Donna Cassata

The threat of Tropical Storm Isaac left delegates to the Republican National Convention recalibrating Sunday. The GOP postponed most of Monday's lineup, cramming four days of events into three with hopes for a major send-off for Mitt Romney on Thursday.

U.S. Senate proponents of an international treaty governing the high seas rolled out military star power today to try to lift a long-spurned pact that faces strong conservative opposition. The military leaders insisted the pact would improve national security and enhance U.S. standing, while conservatives say it would undermine U.S. sovereignty.

Pentagon leaders today outlined a plan for absorbing $487 billion in defense cuts over the coming decade by shrinking U.S. ground forces, slowing the purchase of a next-generation stealth fighter and retiring older planes and ships.