Trump Held Fundraiser For Pam Bondi At Mar-a-Lago After She Dropped Investigation  —  The Republican Party of Florida paid much less for the venue than Trump's own campaign has paid.  —  National Political Reporter, The Huffington Post  —  WASHINGTON In March 2014, Donald Trump opened …

Press, lies and Hillary's campaign: Years of smears have created a fictional version of Clinton.  They're also a disservice to voters.  —  Many Americans think Clinton is a congenital liar — that's because of the right and the media, not her … That tweet from Chris Cilizza …

The Truth Comes Out As CNN Admits They Are Going Easy On Donald Trump  —  CNN's Dana Bash said what many voters have long suspected.  The media has lowered the bar for Donald Trump and goes easier on him with their coverage because they expect less out of the GOP nominee.

Good news: Greta Van Susteren out at Fox News  —  Fox News host Greta Van Susteren is leaving the network.  In the middle of a campaign season.  After 14 years of service.  —  That's news.  —  In a statement on the matter, Fox News used the sort of language that comes with distressing departures.

Even Worse Than Hillary Clinton's Emails  —  The civil service was missing in action.  We learned about the emails from a hacker.  —  Forget the new dump of Hillary Clinton emails.  Forget the phony claims that the missing communications were all about wedding plans and yoga routines.

Election Update: Clinton's Lead Keeps Shrinking  —  Want these election updates emailed to you right when they're published?  Sign up here.  —  I, for one, welcome the unofficial end of summer.  I'll miss the Olympics and fancy tomato salads.  But it's an election year …

Get ready for a wild polling ride  —  The nine-week, post-Labor Day sprint to Election Day began Tuesday with a muddle of new poll results that confirm only one thing: Hillary Clinton no longer owns the commanding lead she held a month ago.  —  A CNN/ORC International poll generated the most headlines Tuesday.

Media Circus: Troy Aikman sounds off on Fox Sports signing Skip Bayless  — “I believe success is achieved by acquiring and developing talented, respected and credible individuals,” Aikman said, “none of which applies to Skip Bayless.”  —  Troy Aikman has worked for Fox Sports for 15 years …

Video Appears To Show Tourists Destroying Popular Oregon Rock Formation  —  When the iconic sandstone formation known as “the duckbill” collapsed, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department wasn't suspicious.  —  Erosion happens.  Rocks fall.  The stretch of cliff where the formation was located …

CHICAGO VS. OTHER CITIES  —  When you compare Chicago's homicide rate to that of other big cities in the country — New York and Los Angeles, for example — it tops the list.  —  But Chicago is not the homicide capital of the United States.  —  New Orleans, St. Louis, Detroit …

With Koch Brothers Academy, Conservatives Settle In for Long War  —  ARLINGTON, Va. — The rise of Donald J. Trump, with his hostility toward free trade and vow to protect entitlements, is a sharp rebuke to the free-market principles long championed by the billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch.

Trump won't talk about being a birther — or many other controversial comments  —  Donald Trump was the mainstream face of a fringe movement five years ago that questioned Barack Obama's place of birth and qualifications for office, eventually prompting the president to release a long-form certificate proving his birth in Hawaii.

Trump Living Large On Donors' Dime  —  The GOP nominee's campaign is spending lavishly on Trump businesses instead of cheaper alternatives.  —  S.V. Date  —  WASHINGTON - On the night of this spring's Florida primary, the pastor giving the invocation at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago victory party prayed …

Joe Miller to run as Libertarian in hopes of unseating US Sen. Lisa Murkowski  —  Two-time U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller said Tuesday he will try again to unseat U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski by replacing Cean Stevens as the Libertarian candidate on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

USA Freedom Girls Sue Trump Campaign for Stiffing Them  —  The pre-teen dance troupe that briefly became a national sensation after they performed for Donald Trump are suing the self-proclaimed billionaire's presidential campaign for stiffing them.  —  The USA Freedom Kids went viral …

Yes, the race is tightening.  But it's still too soon to panic.  Here's why.  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  A batch of new polls suggests the race is tightening, which means the “Trump can really win” dirge is at full blast this morning.  We'll get to the details in a moment.

Moody's economic model finds Clinton pulling away from Trump  —  Low gas prices and President Obama's rising popularity are bolstering Hillary Clinton  —  's chances of winning the White House, according to a closely followed economic election model from Moody's Analytics.

Democrats Go Nuclear in New Ad Targeting Donald Trump  —  With a mushroom cloud and at least $5 million worth of TV airtime behind it, the new ad from the pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC Priorities USA is sure to stand out in a crowded political landscape.  —  The spot, “I Love War,” …

Poll: Redrawing the electoral map  —  A Washington Post-SurveyMonkey poll of all 50 states indicates the 2016 campaign could flip several red and blue states from their longtime loyalties.  The poll, conducted Aug. 9 through Sept. 1, asked more than 74,000 registered voters who they currently support for president.