Trump backers downplay rough week after poll shows him lagging Clinton

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to the crowd following a rally at Windham High School on August 6, 2016 in Windham, New Hampshire. Photo - Scott Eisen/Getty Images/AFP Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to the crowd following a rally at Windham High School on August 6, 2016 in Windham, New Hampshire.

A second Republican congressman just endorsed someone who…

Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia became the second Republican member of Congress to break from party lines and endorse a candidate who is not his party's nominee. Rigell told The New York Times on Saturday that he will be voting for Libertarian Party nominee and New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson instead of Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Clinton widens lead over Trump to 8 points: poll

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists joint convention in Washington, DC, August 5, 2016. Washington: Democrat Hillary Clinton has widened her lead over White House rival Donald Trump to eight points after both parties' nominating conventions, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll out Sunday.

Insult dog Triumph, fake Roger Ailes star in Hulu special

Robert Smigel, the writer-comedian who brings the Triumph puppet to life, worked the Republican and Democratic conventions for "Triumph's Summer Election Special 2016," debuting Aug. 11 on Hulu. He brought an Ailes impersonator to the Republican event in Cleveland.

Meg Whitman will support Clinton for president

Donald Trump Meg Whitman will support Clinton for president Trump spokeswoman: Khan 'proponent of Sharia Law' Khan slams Trump's Purple Heart comments: 'You did not serve' MORE "I will vote for Hillary, I will talk to my Republican friends about helping her, and I will donate to her campaign and try to raise money for her," Whitman told The New York Times on Tuesday . Whitman, who ran for governor of California in 2010, said she doesn't agree with Clinton on many issues, but noted that the Democratic nominee would "be a much better president than Donald Trump."

Man charged with murdering 3 at suburban Seattle party

A lawyer representing the 19-year-old accused of fatally shooting three oth... . A friend of the Mukilteo shooting victims reacts as Allen Ivanov appears at Snohomish District Court in Everett, Wash., via video link from the Snohomish County Jail, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in Everett, Wash.

Trumpkins run out of rationalizations

Donald Trump's latest rash of blunders - attacks on a Gold Star family, ignorance about Russia being in Ukraine, an invitation to Vladimir Putin to meddle in our elections - should dissipate some of the fog that enveloped Republicans after watching him take the GOP presidential nomination. They've been selling themselves and other Republicans a bill of goods.

Trump and feminists should quit blaming Roger Ailes’ victims:…

Trump and feminists should quit blaming Roger Ailes' victims: Kirsten Powers - No, the short-skirted, 'leggy' women of Fox News aren't to blame for sexual harassment and they shouldn't have to quit their jobs. - Donald Trump thinks it's "very sad" that women at Fox News are "complaining"

Gunman slays three teenagers, critically injures another at house party near Seattle

People hug outside Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Wash., during a vigil for those who were slain Saturday, July 30, 2016. On Sunday, hundreds gathered at the Mukilteo Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints to mourn the early deaths of three 19-year-olds.

DC Businesses Fear Profit Devastation As Metro Plans Permanent Early Closings

Businesses in the Washington, D.C. region are blasting a proposal to permanently close the D.C. Metro early every night of the week, arguing it will devastate profits already suffering due to early closings from SafeTrack repairs. Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld announced plans to close the Metro at 10 p.m. on Sundays and at midnight Mondays through Saturdays on a permanent basis when SafeTrack repairs are completed.

Inside the Texas-Sized Split Over Ted Cruz’s Non-Endorsement of Donald Trump

Emotions ran high following Ted Cruz's speech at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night. The Texas senator defiantly refused to endorse Donald Trump for president, drawing jeers and shouts from the audience, especially the New York delegation.

Trump: France, others hit by terror may face more screening

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is asserting that countries like France that he says are compromised by terrorism may be subjected to the "extreme vetting" he proposes as a deterrent to attacks in the U.S. When asked if his proposal might lead to a point when not a lot of people from overseas are allowed into the U.S., Trump said, "Maybe we get to that point" and added: "We have to be smart and we have to be vigilant and we have to be strong."

At Trump’s convention, boos for Cruz’s non-endorsement

At Trump's convention, boos for Cruz's non-endorsement Raucous delegates disappointed when GOP runner-up says 'vote your conscience' Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/29UZ8ps The Republican National Convention is heading into its third day. USA TODAY's Susan Page gives you 3 things to look forward to in Cleveland.

Pence and a dash of 2020: What’s happening on Day 3 of the GOP convention? Read Story

We're halfway through the Republican National Convention, and with any semblance of doubt about who will be the standard-bearer for the GOP put to rest Tuesday night , the party turns its eyes to November. And a few may be looking ahead to November 2020.

Conservatives bristle as Trump backs off Clinton prosecution

Some of Donald Trump's strongest conservative supporters are voicing anger and disappointment at the president-elect's comments on Tuesday that he might back off his campaign pledge of pursuing a prosecution of former rival Hillary Clinton. Trump, in an interview with the New York Times, took a more compassionate tone toward the Democratic presidential nominee than during his campaign, when he talked about a possible criminal investigation of the opponent he dubbed "Crooked Hillary" if he won the White House.