The Real Romney  —  The purpose of the Republican convention is to introduce America to the real Mitt Romney.  Fortunately, I have spent hours researching this subject.  I can provide you with the definitive biography and a unique look into the Byronic soul of the Republican nominee:

Damn it, defeat this RINO power grab!  —  Conservatives of all stripes, especially Tea Party activists, this is an attempt to destroy your ability to influence the presidential and vice presidential nomination process in the Republican Party.  It is an attempt to eviscerate the input of state parties.

Arlen Specter hospitalized with a serious illness, friends confirm  —  Arlen Specter has been hospitalized with a serious illness, confirm friends of the longtime U.S. Senator.  One asked that people keep him in thoughts and prayers.  —  Specter, 82, announced in 2005 that he had Hodgkin's disease for which he underwent chemotherapy.

Prosecutor: Ga. murder case uncovers terror plot … LUDOWICI, Ga. (AP) — Four Army soldiers based in southeast Georgia killed a former comrade and his girlfriend to protect an anarchist militia group they formed that stockpiled assault weapons and plotted a range of anti-government attacks, prosecutors told a judge Monday.

Priebus on Chris Matthews: ‘He Made the Case for Us.’  —  Shortly before our chat, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus held a brief press “gaggle” in the media center, and briefly talked about his exchange with Chris Matthews on MSNBC's “Morning Joe” this morning.

GOP still fretting over Mitt's image  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney signaled in weekend interviews that he is brushing off advice that he attempt a public image makeover this week to make himself more likable and more connected to voters at the human level.  —  Some of the most experienced …

Who Is Thursday's Mystery Convention Speaker?  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Republican convention planners appear to have a surprise planned for those tuning in Thursday night.  —  Buried deep in the convention schedule released Monday is a vague reference to a mystery speaker scheduled for the event's final evening.

Smith Makes Abortion Gaffe (Listen to Audio)  —  Harrisburg — Republican Tom Smith spoke at the Pennsylvania press club luncheon Monday afternoon The defining moment occurred a few moments after the formal program when, asked about abortion amid a group of reporters, Smith seemed to suggest …

McMahon By A Nose In Close Connecticut Senate Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Obama Tops Romney By 7 Points  —  Connecticut likely voters put Republican former wrestling executive Linda McMahon on the right side of a 49 - 46 percent too-close-to-call U.S. Senate race against Democratic U.S …

Sarah Palin: Dems addicted to ‘hope-ium’  —  Sarah Palin on Monday said Democrats who “still have that addiction to the hope-ium” President Barack Obama peddled four years ago need to “open their eyes” and vote for Mitt Romney this November.  —  “Some of us had [Obama] pegged four years ago.

Security at the RNC: George Orwell Meets a ‘Call of Duty’ Cityscape  —  At a defining civic event, the establishment is insulated by an army of police officers from protesters camping unseen on a far away corner.  —  Reuters  —  Deep inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum …

GOP Casino Baron Sheldon Adelson Pledges $500,000 To Buy A Single House Seat  —  Sheldon Adelson, the multi-billionaire casino mogul who already spent at least $5 million to help keep Republicans in control of the House next year, reportedly pledged $500,000 to just one House candidate …

Haifa court rules against Rachel Corrie family  —  Judge invokes “combatant activities” exception, says US activist who was killed by IDF bulldozer could have avoided danger.  —  The Haifa District Court on Tuesday ruled against the family of Rachel Corrie, the American pro-Palestinian activist struck …

EXCLUSIVE: SEAL AD TO EXCORIATE OBAMA FOR BOWING TO FOREIGN LEADERS  —  The controversial super PAC Special Operations for America, led by former Navy SEALs, is set to release a blistering new ad against President Obama Tuesday at the Republican National Convention.

Who's on the inside track for a Romney Cabinet  —  Mitt Romney said his Cabinet and White House staff will be stacked with men and women from the business world, but his top advisers sketched out for POLITICO a team compromised of many familiar faces in Washington.