Marco Rubio on how he learned he wasn't Romney's VP pick; kind words for Nelson, harsh ones for Akin  —  Republican Sen. Marco Rubio told a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches luncheon crowd today about the phone conversation he had with Mitt Romney the day before Romney announced Paul Ryan as his running mate.

Lubbock Co. Judge warns of potential danger if Obama is re-elected  —  Lubbock County Judge Tom Head and Commissioner Mark Heinrich went into great detail Monday night on FOX 34 News @ Nine about why it is necessary to raise the tax rate by 1.7 cents the next fiscal year.

Like a Boss  —  When it comes to being a rich guy, Mitt Romney should own it  —  What do women want?  The conventional biological wisdom is that men select mates for fertility, while women select for status — thus the commonness of younger women's pairing with well-established older men but the rarity of the converse.

Sheriff candidate says he wouldn't reject deadly force to stop abortions  —  Candidate says he believes elective, late-term abortions aren't lawful  —  Candidate's abortion comments draw criticism  —  A Republican candidate for Hillsborough County Sheriff said Wednesday …

GOP takes tough platform approach  —  Filled with strict stances, most conservative plan in party history to be unveiled  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Republicans next week will likely adopt what veteran platform writers said is the most conservative platform in their history after the drafting committee voted …

‘O-I-H-O’: Barack Obama's Dan Quayle moment  —  President Barack Obama finally found the 57th state, and it's spelled O-I-H-O.  —  To be fair, Obama and his pals finally got it right here: … Some can't believe the President would be so stupid: … Great point!  Except, not really:

Rick Warren cancels Obama-Romney forum at Saddleback Church  —  LAKE FOREST - Rick Warren, Saddleback Church's pastor, announced Wednesday that a civil forum planned with President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the church has been canceled …

First Thoughts: Not your ordinary August poll  —  This isn't your ordinary August poll; it looks more like October... The poll's three macro-conclusions: 1) Obama has the advantage heading into the conventions, 2) he's still below 50%, 3) Romney has work to do repairing his image …

The Lost Decade of the Middle Class  —  Fewer, Poorer, Gloomier  —  CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW  —  As the 2012 presidential candidates prepare their closing arguments to America's middle class, they are courting a group that has endured a lost decade for economic well-being.

Zing!  Romney on Obama: ‘Bless his heart’; Update: No, it's not racist … Oh, yes, he did.  He dropped the most awesome insult ever. … Swoon!  Romney's point is, of course, correct and needs repeating.  But the “bless his heart” is getting more play as of now; it was the delicious final touch on the pro-freedom message.

Fiscal Tightening in 2013 and Its Economic Consequences - Infographic  —  Under current law, a sharp reduction in the federal budget deficit between 2012 and 2013 will cause the economy to contract, the Congressional Budget Office projects, but will also put federal debt on a path more likely to be sustainable over time.

MITT ROMNEY SETS GOAL OF NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BY 2020  —  A crucial component of Mitt Romney's Plan for a Stronger Middle Class is a comprehensive energy strategy to achieve North American energy independence by 2020 and establish America as an energy superpower in the 21st century.

Cops: Lesbian Fakes Attack In Which She Carved Anti-Gay Slurs Into Skin  —  LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former University of Nebraska women's basketball star faked an attack in which she allegedly carved anti-gay slurs into her skin because she felt it would spark change, police said Tuesday.

Cutter: Obama Has Created More Jobs Than the Reagan Recovery  —  Willie Geist, MSNBC: What would you say to that same person that said, 'Well, that hasn't worked for four years.  I haven't had the job over time, it's time for a change.'  —  Stephanie Cutter, Obama deputy campaign manager …