Bush blasts bigotry and white supremacy, says US politics ‘vulnerable’ to ‘outright fabrication’  —  In a rare public speech today, former President George W. Bush blasted the divisive state of American politics, rejecting nativism and warning of a “crisis of confidence.”  —  “Bigotry seems emboldened.

The Defense Department Is Looking Into Why Four U.S. Soldiers Died in Niger  —  The Defense Department is opening an investigation into the deaths of four U.S. soldiers in Niger earlier this month, as President Trump faces criticism for how he has approached the bereaved families.

Trump is thrashing around in a straitjacket of GOP lies  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  It is common enough for lawmakers to set policy goals and devise talking points that are designed to build a case for them.  But in the battle over President Trump's ongoing sabotage of Obamacare …

Trump gives his team a ‘10’ for its Puerto Rico hurricane response  —  President Donald Trump on Thursday gave the federal government the highest marks for its response to the hurricane devastation in Puerto Rico.  —  “I'd say it was a 10,” the president, who sat beside Puerto Rico …

Signaling Frustration, Senior House Republican Plans to Quit Early  —  In a sign of mounting frustration among Republicans in Washington, Representative Pat Tiberi of Ohio, a senior lawmaker with close ties to his party's leaders, is expected to resign and take up an executive post …

McCain's latest surprise: Regulate Facebook  —  Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) knows his time in the public eye is short, so his big statements in recent weeks are especially resonant.  Today, McCain will join with two Democrats — Sens. Mark Warner (Va.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) …

Trump Campaign Staffers Pushed Russian Propaganda Days Before the Election … Some of the Trump campaign's most prominent names and supporters, including Trump's campaign manager, digital director and son, pushed tweets from professional trolls paid by the Russian government in the heat of the 2016 election campaign.

Gotta catch 'em all: Secret Service nabs Pikachu-dressed man at WH  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Washington (CNN)A man dressed as the Pokémon character Pikachu attempted to infiltrate the White House Tuesday morning before he was caught by Secret Service officers manning the perimeter, authorities said.

Fewest Jobless Claims Since 1973 Show Firm U.S. Job Market  —  Filings for unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level since 1973 as workers affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma continued to return to their jobs, Labor Department figures showed Thursday.

Trump just publicly accused the FBI of having conspired against him  —  The tweet is not only false, but creepily authoritarian.  —  As president, Donald Trump is in charge of the FBI.  Which makes it incredibly striking that, in a Thursday morning tweet, Trump accused the bureau …

Why rumors of a Gorsuch-Kagan clash at the Supreme Court are such a bombshell.  —  Following his nomination to the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch was packaged by his wealthy benefactors as the judicial equivalent of a carrot cake: mild and wholesome with the occasional hint of spice.

A Cub Scout questioned a Colorado state senator at a meeting.  Now he's been kicked out of his den.  —  Sen. Vicki Marble spoke to Broomfield scouts last week  —  A Cub Scout in Broomfield has been kicked out of his den, allegedly for asking pointed questions of a Colorado state senator at meeting organized by the Boy Scouts.

Florida Democrat Wilson no friend of veterans, vote record shows  —  The Florida Democrat who criticized President Donald Trump this week for being “insensitive” toward the widow of a U.S. soldier slain in Africa might be facing similar criticism herself.  —  It turns out that U.S …

Shakeup at Democratic National Committee, Longtime Officials Ousted  —  WASHINGTON — A shakeup is underway at the Democratic National Committee as several key longtime officials have lost their posts, exposing a still-raw rift in the party and igniting anger among those in its progressive wing …

Trump Isn't Hitler.  But the Lying ...  It is a commonly accepted rule among those who are in the business of argument, especially online, that he or she who invokes Adolf Hitler, either in oratory or essays, automatically forfeits the argument.  —  The reference is deemed far too extreme …

Corker calls budget ‘a hoax’  —  (R-Tenn.) lambasted the budgetary process ahead of a key vote Thursday, calling the Senate budget a hoax and saying that he would dismantle the Senate Budget Committee.  —  “The only thing about this that matters is preparation for the tax reform,” said Corker …

Declining NFL Television Ratings Presented at Meetings Grabbed Attention of Owners  — In the background of the meeting with players about the anthem protests was the issue of a potentially shrinking audience and what could be done to solve it - Other sections include: Adrian Peterson's fit in Arizona …

Break up the Google-Facebook-Amazon web monopoly  —  Serious legislation is required to combat the countless abuses of power by ‘The Web Trust.’  —  Policy makers are beginning a long overdue reappraisal of the giant website and social media companies ("edge" providers) that dominate the Internet today …