GOP contenders demand greater control over crucial debates  —  Several Republican presidential campaigns began mapping out new demands Sunday for greater control over the format and content of primary debates, which have attracted big audiences and become strategically critical for the 2016 cycle's expansive field of contenders.

Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson dies at 73  —  Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator for Tennessee, GOP presidential candidate, Watergate attorney and longtime “Law and Order” star, has died.  —  Mr. Thompson, 73, died on Sunday from after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a statement issued from the Thompson family.

It's Time For Jeb To Go  —  Until now, I have taken a benign view of Jeb Bush's presidential candidacy.  I have said from the beginning that he has zero chance of getting the Republican nomination, but he was a good governor and he has as much right to seek the nomination as anyone else.

Ryan's move could be big boost for tax reform  —  Paul Ryan's rise to House speaker is fanning hopes that a once-in-a-generation tax overhaul might be on the horizon.  —  The Wisconsin Republican who claimed the gavel last week is one of Congress' preeminent tax experts …

Family of man shot by customer with concealed carry license: 'Something doesn't seem right'  —  The stepson of a 55-year-old suspected robber shot dead Saturday night at a Southwest Side store by a customer with a concealed carry license expressed anger, frustration and doubt about the incident Sunday.

GOP hurts itself with Medicare attacks  —  It is a riddle.  —  Republicans running for the party's presidential nomination continue to push cuts in Medicare spending even as Republican voters oppose cuts in Medicare spending.  —  Seventy-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries are white …

Partisan Growth Gaps  —  Last week The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed article by Carly Fiorina titled “Hillary Clinton Flunks Economics,” ridiculing Mrs. Clinton's assertions that the U.S. economy does better under Democrats.  “America,” declared Ms. Fiorina, “needs someone …

Cruz's silent super PACs a growing worry for campaign  —  The super PACs backing Cruz's presidential run have yet to reserve any TV time in the early primary states - or anywhere else - despite a combined $38 million warchest that ranks second only to Jeb Bush's $103 million operation.

Bacon causes cancer?  When pigs fly!  —  Halloween week kicked off with big scary news from the World Health Organization: Processed meat is now in the same category of carcinogens as cigarettes . . .  . . . and sunshine.  —  The new WHO study (actually from a subsidiary …

Hillary Clinton's rogue agenda: Why Sid Blumenthal matters  —  Hillary Clinton and Sidney Blumenthal Photo: (Left) ZumaPress, (right) EPA  —  After the media inexplicably dubbed Hillary Rodham Clinton the “winner” of the Benghazi hearings, her apologists dismissed a line of questioning into her unofficial adviser, Sidney Blumenthal.