Thoughts on a Dumb Conversation  —  So we are now in day four of the “Muslim” conversation started when Donald Trump didn't respond to a trollish question about Muslims at a town hall.  A few thoughts.  —  1. Donald Trump is probably right that he has no “moral obligation” to defend Barack Obama.

OBAMA READY TO ENDORSE BIDEN—WITH CONDITIONS  —  The talk in Democratic Party circles is that Barack Obama has told Joe Biden that he is prepared to endorse him for president if, in return, Biden promises to let Obama have a final say in the choice of his vice presidential running mate.

GOP braces for Pope Francis  —  The pope has become a political football.  —  Republicans want to use Pope Francis's visit to Congress this week — the first-ever by a pontiff — to highlight their opposition to abortion rights.  —  Democrats, meanwhile, hope the pope will lend new momentum …

David Cameron's debauchery laid bare in Lord Ashcroft's book Call Me Dave  —  Today we lift the lid on the extraordinary feud between David Cameron (left) and a billionaire Tory donor that has triggered the most explosive political biography of the decade.  In the dynamite book …

Far from destroying our democracy, he's exposing all its phoniness and corruption in ways as serious as he is not.  And changing it in the process.  —  As the summer of Donald Trump came to its end — and the prospect of a springtime for Trump no longer seemed like a gag …

Planned Parenthood called to testify  —  <p>The House Oversight Committee plans to call Planned Parenthood to a hearing on the undercover videos one day before the government is due to run out of money, according to Democrats on the committee.</p><p> Democratic members are demanding that David Daleiden …

‘I lost part of my heart’: Beloved White House staffer Jake Brewer mourned  —  Sunday, on the otherwise barren asphalt surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, a noisy welcoming party for cyclists participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer sprung up in Lot 6, with an announcer offering …

U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Afghan Allies' Abuse of Boys  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — In his last phone call home, Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr. told his father what was troubling him: From his bunk in southern Afghanistan, he could hear Afghan police officers sexually abusing boys they had brought to the base.

Muslims are transforming Europe, says Art Garfunkel in warning over dangers of mass migration  —  While luvvies such as Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch queue up to condemn David Cameron for not allowing more migrants into Britain, one major entertainment figure has bravely voiced an alternative view.

Cancer-stricken children, parents ejected from park near White House  —  The U.S. Secret Service ordered hundreds of parents and their cancer-stricken children out of Lafayette Square on Saturday night, barricading the park for at least two hours and disrupting the group's plans for a candlelight vigil …

Put a Fork in Him  —  Jeb Bush says a new TV ad attacking his brother, put together by an outside Democratic group, is “disgraceful.”  This comes after Jeb himself put out a meme after last week's debate embracing his “he kept us” safe line from his exchange with celebrity businessman Donald Trump.

Scott Walker Mounts a Last Stand in Iowa  —  It's been a thrilling—and harrowing—roller coaster ride for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.  —  First, the Republican presidential candidate suddenly rose and broke from the pack with a well-received speech at the Iowa Freedom Summit in January …

Court Suspends Pennsylvania Attorney General's Law License  — Shares-

New York Military Academy's Sudden Closing, After 126 Years  —  CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — Among its thousands of alumni, the 126-year-old New York Military Academy counts the unlikely grouping of Donald J. Trump, Stephen Sondheim and John A. Gotti.  Yet all three have this in common …