Poll: Bernie Sanders surges ahead of Hillary Clinton in N.H., 44-37  —  N.H. Democrats lukewarm to her tough image  —  Photo by:  —  Boston Herald front page - Aug 12.  2016  —  Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has rocketed past longtime front-runner Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire …

‘Top Secret’ emails found as Clinton probe expands to key aides  —  Four former aides have turned over personal emails  —  Senior senator skeptical of the extent of the review  —  Intelligence investigators say they have yet to see aides' emails … WASHINGTON

How I helped Todd Akin win — so I could beat him later  —  It was August 7, 2012, and I was standing in my hotel room in Kansas City about to shotgun a beer for the first time in my life.  I had just made the biggest gamble of my political career—a $1.7 million gamble—and it had paid off.

Head of Group Opposing Iran Accord Quits Post, Saying He Backs Deal  —  WASHINGTON — When the bipartisan advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran decided last week to mobilize opposition against the nuclear deal with Tehran, Gary Samore knew he could no longer serve as its president.

Trump Defends Planned Parenthood, Responds to GOP Critics on Hannity  —  Donald Trump sat down with Sean Hannity tonight and did everything from hit back at his conservative critics to defend Planned Parenthood to rip Hillary Clinton over her emails and foundation money.

President Obama's Letter to the Editor  —  For the cover story of our Aug. 2 issue, Jim Rutenberg wrote about efforts over the last 50 years to dismantle the protections in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the landmark piece of legislation that cleared barriers between black voters and the ballot.

Michigan gets full Trump show  —  He appears undaunted by the tumult surrounding his campaign over the last week.  —  Getty  —  BIRCH RUN, Mich. — It was not a typical Lincoln Day dinner when Donald Trump came to town.  —  The Trump show drew thousands of screaming supporters …

Dissent in Bernie Sanders' camp  —  The candidacy of Sanders adviser Larry Lessig could complicate matters.  —  Lessig speaks onstage at 'MAYDAY: The Fight To Save American, during the 2015 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival.  Getty  —  An adviser to Bernie Sanders has been quietly urging …

The Five Plausible GOP Candidates  —  From a Democratic standpoint, a moderate-conservative Republican ticket representing the two largest swing states would be cause for concern.  —  After their first presidential debates, it is time for Republicans to get serious.  Donald Trump won't be their nominee.

‘Speech Nuts’  —  Does the left like anything in the Bill of Rights?  —  By  —  “The First Amendment has something in common with the Second Amendment,” writes the New Yorker's Kelefa Sanneh: “Both are unusually broad legal guarantees that mark a difference between America and the rest of the world.”

'I don't want to die in your cell:' Police release video of Ralkina Jones taken prior to death  —  Ryllie Danylko, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Ryllie Danylko, Northeast Ohio Media Group  —  CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio - “I don't want to die in your cell.”  —  Ralkina Jones spoke those words …

GOP candidates wobble but don't fall down  —  Perry, Paul and Santorum keep going, fueled by super PAC money and a hope for that breakthrough moment.  —  The Great 2016 Republican Sorting has begun.  —  Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry thudded first, his campaign acknowledging this week …

16 GOP candidates invited to CNN debate  —  Sixteen Republican presidential candidates — the entire GOP field, minus Jim Gilmore — have been invited to participate in the CNN/Reagan Library presidential debate on Sept. 16.  —  The debate will be split into two back-to-back debates …