Poll: Bernie Sanders surges ahead of Hillary Clinton in N.H., 44-37  —  N.H. Democrats lukewarm to her tough image  —  Photo by:  —  Boston Herald front page - Aug 12.  2016  —  Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has rocketed past longtime front-runner Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire …

The Worst Ruth Marcus Column Ever  —  We need to freeze this Ruth Marcus column in amber so that it never perishes.  Future generations will not believe that it actually existed if they can't see it with their own eyes.  It is probably the purest form of wankery that has ever been constructed.

How I helped Todd Akin win — so I could beat him later  —  It was August 7, 2012, and I was standing in my hotel room in Kansas City about to shotgun a beer for the first time in my life.  I had just made the biggest gamble of my political career—a $1.7 million gamble—and it had paid off.

Donald Trump to ‘Meet the Press’ - in person  —  Donald Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner who prefers telephone call-ins to sit-down interviews, has been booked for an in-person appearance on NBC's “Meet the Press” later this month, the On Media blog has learned.

The Five Plausible GOP Candidates  —  From a Democratic standpoint, a moderate-conservative Republican ticket representing the two largest swing states would be cause for concern.  —  After their first presidential debates, it is time for Republicans to get serious.  Donald Trump won't be their nominee.

State, federal officials clash over health of Animas River  —  EPA asks Hickenlooper to curb remarks about river's health  —  Gov. John Hickenlooper, left, looks at a fish trap being held by Jim White, an aquatic biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, on Tuesday on the banks of the Animas River.

The Post-Debate Losers (Walker) and Winners (Fiorina)  —  You've already heard a lot of different takes about who won and who lost the first Republican presidential debates last week.  We've deliberately waited to name names; winning the media spin after a debate is often more important than “winning” the debate itself.

Trump Defends Planned Parenthood, Responds to GOP Critics on Hannity  —  Donald Trump sat down with Sean Hannity tonight and did everything from hit back at his conservative critics to defend Planned Parenthood to rip Hillary Clinton over her emails and foundation money.

President Obama's Letter to the Editor  —  For the cover story of our Aug. 2 issue, Jim Rutenberg wrote about efforts over the last 50 years to dismantle the protections in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the landmark piece of legislation that cleared barriers between black voters and the ballot.

GOP candidates wobble but don't fall down  —  Perry, Paul and Santorum keep going, fueled by super PAC money and a hope for that breakthrough moment.  —  The Great 2016 Republican Sorting has begun.  —  Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry thudded first, his campaign acknowledging this week …

‘The Artist’ Star Put to Sleep  —  After Prostate Illness  —  Uggie, the famous Jack Russell Terrier from “The Artist” ... has gone to the big doghouse in the sky — after bravely battling a prostate tumor.  —  TMZ has learned the 13-year-old star who played “The Dog” …

'I don't want to die in your cell:' Police release video of Ralkina Jones taken prior to death  —  Ryllie Danylko, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Ryllie Danylko, Northeast Ohio Media Group  —  CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio - “I don't want to die in your cell.”  —  Ralkina Jones spoke those words …

Don't Hate the Phone Call, Hate the Phone  —  One of the ironies of modern life is that everyone is glued to their phones, but nobody uses them as phones anymore.  Not by choice, anyway.  Phone calls—you know, where you put the thing up to your ear and speak to someone in real time …