Romney spokesperson cites Massachusetts health law  —  A Mitt Romney spokesperson offered an unusual counterattack Tuesday to an ad in which a laid-off steelworker blames the presumptive GOP nominee for his family losing health care: If that family had lived in Massachusetts …

Ron Haskins, GOP Welfare Reform Architect, Blasts Mitt Romney Ad … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Elections 2012, Mitt Romney, Elections 2012, Video, Election 2012, Romney Campaign, Mitt Romney 2012, Mitt Romney Welfare, Mitt Romney Welfare Reform, Ron Haskins, Ron Haskins Welfare …

Economists to Romney campaign: That's not what our research says  —  On Tuesday, the Romney campaign responded to the fire it's taking from economic analysts by unleashing some artillery of their own.  They released a paper by four decorated economists associated with the campaign …

Paul Ryan veep prospects split GOP  —  As Mitt Romney's vice presidential selection nears and buzz about Rep. Paul Ryan's prospects builds, a split is emerging among Republicans about whether the choice of the House Budget chairman and architect of the party's controversial tax and spending plan …

Report: Rep. Steve King mulling bill to repeal everything Obama has signed  —  Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), an outspoken critic of just about everything President Obama supports, is considering introducing a bill that would repeal everything Obama has signed into law.

GAME OVER: WIKIPEDIA LOCKS DOWN POTENTIAL VP PAGES IN RESPONSE TO COLBERT MISCHIEF-MAKING  —  The act of observing something can sometimes change the thing being observed.  Case in point: my observation on Monday that we might be able to get useful clues as to the identity …

Why the Reaction Is Different When the Terrorist Is White  —  Atrocities like the attack on the Sikh congregation in Wisconsin introduce terrifying dissonance into America's post-9/11 mindset.  —  Members of the Sikh congregation mourn their dead.  / Reuters

Jewish gal shows up IOC with a gold salute to Munich 11  —  It wasn't a gloved-fist salute from the medal stand, but Jewish-American gymnast Aly Raisman made quite a statement yesterday by winning a gold medal and invoking the memory of the Israeli athletes killed 40 years ago in Munich.

Let's Have a Maximum Income  —  Rich people across the Western world are anxiously watching France, where president Francois Hollande is vowing to raise the top tax rate—on earnings over $1.2 million a year—to 75 percent.  Tres bien, Mr. Hollande.  The problem with this otherwise fine idea …

Expect Romney to Surprise With Running Mate Pick  —  Every month at the Hotline, we publish our veepstakes rankings, the list of the most likely running mates to serve on Republican Mitt Romney's presidential ticket.  It's preceded by a vigorous staff-wide debate on the merits of the numerous contenders.

The GOP's Kamikaze Candidate  —  I spent most of July in the upper Midwest and was reminded that not everyone in America passes the summer fixated on politics.  They go to the beach, catch fish, grill burgers, eat ice cream, try to stay cool, see The Dark Knight Rises without recognizing …

How Romney's Pick of a Running Mate Could Sway the Outcome  —  We haven't had that much to say about Mitt Romney's choice of a vice-presidential nominee — mostly because it just isn't something that lends itself to rigorous analysis.  —  But let's focus on the part of the problem where our tools …

One night in Rob Portman's haunted hotel  —  LEBANON, Ohio—The sun is setting on this small town in southwest Ohio, and when darkness reigns, strange things happen at the Golden Lamb Inn.  Or so I'm told.  —  The Inn, owned by the family of Ohio Sen. Rob Portman for the better part of the last century …

Harry Belafonte on Capitalism, Media Moguls and His Disappointment With Jay-Z and Beyonce (Q&A)  —  At the Locarno Film Festival to pick up the Golden Leopard Honor Award, the singer and actor also talks about his fears of a Fourth Reich and why Mitt Romney shouldn't be president.

Obama opposes Boy Scouts ban on gays  — Stumble upon something good?  Share it on StumbleUpon  — Send via Email  — Send this page to Print Friendly  —  (Blade photo by Michael Key)  —  President Obama opposes the recently affirmed Boy Scouts policy of banning gay members …