Trump drops out of Heritage event after birther backlash  —  Donald Trump canceled his appearance Friday evening at a major campaign stop for the GOP presidential field in South Carolina as he faces criticism from both Republican and Democratic candidates over his failure to address claims …

Vatican Disputes White House Guest List for Papal Visit  —  Invitations to transgender activists, first openly gay U.S. Episcopal bishop and activist nun to White House event prompt pushback  —  On the eve of Pope Francis's arrival in the U.S., the Vatican has taken offense …

Poll: Fiorina Wins Debate, Trump Still Leads  —  Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina won Wednesday's second Republican presidential debate, according to voters who watched the Simi Valley showdown polled by Morning Consult.  —  It was a performance that vaulted Fiorina into the top tier of a crowded field.

Last night I went to a bar on Mackinac Island for the GOP Mackinac Conference.  I ran into a guy named Rich Beeson, who frankly I didn't even know who it was at first because he isn't relevant in our political world.  Anyway, he is Marco Rubio's national campaign manager.

House votes to freeze federal funding for Planned Parenthood  —  The House on Friday voted along party lines to freeze federal funding for Planned Parenthood after weeks of escalating tension surrounding its use of fetal tissue.  —  In a 241-187 vote, nearly all Republicans …

What Is Hillary's Greatest Accomplishment?  —  <p>"If you want to stump a Democrat, ask them to name an accomplishment of Hillary Clinton," Carly Fiorina quipped at Wednesday's Republican debate.  The line got hearty applause—but it also cut to the core of one of the defining lines of attacks …

Obama to nominate first openly gay service secretary to lead the Army  —  President Obama, in a historic first for the Pentagon, has chosen to nominate Eric Fanning to lead the Army, a move that would make him the first openly gay civilian secretary of one of the military services.

New: 87 Deceased NFL Players Test Positive for Brain Disease  —  A total of 87 out of 91 former NFL players have tested positive for the brain disease at the center of the debate over concussions in football, according to new figures from the nation's largest brain bank focused on the study of traumatic head injury.

U.S. Agrees to Begin Military Talks With Russia on Syria  —  LONDON — Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that the United States was prepared to engage in military-to-military talks with Russia concerning Syria, even as Russia continued its military buildup there by deploying fighter jets.

Sources: Scott Walker's Donors Are Circulating Rumor About Campaign Manager  —  As Scott Walker's presidential bid founders, some in the candidate's orbit are participating in a whisper campaign against his top strategist and campaign manager, Rick Wiley.  —  A number of Walker's donors …

Football Players Who Blindsided Ref Say They Were Following Coach's Orders  — Shares-  —  Play