TRENDING: Jindal to endorse Perry  —  Tampa, Florida (CNN) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is backing Rick Perry for president, a major endorsement for the Texas governor as the campaign for the Republican nomination enters the crucial fall stretch of the primary calendar, a source tells CNN.

New CNN Poll: Perry on top when it comes to electability  —  Tampa, Florida (CNN) - Hours before the start of the first-ever CNN/Tea Party Republican debate, a new national survey indicates that Texas Gov. Rick Perry is maintaining his lead in the race for the GOP presidential nomination.

Why Ron Paul scares Rick Perry  —  One of the cardinal rules of politics is “never attack down,” meaning a front-runner should never attack or respond to an opponent who is far behind.  Yet that is what Rick Perry is doing.  He is intimidated by Ron Paul, and responding to Ron Paul.  Why?

Turner poised for big upset  —  Republican Bob Turner is poised to pull a huge upset in the race to replace Anthony Weiner as the Congressman from New York's 9th Congressional District.  He leads Democrat David Weprin 47-41 with Socialist Workers candidate Christopher Hoeppner at 4% and 7% of voters remaining undecided.

My Endorsement: Mitt Romney for President  —  Great crises often produce great leaders.  Unfortunately, sometimes the timing isn't right, and neither is the leader.  —  Barack Obama came into office in the midst of a great economic crisis.  Although hopes were high, he did not rise to the occasion.

Pawlenty endorses Romney  —  Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Mitt Romney for president Monday, praising his onetime rival for his “leadership ability” and the “depth and scope of [his] private-sector experience.”  —  “I believe he's going to be our party's nominee,” Pawlenty said on …

REVEALED: Obama's Jobs Plan To Raise $400 Billion In Taxes  —  White House Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew outlined President Barack Obama's plan to pay for his $447 billion jobs plan — mostly through tax increases.  —  Lew said itemized tax deductions and exemptions …

Cantor says no to jobs bill spending  —  Washington (CNN) - House Majority Leader Eric Cantor continued to reach out to work with President Obama on his jobs bill Monday, but emphasized that Republicans are focused on items they support in the plan like the tax breaks and will oppose …