NATIONAL

“If he is that savvy at home, why is he so apparently incompetent abroad? Answering that question may indeed require us to ‘think the unthinkable,’ that we have elected a man for whom America’s best interests are not his top priority.” – Thomas Sowell/National Review

“Illegal immigration is the issue that Donald Trump has been riding. But calm, polite, and gutsy Scott Walker, governor of the state where Flores is taking a good factory job away from an American, is in a position to press the issue of the employer’s misconduct.” – American Thinker

“Now, as for the unfrozen $150 billion that will go to Iran, Secretary Kerry assures us that Iran will keep its word and not use the money to fund Shiite militias in neighboring countries, or fund Hezbollah because the deal says so. As Kerry told Judy Woodruff of PBS News Hour, ‘they’re not allowed to do that. They’re not allowed to do that outside even with this agreement. There’s a UN resolution that specifically applies to them not being allowed to transfer to Hezbollah. They are specifically not allowed under another UN resolution to transfer to the Shi’a militia in Iraq.'” – Hot Air

“Disparate impact — it’s a legal doctrine that may be coming soon to your suburb (if you’re part of the national majority living in suburbs).” – Michael Barone/National Review

“The head-to-head match-ups in this poll mean nothing but the data on Hillary’s deteriorating image is — *mwah* — magnifique. First, the irrelevant yet sexy numbers showing her losing to Bush, Walker, and Rubio in Iowa, Virginia, and Colorado. It’s a perfect matrix of Democratic failure.” – Hot Air

“Mika Brzezinski announced, ‘I think we kinda missed a lede here.‘ The co-host seemed a little surprised by the new numbers showing leading democratic candidate’s increasing ‘unfavorable’ ratings in some key swing states.” – The Blaze

“Today’s Q-Poll shows that Democrats need to start taking this election seriously. Thankfully, they probably won’t, although they’ll think that they have.” – RedState

“It is time to recognize that Obama does not love America enough to confront our enemies and defend our shores.” – Front Page Mag

“Hollywood’s society of conservatives, the Friends of Abe, believes that the war of ideas is happening in our culture, not our think tanks. The group’s executive director, independent filmmaker Jeremy Boreing, recently spoke with me by phone about the crucial fight conservatives have too long conceded.” – RealClear Politics

“House Speaker John Boehner vowed Wednesday to do ‘everything possible’ to stop the newly struck Iran nuclear deal, as Congress formally begins consideration of the hard-fought pact.” – Fox News

LOUISIANA

“The effort is being led by Louisiana Rep. Charles Boustany, the Republican who chairs the Ways and Means Committee’s Human Resources subcommittee. On Wednesday of last week, the same day that the Iran nuclear deal was announced, his subcommittee held a hearing on the new legislation, which he described as ‘proposals to improve the lives of families on welfare by better promoting work and helping families in need move up the economic ladder. Work is the only way for people to really escape poverty and achieve the American Dream, and we are eager to help more families succeed at doing just that.’” – Fiscal Times

“Incumbent state Sen. Dan Claitor will have competition in Senate District 16 from a fellow Republican. M. Scott McKnight, whose family founded Wright & Percy Insurance, is said to be gearing up to take on Claitor following the senator’s loss in the 6th Congressional District primary last year.” – Baton Rouge Business Report

“State financial leaders Tuesday lobbied the big New York rating agencies, arguing that in light of the results of the recent legislative session, the influential firms should adjust the state’s credit score upwards from negative to stable.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“More children were living in poverty in 2013 than during the great recession. That’s according to findings by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. And the news is not good regarding Louisiana and child poverty.” – Fox 8 Live

“New Orleans parking control officers have been loitering in coffee shops and hotels while on duty and, after the business complained, at least one officer retaliated by ticketing employees’ and customers’ vehicles, according to a report from New Orleans Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux.” – NOLA.com

“While they may be overshadowed by statewide candidates and legislative elections, the races for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are heating up in the Baton Rouge area and offering some intrigue.” – Baton Rouge Business Report

“Monday afternoon Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com joined Dr. John Sutherlin and Ken Romero on ‘Geaux Acadiana’ to discuss the impact of Senator Mary Landrieu’s loss to Louisiana’s clout in Washington.” – KPEL

“Two Alabama men claim they were fired from Turner Industries this week for refusing to remove the Confederate battle flag from their vehicles, according to Alabama television stateion WHNT News 19. Turner, which has corporate headquarters in Baton Rouge, is one of the nation’s largest construction management companies.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders has picked a place to hold his town hall campaign event this Sunday (July 26). No, it’s not in New Orleans. Instead, the Vermont Democrat will be at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, a venue large enough to hold the growing number of RSVPs, according to his campaign.” – NOLA.com

“The Tigers have 17 commits in the class and expect to get nine more before National Signing Day in February, Wilson said. The program can sign 26, one more than the usual 25, this go-around, he said.” – Baton Rouge Advocate