Ryan sparks split on immigration

Rep. Paul Ryan could be Mitt Romney's olive branch to voters who want to see illegal immigrants gain legal status, with the Wisconsin Republican having repeatedly backed legalization efforts and cast himself in the mold of former President George W. Bush, who fought a battle with his own party on the issue.

Obama, Ryan take longtime rift to the next level

President Obama and Mitt Romney's vice-presidential pick, Paul Ryan, have never seen eye to eye when it comes to policy, and now that the congressman from Wisconsin is on the GOP ticket, Mr. Obama is wasting no time in going after the Republicans' popular budget man.

In Putin's Russia, little separation between church and state

The Russian Orthodox Church is enjoying its newfound prestige with the Russian government. But the church's closeness to the government has also made it a target of criticism and protest.

Ethiopian premier's absence draws attention, speculation

Where in the world is Ethiopia's prime minister? The question is not a geographical brain teaser but a concerned query about the well-being of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who has not been seen in public for two months, and about Ethiopia's commitment to U.S. counterterrorism efforts in neighboring Somalia.

Strong odds: New Jersey makes constitutional case for sports betting

A long-running, high-stakes legal battle over betting on sports in America may be coming to a head, and this time supporters are making the case that their fight against the nation's most powerful professional and collegiate sports leagues not on economic or policy grounds, but as a defense of states' rights under the U.S. Constitution.

Main Street's financial advisers overwhelmingly back Romney, but almost half fear he'll lose

The people who manage money, Main Street's financial advisers, are overwhelmingly voting for Mitt Romney in this year's election — but are far less certain he will win, according to an online poll by the Financial Services Institute.

GOP sues to force Obama, Holder compliance on Fast and Furious

A civil lawsuit filed Monday by House Republicans asks a federal court to enforce a congressional subpoena of Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in his refusal to turn over documents sought in an investigation by a House committee into the failed Fast and Furious gunrunning operation.

Redskins' Griffin, Garcon develop a bond

Robert Griffin III and Pierre Garcon were done playing in last Thursday's preseason game, but their work day was not finished. While their Washington Redskins teammates competed against the Buffalo Bills on the scoreboard and against each other for roster spots, Griffin and Garcon reviewed the 14 plays the first-string offense ran.

Facebook dips its toe in online gambling waters

Facebook is placing a big bet on Internet gambling, but it's one critics warn it might not be able to cover.

Inside the Beltway: The Big Squawk

The moment Rep. Paul Ryan became Mitt Romney's running mate, high-profile Democrats and progressives joined in a unified public chorus insisting that Mr. Ryan and his policies are extreme in nature, and oh, woe to the Republican Party for embracing him.

Solyndra layoffs suit ends out of court

More than 800 workers who lost their jobs in mass layoffs in the days before Solyndra LLC went bankrupt — just two years after the company won a more than half-billion-dollar federal loan — have reached a settlement as the company's bankruptcy grinds toward a close, according to newly filed court papers.

Health care ministry takes on Ky. ruling

In a state-level version of the Obama administration's clash with U.S. Catholic bishops over health care reform and religious liberty, a Christian health care ministry finds itself battling Kentucky insurance regulators over the right to help its members meet their medical bills.

Congressman: Medal of Honor system broken

A Marine combat veteran who now serves on the House Armed Services Committee said Monday that in at least two recent cases, the system for evaluating Medal of Honor nominations has gone awry, and he blamed bureaucratic infighting for keeping one of the men from a fair appraisal.

Police: Texas gunman was getting eviction notice

A Texas law enforcement officer attacked as he brought an eviction notice to a house was among three people, including a shooter inside the home, killed Monday near the Texas A&M University campus.

Rebel video claims to show captured Syrian pilot

A video issued by Syrian rebels purports to show a captured pilot who ejected from a warplane they claim they downed.

Obama, Biden link GOP rivals to Congress

President Obama and Joe Biden moved quickly Monday to link GOP rivals Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to House Republicans who Democrats blame for causing gridlock in Washington and pressing policies to protect the wealthy.

Commentary

NORQUIST: Paul Ryan 2012: Republicans' plan for success

Mitt Romney defined and took command of the 2012 presidential election by selecting Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate.

FEULNER: Democrats' food-stamp foolishness

Do you know what Maryland gives its welfare recipients so they can access cash and food benefits? An "Independence Card."

ARENDS: Obama failing military voters

President Obama is the first and only commander-in-chief in the history of the republic to petition a federal court with a claim that allowing the men and women who serve under his command three extra days to vote in-person by absentee ballot is a violation of the Constitution.

MILLER: Ryan touched the third rail

Rep. Paul Ryan disproved a 50-year-old political rule by speaking the truth. The Wisconsin Republican showed a party can touch the "third rail of politics" -- entitlement programs for seniors -- and survive.

ROBBINS: Obama messiah

President Obama said at a Chicago fundraiser on Sunday that the 2012 election is about two competing visions for America. "Too many folks still don't have a sense that tomorrow will be better than today," he said. "And so, the question in this election is which way do we go?"