Gregory, who moderated the show …