Donald Trump talked politics with Bill Clinton weeks before launching 2016 bid  —  Former president Bill Clinton had a private telephone conversation in late spring with Donald Trump at the same time that the billionaire investor and reality-television star was nearing a decision to run for the White House …

Barack Obama's Lowest Moment Yet?  —  Today President Obama gave a speech at American University, urging acceptance of his nuclear deal with Iran.  It was the usual exercise in deception and demagoguery, and he skated up to the edge of accusing opponents of the deal-a majority of Americans, apparently-of treason.

I've got news for Democrats.  It's a baby!  —  Democrats on wrong side of history when it comes to Planned Parenthood's crimes against innocent unborn.  —  Democrats like to talk about the importance of being on the “right side of history.”  This phrase was invoked frequently during the same-sex marriage debate.

How Jeb and the GOP got trumped  —  The establishment wanted a sweet '16, not a 17-candidate pileup.  Here's what happened.  —  SHARES  —  Jeb Bush, the man who would be frontrunner, was as surprised as anybody when Donald Trump jumped into the 2016 presidential race in June.

Fox News Moderators Look for Ways to Keep 10 Candidates on Their Toes  —  CLEVELAND — Just over 24 hours before the first Republican primary debate here, more than a dozen Fox News executives and producers gathered Wednesday with their debate moderators — Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace …

Breaking and Analysis: 5th Circuit Affirms Texas Voter ID Violates Section 2, Remands on Question of Discriminatory Purpose  —  A unanimous panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has issued an opinion which is a great (but not complete) victory for those challenging Texas's strict voter id law.

Cybersecurity Bill Is Latest to Be Delayed in Senate  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate headed into its August recess on Wednesday without voting on a cybersecurity bill, adding it to a contentious to-do list for September that includes a push to disapprove the Iran nuclear deal and a spending fight mired in abortion politics.

Police: Active shooter reported dead at Nashville area theater  —  Metro Police report the shooter at the Carmike 8 Cinema is dead.  —  The Nashville Fire Department confirmed that shots were being fired at the Carmike 8 Cinemas on Bell Road at 1:55 p.m.  —  Police responded to a shots fired call about 1:15.

America Deserves a Servant Leader  —  FROM the earliest days of Starbucks, I've been captivated by the art of leadership.  I was mentored over three decades by Warren G. Bennis, the eminent professor and scholar on leadership.  I've gathered insights from peers, and I've drawn inspiration from our 300,000 employees.

Donald Trump's Biggest Debate Challenge Is Donald Trump  —  The actual ideology of Donald Trump remains a topic of considerable debate—he was pro-choice and for an assault weapon ban, he's now pro-life and against all gun control, just for starters—but one thing remains clear: As a politician, he is a nihilist.

Big GOP donors uncommitted before debate  —  Cash begins to flow in a race expected to be dominated by the ultra-wealthy like never before.  —  Politico Illustration / iStock images  —  The son of a Texas congressman, a CEO of an energy company and a Dallas entrepreneur together have shelled …

TMZ About to Get Taste of Own Bitter Medicine ... From The New Yorker  —  The magazine is finalizing a year-in-the-making story on the Warner Bros.-owned celebrity news site and its hyper-aggressive honcho Harvey Levin, and he — and WB — are very nervous.

O'Malley: Dems tilting race toward Hillary Clinton  —  CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA — Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley in an exclusive interview Wednesday with The Hill accused party insiders of trying to tilt the primary contest in Hillary Clinton's favor.

Apple Music hooks 11 million trial members, App Store has record July  —  One month after unveiling its new streaming music service, Apple has locked in 11 million trial members, company executives tell USA TODAY.  —  “We're thrilled with the numbers so far,” says Eddy Cue …