David Koch is a Romney delegate, National Journal reports: “The New York Republican Party listed Koch as one of the state's 34 at-large delegates on a roster provided by the party. Koch, whose position atop Koch Industries gives him a net worth that Forbes estimates at $25 billion, has fueled tens of millions of dollars into philanthropies in New York City. But he's best known in the political world as the driving force behind Americans for Prosperity, the 501(c)(4) organization that claims nearly 2 million members who advocate for conservative causes. The group has already spent more than $17 million on television campaign advertisements this year alone. Earlier this week, AFP announced it would spend an additional $25 million on a monthlong advertising buy in 11 battleground states.”

Political Wire: “The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, "familiar as the producer of a ubiquitous plant fertilizer, is now a political player, donating $200,000 in June to the Restore Our Future super PAC supporting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney," the Washington Post reports.”

What does Obama failing Ohio have to do with Oklahoma in a Romney ad?

Romney’s Israel ad is running in West Palm Beach, FL, with $50,000 behind it from Aug. 9-14, Politico reports.

Really, are Republicans ready to embrace Trump? “Donald Trump has declined an offer to deliver a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention, sources with knowledge of convention plans tell Newsmax. But Newsmax has learned that the billionaire businessman has been asked to give a big ‘surprise’ at the convention in Tampa, Fla., which begins on Aug. 27.”

For what it’s worth, neither the RNC nor the Republican National Convention would confirm nor deny the story. Instead, convention spokesman Kyle Downey would only say: “We announced several headliners earlier this week and will continue to announce more headliners and participants, including the keynote, in the days and weeks ahead.”

That was even when asked if they were OK with having the perception out there that Trump was invited to speak in prime time and would have a prominent role at the convention. So they’re not denying it (letting it be out there) and they’re not copping to it (wanting some distance).

The New York Times: "Look closely and it is there, sandwiched between Goldman Sachs Hedge Fund Partners II and D3 Family Bulldog Fund: the mortgage on Timothy and Betty Stamps’s modest home on Gentle Bend Drive here. Nearly lost among the blizzard of hedge funds, thoroughbred horses and other gold-plated investments in Mitt Romney's personal financial disclosures, the interest from the $50,500 mortgage is loose change to Mr. Romney, whose net worth has been estimated at close to a quarter-billion dollars. Yet for the Stampses, who have been writing $600 monthly checks to ‘Willard M. Romney’ for 15 years, the money they borrowed from him to buy their home in 1997 was life-changing."