The Hill Articles: August 22, 2012

Akin comment increases pressure on Romney to shine at convention Ex-UN official’s allegations raise pressure on US to delist Iranian terror group NY archbishop to give Republican convention benediction Obama’s reason to stop smoking: His daughters Hurricane forecasts heighten anxiety about GOP convention Romney says fact-checkers biased in criticism of campaign’s welfare ads House Dems urge DNC to state Internet freedom position in party platform FTC approves Facebook’s purchase of Instragram Rubio: ‘I had four missed calls from Mitt Romney’ about VP VA: $52,000 ‘Patton’ parody video ‘misuse of taxpayer funds’ Tumblr deploys bloggers to both nominating conventions Romney tapes Fox Sunday interview at summer home, eats pancakes with Chris Wallace Report: Campaign vendors say GOP Rep. Rivera funded ‘shadow’ Dem candidate DAY’S END ROUNDUP Markey: Let’s not bumble with potentially harmful pesticides and bees Pandora speaks out against Nadler’s music royalties draft bill Issa probes talks between White House, IRS on healthcare law Colorado senators pin layoffs on wind energy tax credit uncertainty Thompson leads Baldwin by 9 points in new poll Storm, train derailment lead to cancellation of 9/11 Guantanamo hearing Enviros want climate question at Obama-Romney debate Bachmann stays silent on Akin despite primary endorsement Obama admin achieves goal for veteran hiring commitments one year early Obama tells supporters: ‘Don’t boo’ Republicans, go ‘vote’ Republican candidate for Senate in Washington swears at reporter New apps can instantly identify political ads Scalia: Despite contentious cases, justices on good terms Poll: Obama holds small lead in Wisconsin Facebook launches social voting app Report: Navy SEAL to publish book on bin Laden raid Middle class saw income, wealth decline last decade GOP lawmaker calls on White House to push natural-gas exports GOP lawmakers rip ATF double dip Ryan says he is ‘proud of my pro-life record,’ defends bill sponsored with Akin UN chief to visit Iran over US objections Obama knocks Romney education policies as ‘foolish for our future’ Medicare improvement project linked to health law takes next step Akin’s stubborn streak led to earlier clashes with GOP leaders Fed eyeing stimulus ‘fairly soon’ unless economy improves Rhode Island House hopeful accuses incumbent of fraud Florida official says convention adds wrinkle to hurricane emergency plan Push continues to normalize trade relations with Russia Tampa mayor ‘not worried yet’ about Tropical Storm Isaac Ryan-Akin, Romney-Trump Poll: Obama shows massive lead among Hispanic voters VP candidate Ryan takes a shot at Biden over economic recovery Team Romney calls out Obama for misspelling ‘Ohio’ at campaign stop Obama to campaign in swing states during Republican National Convention Soros trumps Exxon in battle over payments to foreign governments Senate field hearing examines college tuition costs for Native Americans, states CBO warns of deep recession if Congress fails to avert ‘fiscal cliff’ GOP governors focus on oil-and-gas drilling in energy platform Pro-abortion-rights leaders will speak at Democratic convention Top Republican: GOP platform doesn’t bar rape, incest exemptions on abortion Poll: Voters would pay higher taxes for more medical research Michelle Obama will appear on Letterman during GOP convention Poll: Obama slips to two-point lead in Nevada Ethics group urges FCC to pull Fox licenses YouTube to livestream conventions, presidential debates Joint Chiefs chairman ‘disappointed’ by former officers behind anti-Obama video Former UN human rights chief in Baghdad Tahar Boumedra: Why I Quit the UN in Iraq Federal authorities seize three websites accused of peddling pirated Android apps DOT ad uses ‘Glee’ star power to combat texting while driving Rep. Walsh ‘bothered’ GOP did not ‘stand up for’ Akin Attention Gleeks: Texting while driving is bad, according to new DOT ad DNC platform supports partial-birth abortion, excludes language for abortion to be ‘rare’ Websites marketed to children accused of privacy violation Sen. Menendez knocks Iraq for failing to comply with Iran sanctions SEC approves rules on ‘conflict minerals’ Existing home sales tick up in July AT&T says FaceTime plans do not violate net-neutrality rules Ryan dodges question on ‘forcible rape’ language in House bill Santorum: Romney wins if campaign is about ‘issues’ and not business record or tax returns Pentagon recommends new Afghan commander to White House Obama campaign blasts Romney on classroom size, public education Ryan describes Akin comment as ‘outrageous’ News bites: Odd-couple pair to protest natural-gas exports Gillibrand urges the Senate to extend small-business tax breaks Poll: Seniors view Ryan favorably New Romney ad accuses Obama of ‘raiding’ Medicare News bites: Back to Medicaid News bites: Audit says Apple and Foxconn improved work conditions at Chinese factories Baldwin ad hits Tommy Thompson for not releasing taxes Sarah Palin takes the initiative Medicare going bust News bites: Breathing room Wednesday’s global agenda: US talks Syria in Turkey Report: Doctor cited by Akin for rape claim was 2007 Romney surrogate Akin says Ryan asked him to exit race, slams GOP ‘party bosses’ Poll: Obama leads Romney overall, trails on economic issues Mitt’s target number to take Hispanic vote from Obama: 38 percent President Obama’s Charlotte convention lacks the star power he drew in Denver Mitt Romney’s Republican convention bounce: How high will it go?