Heavy burden falls to McConnell  —  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a hard road ahead.  —  The Kentucky Republican will have to take the lead later this year on raising the debt ceiling and preventing a government shutdown due to Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) resignation, GOP strategists say.

A theory of how American politics is changing  —  Most weeks in American politics bring few surprises.  But recent weeks have brought four.  —  First, Scott Walker, who looked to be the conservative establishment's pick for the GOP nomination, dropped out of the race.

Rush Limbaugh pans evidence of water on Mars as part of ‘leftist agenda’  —  <p>Flowing water on Mars?  That's just part of the liberal agenda, Rush Limbaugh says. </p><p>The conservative radio talk show host addressed NASA's announcement on Monday that it had found evidence of flowing water …

Iran President Hassan Rouhani Blames U.S. For Spread of Mideast Terror  —  Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday blamed the United States for the spread of terrorism in the Middle East, saying America's dual post-9/11 wars — and its alliance with Israel — allowed extremist ideologies to flourish.

Hillary Clinton not sure if Bill Clinton would get West Wing office  —  Hillary Clinton isn't sure if former President Clinton would have an office in the West Wing if she is elected president.  —  “He's a pretty busy guy, I don't know anything like that,” Hillary Clinton …

Let's be honest about the dishonest attack on Planned Parenthood  —  Far-right Republicans in Congress are threatening to shut down the federal government rather than pass a budget that allows Planned Parenthood to continue receiving federal funds to provide women with healthcare.

“They Told Me It Never Happened” … TRENDING  —  Lara McLeod never wanted to report her rape.  In those first few hours, the 19-year-old was barely able to put what had happened to her into words.  Joaquin Rams, Lara's older sister's fiancé, had forced Lara to have sex with him …

Question for Hillary?  Leave it below-\-\she'll be back soon to start a live Facebook Q&A on everything from health care to college affordability.  —  ***Thanks for joining me, Facebook.  Let's do this!  -H

Trump Plan Is Tax Cut for the Rich, Even Hedge Fund Managers  —  Donald Trump's tax plan, released Monday, does not live up to the populist language he has offered on taxes all summer.  —  When talking about taxes in this campaign, Donald Trump has often sounded like a different kind of Republican.

Schumer in talks with Ryan on major tax, infrastructure deal  —  The two, along with Sen. Rob Portman, are trying to hash out a sweeping bipartisan package. … Three years ago, Chuck Schumer called Paul Ryan's plans for deficit reduction a “fraud.”  Now the future Democratic leader wants to cut a deal with him.

Megyn Kelly doesn't want to talk about Donald Trump  —  <p>Fox News anchor and show host Megyn Kelly, who has been lambasted by presidential frontrunner Donald Trump since the first Republican national debate, said she was done talking about her feud with the candidate during a one-on-one discussion …

Paul takes break to raise funds for Senate campaign  —  Struggling to gain traction in the Republican presidential race, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) this week will turn his attention to fundraising for his Senate reelection efforts.  —  Paul, who is running for president and reelection …

Daughter of actor Paul Walker files wrongful-death suit against Porsche  —  The teenage daughter of actor Paul Walker has filed a wrongful-death suit against Porsche AG, claiming defects in the car that the 40-year-old star of “The Fast and the Furious” franchise rode in when he was killed in a fiery crash nearly two years ago.

No Foolish Consistency Here  —  “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” said Emerson, and it is pretty clear that our Peerless Leader is not a man of little mind.  Obama's speech to the United Nations included some thoughts on Syria and Libya.  One snippet: