U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN: Angle, Reid race still tight  —  More voters picking sides as senator's clout comes into play  —  Locked in a dead heat, both U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and Sharron Angle picked up support in the past two weeks, according to a poll for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and 8NewsNow …

FULL AUDIO: Dr. Laura Schlessinger's N-word rant  —  On August 10, Dr. Laura Schlessinger launched into a racially charged rant, during which Schlessinger — in her own words — “articulated the ‘n’ word all the way out — more than one time.”  Among other things, Schlessinger also told …

Sacrilege at Ground Zero  —  A place is made sacred by a widespread belief that it was visited by the miraculous or the transcendent (Lourdes, the Temple Mount), by the presence there once of great nobility and sacrifice (Gettysburg), or by the blood of martyrs and the indescribable suffering of the innocent (Auschwitz).

Disappointed, down, despondent  —  And not about to rush to the polls in November, either  —  WHY, asks a Democrat leading a training session for fellow activists, doesn't “Yes we can” work as a slogan any more?  “Because we haven't,” a jaded participant responds.

Poll: Half Would Vote For Generic GOP Challenger In '12  —  Pres. Obama trails a generic GOPer in a WH '12 re-election bid, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released today.  Among registered voters, fully half, 50%, said they were more likely to vote for a generic GOPer …

OUR DAUGHTER ISN'T A SELFISH BRAT; YOUR SON JUST HASN'T READ  —  ATLAS SHRUGGED.  —  I'd like to start by saying that I don't get into belligerent shouting matches at the playground very often.  The Tot Lot, by its very nature, can be an extremely volatile place—a veritable powder keg …

Dems Might Want to Re-Think Criticizing Linda McMahon's WWE Connection  —  Linda McMahon stepped down as CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment in September 2009 in order to run for the US Senate, and she has since become the Republican nominee from Connecticut.

Lessig On Obama  —  Very nicely put: … I am crestfallen over two profound issues: civil rights and accountability for war crimes.  Maybe in the long run, it will come out all right.  And I understand the necessity of pragmatism and the awful legacy this president inherited.

Democratic Seats Vulnerable on Jobs  —  ALBION, Mich.—Michelle Rena Jones cheered when candidates Barack Obama and Joe Biden visited south-central Michigan in 2008.  She supported Mr. Obama that November along with a slate of Democrats, including Mark Schauer in the 7th congressional district.

Elizabeth Warren, likely to head new consumer agency, provokes strong feelings  —  Somewhere along the line, Elizabeth Warren became a symbol.  —  She's either the plain-spoken, supremely smart crusader for middle-class families that her supporters adore, or she's the power-hungry headline seeker …

‘Professional left’ not ready to back an Obama primary challenger in '12  —  As angry as they might be, the professional left isn't ready to back a primary challenger to President Obama just yet.  —  Two high-profile liberals on Thursday said they are not interested in running against the president in 2012 …

Op-Ed Columnist: Paralysis at the Federal Reserve  —  Ten years ago, one of America's leading economists delivered a stinging critique of the Bank of Japan, Japan's equivalent of the Federal Reserve, titled “Japanese Monetary Policy: A Case of Self-Induced Paralysis?”

Maxine Waters: “I Won't Cut A Deal”  —  Congresswoman Defends Her Actions in Assisting Minority Banks, Including One With Ties to Husband  —  Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., today adamantly refuted charges brought against her by the House Ethics Committee.  —  “I have not violated any House rules …

Fun With Paul Ryan and the Washington Post  —  The Washington Post really really hates Social Security.  They hate Medicare almost as much.  Therefore they are willing to give its critics space to say almost anything against the program (the real cause of September 11th) …

The Anti-Obama Democrats  —  Democrats in deep-red states who voted against health reform and higher spending may yet survive the midterm.  —  It's 81 days to the election.  Expect many of them to be filled with the explanations Democrats are now serving up as to why Nov. 2 is likely to be a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day.

Defense chief Gates orders review of Marines' role  —  Acknowledging concerns among current and former Marines that the Corps has evolved into another ground combat force, the Defense secretary aims to define the service's future path.  —  Reporting from San Francisco …

Federal appeals court in NY rules against ACORN  —  AP National Video  —  Fears remain in Mich. after stabbing spree arrest  —  Arrest in serial-stabber case eases some but not all anxiety in Mich. city where 5 were killed.  —  Judge keeps gay marriage on hold — for now

Ex-Inmate's Dilemma: $2.2 Million or a Lawsuit  —  HOUSTON — Since a judge let him out of prison for a rape that prosecutors now say he did not commit, Michael A. Green has had trouble sleeping.  —  Late at night, he walks the neat, quiet sidewalks in the neighborhood where he is staying with an aunt …