The Hill Articles: August 16, 2012

Tax Policy Center stands by Romney analysis Bakery receives bump from RNC after turning down Biden visit Romney, Obama bring the whiteboard back to campaign trail Franken: DOJ should have been tougher on Verizon GAO: EPA rules pose acceptable ‘reliability challenges’ for utility industry Berg campaign swaps controversial ad for new spot Rep. Ryan bringing his mother to campaign at retirement community DAY’S END ROUNDUP Tech trade groups push for party platforms to oppose UN Web regulation Taliban raid never endangered Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile, says DOD Poll: With help from Ryan, Romney closing gap on Obama in Wisconsin Housing construction down but looking up for the coming months Senators applaud FTC action against false claims by Brain-Pad maker FTC bars false safety claims in concussion case Top Senate lawmaker heads to the Pacific Rim to talk trade UN peacekeepers set to leave Syria Former NFL coach sues Paul Pelosi Team Obama: Ryan ‘falls flat’ with voters, like Palin and Quayle Report: Carbon emissions hit lowest levels in 20 years Romney uses whiteboard to attack Obama on Medicare Syrian rebels consider joining al Qaeda Lawmakers to consumer bureau: Slow down on international transfer rules Markey: Romney-Ryan ticket would cut Big Bird to pay Big Oil Facebook stock tumbles as lockup expires New poll finds Medicare more important to voters than healthcare reform law Experts warn of long-term climate change impacts on food Report: Congress broke social media rules in rush to discuss Ryan as VP Apple rips e-book settlement as ‘unlawful’ and ‘fundamentally unfair’ Taliban claim responsibility for Blackhawk crash in Afghanistan Polls indicate tight Senate race in Indiana TSA: Complaints low; 821 guns found so far in 2012 Suspect in shooting allegedly said, ‘I don’t like your politics’ New plaque marks the spot of Obamas’ first kiss in Chicago Romney says he paid at least 13 percent in federal taxes every year CBC chairman made ‘nothing’ of Biden’s ‘chains’ remark Study: 26 corporations paid more to CEOs than in federal taxes Obama to stick with Biden as veep Long-delayed offshore wind farm gets approval despite political pushback Feds: Health law will boost fight against disease Former college football coach charged with Ponzi scheme Michelle Obama tweets love to Iowa McCain blasts Arizona Republican who accused Quayle of ‘going both ways’ McCain: Biden ‘chains’ comment has ‘racial inferences’ Groups bash Senate hopeful George Allen as pawn of ‘Big Oil’ Cantwell calls for extending tax credits for hiring vets Rasmussen: Romney overtakes Obama in Wisconsin Black caucus leader: ‘Chains’ uproar ‘makes absolutely no sense’ Ryan says China has been treating Obama like a ‘doormat’ on trade The pay games CEOs play Justice approves $3.6B Verizon deal Start businesses, not wars In Ohio, Ryan zings Biden over latest gaffe Ecuador grants asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Stand firm for human rights Secretary Clinton President Obama meets with Hillary Clinton/Joe Biden this morning DCCC opens fall ad campaign with shot at Ryan’s Medicare plan Initial jobless claims ticked up last week Former CIA, special-ops officers accuse Obama of intelligence leaks Crossroads GPS out with new ad attacking Heitkamp Massachusetts lawmakers demand relief for fishermen from Obama News bites: Healthcare in the spotlight Ex-special ops officers slam Obama on bin Laden, security leaks News bites: The case for exporting natural gas News bites: Apple in discussions with cable operators on TV set-top box News bites: Avoiding the hammer Former Obama supporter Artur Davis to speak at Republican convention ‘Rock star’ Paul Ryan to be tested in glare of national campaign Ryan’s shifting position on immigration leaves both left, right uncomfortable Consumer agency takes heat on mortgage plan — from consumer groups MORNING READ