How the White House torpedoed Harry Reid's tax deal  —  The White House worked closely with liberal House Democrats last week to torpedo a tax deal that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-­Nev.) was negotiating with Republicans.  —  The unusual move to kill a Reid­-backed proposal …

Democrats Paved the Way for Their Own Decline  —  They have subordinated their traditional focus on helping working-class Americans move up the economic ladder in favor of other priorities.  —  Much has been said about the long-term demographic challenges facing the Republican Party.

Mitch McConnell Rider Could Roll Back Campaign Finance Laws  —  WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is trying to use a massive appropriations bill to loosen campaign finance rules.  —  The Republican leader's office is attempting to attach a policy rider to the omnibus bill …

Rolling Stone Never Gave the Villains of Its Gang Rape Story a Chance to Defend Themselves  —  When scholars of the Historical Jesus try to figure out whether certain stories or sayings reported in the Gospels are authentic—a complicated concept in this context, but never mind …

Meet the likely next Defense Secretary  —  Washington (CNN) — Ashton Carter, the former second-in-command at the Pentagon appears to be the top choice to replace outgoing Secretary Chuck Hagel.  —  Barring any last minute complications, Ash Carter will be President Barack Obama's choice …

CHARLES BARKLEY: FERGUSON GRAND JURY GOT IT RIGHT, LOOTERS ARE SCUMBAGS  —  Last week on Philadelphia radio 97.5's “The Fanatic,” NBA star Charles Barkley said the Missouri grand jury was right when they decided not to charge Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting Michael Brown.

Class Prejudice Resurgent  —  One of the features of all the Ferguson discussion over the past few months is how tinny the comparisons to the civil-rights era have sounded.  People have tried to link Ferguson to Selma and Jim Crow, but something is off.  —  That's, in part, because we've moved from simplicity to ambiguity.

Poll: Romney, Clinton top 2016 field  —  Washington (CNN) — Mitt Romney may say he's not planning to make a third run for the White House, but according to a new CNN/ORC national poll, Republican voters aren't ready to give up on the idea just yet.  —  While there is no clear frontrunner …

Here's Why 9/11 Conspiracy Theories Still Thrive In America  —  WASHINGTON — It was a sunny and clear Tuesday morning in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Sitting in the kitchen of my girlfriend's apartment, I was eating a bowl of cereal — Honey Nut Cheerios, I still remember …

Republicans Float ‘Impeachment Lite’ Plan To Censure Obama  —  Impeachment has faded in Republican circles as an option to punish President Barack Obama over his sweeping executive actions to reshape immigration enforcement, ruled out even by hardliners like Rep. Steve King (R-IA) who are livid with the president and want to retaliate.

Stewart Unloads On Hannity For Blaming Ferguson On Obama, Sharpton (VIDEO)  —  At the climax of a tour de force knocking Fox News coverage of Ferguson, Mo. on Monday's episode of “The Daily Show,” host Jon Stewart turned his ire on longtime punching bag Sean Hannity.

Ohio Sen. Portman rules out presidential bid  —  1 photo  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Ohio Sen. Rob Portman says he will not run for president in 2016, choosing instead to seek a second term in the Senate over the Republican nomination for the White House.  —  The former White House budget chief …

County police chief says Rams apologized for ‘Hands up’ gesture; team's VP says otherwise  —  • By Jim Thomas jthomas@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8197  —  UPDATED at 9:36 p.m. Monday with comment from Rams vice president.  —  Rams vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff …