The Romney backlash: Conservatives are coming home  —  THERE IS A reason Mitt Romney has not received a single newspaper endorsement in New Hampshire.  It's the same reason his poll numbers are dropping.  He has not been able to convince the people of this state that he's the conservative he says he is.

Clinton's Résumé Factor: Those 8 Years as First Lady  —  As first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton jaw-boned the authoritarian president of Uzbekistan to leave his car and shake hands with people.  She argued with the Czech prime minister about democracy.

Top Ten Myths about Iraq 2007  —  10. Myth: The US public no longer sees Iraq as a central issue in the 2008 presidential campaign. … 9. Myth: There have been steps toward religious and political reconciliation in Iraq in 2007.  Fact: The government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki …

The Russian Conundrum  —  Russia has begun transferring nuclear fuel to Iran for the completion of its contract for the nuclear power plant at Bushehr.  The delivery marks a victory for Iran, but also a potential trap.  The Russians claimed today that its delivery of fuel renders …

Change our lifestyle to save Santa's home  —  Editor - Santa is deeply concerned with the rapid shrinking of the North Pole.  For generations, he has depended on swift, reliable and environmentally friendly reindeer power.  —  If we do not change our lifestyle soon and seek alternative energy sources …

Hillary Edges Out Oprah as Most Admired Woman in '07  —  PRINCETON, NJ — For the sixth year in a row, President George W. Bush is the most admired man and Sen. Hillary Clinton the most admired woman in Gallup's annual survey.  But neither winner had a very decisive win this year …

While America Celebrates...  Huckabee plunges.  —  WHEN WE PAID pundits try to provide campaign analysis, we often strain to find historical analogies.  Although I'm not asking for sympathy, please understand that it's not easy.  There have been only fifty-something presidential campaigns …

Same Party, Different Style  —  Romney, Huckabee  —  Present a Stark Choice For Iowa Republicans  —  In Iowa, the Republican presidential race has come down to two former governors who offer caucus goers a stark choice.  It's the pulpit vs. the boardroom, poverty vs. privilege, passion vs. preparedness.

AP Gives Thompson the '04 Treatment  —  The Associated Press — once the gold standard of fast and accurate reporting — changed during the Bush presidency.  What was liberal bias has reshaped the wire service into one of the most politically activist media outlets.  This is a cautionary tale for every Republican candidate.

Britain in secret talks with the Taliban  —  Agents from MI6 entered secret talks with Taliban leaders despite Gordon Brown's pledge that Britain would not negotiate with terrorists, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.  —  Officers from the Secret Intelligence Service staged discussions …

Worms infect more poor Americans than thought  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Roundworms may infect close to a quarter of inner city black children, tapeworms are the leading cause of seizures among U.S. Hispanics and other parasitic diseases associated with poor countries are also affecting Americans, a U.S. expert said on Tuesday.

Clinton's Right-Hand Woman Scrambles for a Win in Iowa  —  Patti Solis Doyle Steers Campaign, Juggling  —  Family Role, Staff Egos  —  DES MOINES, Iowa — With snow and sleet pounding her hotel window, campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle dialed in to an early-morning strategy debate …

Holiday Spending Growth at 5 -Year Low  —  A surge in spending over the weekend may not have been enough to rescue Target, Sears Holdings and Macy's from the slowest holiday spending season in five years.  —  MasterCard's consulting unit said yesterday that sales from Nov. 23 to Dec. 24 gained 3.6 percent.