The Hill Articles: August 15, 2012

Shooting spurs heated debate on gay rights, ‘hate group’ label Obama: Biden remark taken out of context Ryan on Medicare: ‘We want this debate’ Republicans and Democrats mull positions on Internet freedom in party platforms Thousands apply to stay in US on first day of Obama deportation initiative Schumer to Dems: Undercut Ryan’s budget reputation McCain: Hillary Clinton has ‘ambitions’ to run for president in 2016 Comcast’s low-cost Internet program reaches 100,000 families Interior finalizes drilling-safety rule stemming from 2010 BP oil spill Romney hits Obama’s likability Obama has more fake Twitter followers than Romney Report: General investigated for lavish travel Ryan’s war on women Recent bombings cap deadly August in Afghanistan Romney sees rise in youth support NOAA: July was fourth-hottest on record worldwide DAY’S END ROUNDUP Ryan: Biden’s ‘chains’ comment shows ‘blame and attack’ theme Syria conflict spills into Lebanon with kidnappings Poll: Romney posts gains in swing states FEC moves ahead with plan for campaign donations by text Tester promotes privacy bill Rebuked over Unabomber ad, Heartland Institute resumes fight on carbon rules Oil lobby: Drilling safety rule might increase risk Mitt Romney ‘appalled’ by Family Research Council shooting Industrial production up in July GOP accuses Chu of false testimony Obama: Romney, Ryan ‘pretty dishonest about my plan’ President Obama slams Romney, Ryan tax plans as ‘trickle-down snake oil’ Venezuela to allow access to detained American, says State Department Weapons test ends in failure after Air Force loses contact with prototype Romney: I’d cut subsidies for Amtrak, public broadcasting Paul Ryan could help Tommy Thompson in Wisconsin Senate race Boehner: Security officer in FRC shooting ‘is a hero’ Rep. Issa hails delay in ‘dangerous’ auto mileage standards Gallup: No bounce for Romney from VP pick Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairmen criticize costly conferences Congress should follow Delaware’s lead on disclosure Obama says his work on Medicare extended program for a ‘decade’ Pawlenty: We need ‘adult leadership’ on Medicare Focus should be on Innovation to end HIV/AIDS US diplomat: ‘Serious’ barriers to establishing Syrian no-fly zones ACLU sues FBI for tracking memos Stearns’s loss puts Oversight gavel up for grabs Controversial voter ID law upheld in Pennsylvania Major pharmacies to tout benefits of healthcare reform law for seniors Camp seeks documents from Obama on Delphi auto pension decision Boehner tells GOP it can play offense on Medicare with Ryan on the ticket Coattails and common sense Romney, unlike Ryan, would repeal Medicare cuts rather than redirecting them Rep. Stearns concedes GOP primary Republicans send prayers on Twitter after shooting in DC Filling a void in Afghan government Security guard shot in attack on Family Research Council office building Devo gets political with tune about Romney dog’s famous ride Sen. Levin: New York regulator showed ‘backbone’ in bank settlement Irish American Democrats to launch ‘McBLACKPAC’ Romney: Critical tax study ‘garbage’ UN says Syrian government and rebels commit crimes against humanity 2008 Obama co-chairman to campaign for Romney Transportation advocates pleased with Rep. Mica’s victory Home builder confidence hits highest level in five years Obama: First lady teased Jay Leno about ‘getting some exercise’ Blunt calls on Reid to end recess and bring Senate back to help farmers Israel says it is prepared ‘as never before’ for war with Iran NOW fundraises off ‘dangerous’ Republican presidential ticket Candidate leading Rep. Stearns in primary wants to abolish Energy Department Romney vows to end Amtrak funding Musicians lose out in Internet Radio Fairness Act McCain: ‘I plead guilty’ to sequester vote Congress is putting rural patients on the chopping block Vets say economy, debt top national security threats AT&T plans national PR day against texting and driving Domestic energy production can pave road to lower unemployment Crossroads launches six-state, $4.7M Senate ad buy White House to hold first ‘State Dinner’ for kids Obama video hits Romney on Medicare First Lingle general-election ad says opponent Hirono has ‘zero’ accomplishments Thune, Grassley question stimulus funds to battery company with ties to China RNC’s Priebus: Biden ‘chains’ remark ‘shameful’ Power industry group adds veteran Dem muscle News bites: Don’t forget Medicaid Ann Romney: ‘There’s nothing we’re hiding’ regarding tax returns Women then and women now Palin: ‘Chains’ comment should be ‘nail in the coffin’ for Biden RNC books country star for kickoff party News bites: Energy loan staffers warned not to use personal email News bites: Taking its toll Van Hollen ‘cannot say anything good’ about Ryan budget Trump working on ‘big surprise’ for Republican convention Group to attack Obama on bin Laden bragging, intelligence leaks Romney: Obama strategy is ‘division, attack and hatred’ Romney Spanish-language ad says Dems ‘fooling’ Latinos Study: Obama leads Romney in social-media activity Obama super-PAC blames ‘station error’ after cancer ad airs News bites: Merchants to announce plans for mobile payment network Heitkamp ad attacks Berg for ‘smear campaign’ Industry, GOP fear power-grab by EPA in Alaska mine decision Congressman running Solyndra probe trails in primary vote Paul Ryan’s abortion stance could widen gender gap in battleground states MORNING READ For vanquished veep possibilities, a political future remains in the cards Deficit warrior Ryan sees national security as a budget issue Murphy out with first general-election ad in Florida, attacking West for Medicare cuts Tommy Thompson wins Wis. Senate primary, will face Rep. Baldwin in fall Stearns trails local veterinarian in primary, declines to concede Esty wins Democratic nomination for Connecticut’s 5th District McMahon, Murphy to face off in Connecticut Senate race Rep. Mica beats Adams in member matchup Romney slams Obama in tough speech