With debate looming, Trump has huge lead in new poll  —  The identities of the 10 Republicans likely to be on stage at Thursday's presidential debate are coming into focus after another poll on Monday shows Donald Trump running away from the rest of the field and Rick Perry lagging behind his competitors for the final spot.

The Cop  —  Darren Wilson was not indicted for shooting Michael Brown.  Many people in Ferguson question whether justice was done. … “I know it's late, but you wanna come up for a coconut or something?”  —  BUY THE PRINT » … BUY THE PRINT » … “Once you learn, though, you'll never forget.”

GOP's anger turns in upon itself  —  With the first GOP primary debate this week, the Republican Party will be at the center of the nation's political attention.  —  This should be a high time for Republicans.  —  The party won control of the Senate last year while holding its majority in the House.

Wing-nut conspiracy theorists have done it again: The truth about the Planned Parenthood hoax revealed  —  Probes into alleged for-profit organ harvesting have turned up exactly nothing.  So why won't the right take a hint?  —  A still from the video “Planned Parenthood Uses Partial-Birth Abortions …

Where Joe Biden Is Coming From  —  Three years ago, in mid-August 2012, I spent several days in close quarters with Joe Biden for a magazine profile I was writing.  In an interview in his cabin aboard Air Force Two, I asked Biden about a topic much discussed back then, and even more so …

Ted Cruz Makes Disgusting Bacon Using ‘Machine Gun’ (VIDEO)  —  Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is hoping for a viral hit (in the vein of Sen. Lindsey Graham) when he teamed up with Independent Journal Review on Monday to cook bacon with a “machine gun.”  —  Spoiler: It's disgusting.

Christie booed mercilessly — twice — at the Haskell  —  OCEANPORT — It was one long happy celebration at Monmouth Park for the great American Pharoah's latest victory.  At least, that is, until Gov. Chris Christie stepped into the Winner's Circle to present the trophy.  —  And then, the record crowd of 60,983 booed.

Call Donald Trump's Cell Phone and Ask Him About His Important Ideas  —  Last month, American reality show entertainer turned American political system entertainer Donald Trump publicized presidential rival Sen. Lindsey Graham's cell number, urging his supporters to “try it.”

Jeb Bush Threatens To Unilaterally Cut Members Of Congress' Pay If They Don't Do What He Wants  —  Late last month, Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush cast the Constitution's model for separation of powers to the winds with a 15 second video centered around one proposal …

Growing signs Schumer will oppose Iran deal  —  'He's got the toughest vote of his career coming,' a colleague says of the New York Democrat, who insists he's undecided.  —  Chuck Schumer is getting an earful from opponents of the Iran nuclear deal.  —  More than 10,000 phone calls …

Now 60% Chance Of A Government Shutdown  —  The chance of a federal government shutdown increased dramatically and precipitously last week from 40 percent to 60 percent.  It's now more likely than not that a shutdown will result from the craziness going on in Washington.

Donald Trump is cash cow for GOP state parties  —  The casino mogul helps fill state coffers, but some party chairs express misgivings.  —  Republicans might as well face it.  They're addicted to Trump.  —  Donald Trump sends shudders through the GOP establishment each day he remains atop …

Sen. Graham moved up in Air Force Reserve ranks despite light duties  —  Of all the candidates vying to become the nation's next commander in chief, none has spent as much time in the military as Sen. Lindsey O. Graham.  The South Carolina Republican retired from the Air Force this summer …

America's Un-Greek Tragedies in Puerto Rico and Appalachia  —  On Friday the government of Puerto Rico announced that it was about to miss a bond payment.  It claimed that for technical legal reasons this wouldn't be a default, but that's a distinction without a difference.  —  So is Puerto Rico America's Greece?