Paul closes in on Gingrich  —  There has been some major movement in the Republican Presidential race in Iowa over the last week, with what was a 9 point lead for Newt Gingrich now all the way down to a single point.  Gingrich is at 22% to 21% for Paul with Mitt Romney at 16% …

Romney blasts Gingrich as ‘extremely unreliable’ conservative leader  —  BOSTON—Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney blasted rival Newt Gingrich Tuesday as an “extremely unreliable leader in the conservative world” who has taken positions in this campaign that should give GOP voters pause …

House Passes Extension of Cut to Payroll Taxes  —  WASHINGTON — Defying a veto threat from President Obama, the House on Tuesday passed a bill extending a cut in Social Security payroll taxes for 160 million Americans for another year.  But the Democratic majority in the Senate vowed to reject …

Trump pulls out of GOP debate  —  Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will not moderate next month's GOP debate sponsored by Newsmax.  —  The reality televison show host's decision came after most Republican candidates declined to participate in the debate, with only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum agreeing to appear.

Amanpour to Leave ABC's ‘This Week’ and Rejoin CNN  —  Updated Christiane Amanpour is leaving the anchor chair of ABC's “This Week” and returning to her old network home, CNN, as the anchor of an evening newscast on CNN International.  —  The changes, confirmed Tuesday evening …

All-American Mess  —  I'd bet that TLC's All-American Muslim is a pretty dull show that borders on hagiography.  But I still don't get why anyone would get so mad about it.  As I understand it, the show depicts Muslim families as more moderate, more American than some stereotypes.  Is that really so horrible?

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November suggests that the economy has been expanding moderately, notwithstanding some apparent slowing in global growth.  While indicators point to some improvement in overall labor market conditions, the unemployment rate remains elevated.

The Graph That Proves Economic Forecasters Are Almost Always Wrong  —  As the saying goes: “It's hard to make predictions.  Especially about the future.”  Thirty years ago, it was obvious to everybody that oil prices would keep going up forever.  Twenty years ago, it was obvious that Japan would own the 21st century.

GINGRICH FLASHBACK: ‘PROGRESSIVE’ FDR WAS ‘GREATEST PRESIDENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY’ (PLUS - SEIU'S ANDY STERN IS VISIONARY UNION LEADER!)  —  Scroll down for the video — or read this first:  —  I've always liked the feisty tone Newt Gingrich brings to debate.

If I Were A Poor Black Kid  —  President Obama gave an excellent speech last week in Kansas about inequality in America.  —  “This is the defining issue of our time.”  He said.  “This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get into the middle class.

Opinion: Obama would rather be university professor than president  —  After observing President Obama for the last three years, it has become obvious to me that the President might prefer to be a university professor rather than do the job he holds today.  While he may not realize that he feels …

Holder Signals Tough Review of New State Laws on Voting  —  AUSTIN, Tex. — Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Tuesday entered the turbulent political waters of voting rights, signaling that the Justice Department would be aggressive in reviewing new voting laws that civil rights advocates …

Household electricity bills skyrocket  —  Electric bills have skyrocketed in the last five years, a sharp reversal from a quarter-century when Americans enjoyed stable power bills even as they used more electricity.  —  Households paid a record $1,419 on average for electricity in 2010 …

SCARBOROUGH: ROMNEY LOOKING MORE LIKABLE — Michael Duffy promoted - Perry Bacon leaves WashPost - What Peter Watkins is up to - ABC's ‘This Week’ unveils debate series  —  WEST WING MINDMELD: “On Sunday, the President spoke to Senator Reid, and they decided that Congress cannot go home …

Deconstructing the Bouffant and the Bland  —  The title of Ann Beattie's new book, “Mrs. Nixon: A Novelist Imagines a Life,” suggests that the author might be trying to channel Pat Nixon or conjure up her life with Dick, much the way Curtis Sittenfeld channeled a Laura Bush-like first lady in her 2008 novel, “American Wife.”