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).

CNN Poll: Who's on top in hunt for 2012 GOP nomination?  —  A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Survey suggests there is no front runner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.  —  Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) - Less than three months before the unofficial start of the next race …

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.

For Michelle Obama, extravagance dents popularity  —  After a widely admired start in the White House, first lady Michelle Obama's popularity is falling and, if the current downward trend in her approval ratings continues, could touch lows not seen since the scandal-tainted days of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

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.

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 …

‘Professional left’ not ready to back an Obama challenger  —  As angry as it 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?”

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 …

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

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.

Obama closes curtain on transparency  —  President Obama has abolished the position in his White House dedicated to transparency and shunted those duties into the portfolio of a partisan ex-lobbyist who is openly antagonistic to the notion of disclosure by government and politicians.

Longshot US Senate candidate from SC indicted  —  COLUMBIA, S.C. — Longshot U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene was indicted Friday on two charges, including a felony charge of showing pornography to a South Carolina college student.  —  A Richland County grand jury indicted Green for disseminating …

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 …

Economy Remains Top Concern as Nov. Elections Draw Nearer  —  Two-thirds of Americans mention aspects of the economy as the nation's top problem  —  PRINCETON, N.J. — Americans of all political persuasions say the economy and jobs are the most important problems facing the country today.

Does the past record of journalists matter?  —  The Atlantic's James Fallows, whose analysis I often find worthwhile, yesterday defended Jeffrey Goldberg and his Iran article from unidentified critics (emphasis added): … First of all, it's inaccurate to claim that critiques of Goldberg's article are based on what he did in the past.