The GOP Path to Prosperity  —  Our budget cuts $6.2 trillion in spending from the president's budget over the next 10 years and puts the nation on track to pay off our national debt.  —  Congress is currently embroiled in a funding fight over how much to spend on less than one-fifth of the federal budget for the next six months.

Budget Deal Would Give Pentagon Extra Funds In Exchange For Social Program Cuts … WASHINGTON — While media attention focuses on the cuts to government spending demanded by House Republicans and broadly accepted by Democrats, the Pentagon is poised to reap billions more in federal funds, according to sources close to the discussions.

Ex-NPR chief: House Republicans have thrust NPR into ‘turmoil’  —  The change of power in the House has thrust NPR into “turmoil,” according to the former chief executive of the organization.  —  Vivian Schiller said NPR has been through a “very difficult” time in the past several months.

Warning Signs Among the GOP  —  It's not inconceivable that Republicans might start seeing things go against them in the court of public opinion, starting with the current spending debate.  —  Until recently, Republicans were taking solace in a number of things as they looked forward to 2012.

Maine Mural Controversy: U.S. Labor Department Says Put It Back Up Or Repay The Money … Department Of Labor , Department Of Labor Maine , Labor Mural , Labor Protests , Maine Mural , Paul Lepage , Paul Lepage Maine , Paul Lepage Maine Governor , Paul Lepage Mural , Politics News

Romney leads in NH, Trump makes things interesting  —  Mitt Romney's still the clear early front runner to take the Republican primary in New Hampshire next year but for the first time in our polling of the race PPP finds someone within single digits of him...Donald Trump.

Toby Harnden  —  Toby Harnden is the Daily Telegraph's US Editor, based in Washington DC.  Click here for Toby's website.  His email is toby.harnden@telegraph-usa.com.  Follow him on Twitter here @tobyharnden and on Facebook here.  His second book, Dead Men Risen, is available through Telegraph Books.

Racial slur led to fight with Illinois trooper, student says  —  CARLINVILLE  • The politically connected head of Gov. Pat Quinn's Southern Illinois security detail used a racial slur against a black college student in a Carlinville bar, starting a fight that preceded the officer's resignation, the student says.

ElBaradei: We'll fight back if Israel attacks Gaza  —  In interview with Arab newspaper, former IAEA chief says if elected as Egypt's next president he will open Rafah crossing in case of an Israeli attack  —  Former International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei …

Bloody pig's foot sent to Rep. Peter King  —  Authorities intercepted a parcel this morning addressed to Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) containing a bloody pig's foot and a derogatory message, a source has confirmed to CBS News.  —  The parcel was intercepted at the Congressional mail facility in Landover …

Supreme Court tosses private-school tax-credit challenge  —  The Supreme Court on Monday made it harder for taxpayers to bring court challenges of government programs that aid religious organizations, throwing out a lawsuit against an Arizona tax-credit program that helps private schools.

Radiation in water rushing into sea tests millions of times over limit  —  Tokyo (CNN) — Japanese utility and government authorities suffered fresh setbacks Tuesday with the detection of radiation in a fish and news that water gushing from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific …

Bachmann begins to overshadow Palin as more-likely White House contender  —  The vacuum created by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) absence from the 2012 campaign trail presents a major opportunity for the woman she once hinted might share a presidential ticket with her: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

Graham Responds to Steyn, Stuttaford  —  In response to the criticism by Mark Steyn and Andrew Stuttaford about his weekend comments on free speech and Koran burning, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) called me this afternoon to flesh out his thoughts on the matter.  —  Here is the transcript:

Obama, The God That Failed  —  As someone who has studied, taught, and written about the Middle East for years, I'm the first to concede that President Obama has a tough task.  What would I do about Libya if I were president?  How about Egypt?  —  I'm not exactly sure.

Mitch Daniels to give education speech in Washington  —  Mitch Daniels has been mostly tethered to Indianapolis during a contentious legislative session, but he's planning a trip to Washington next month to deliver what's sure to be a high-profile speech on education.

Campaign to recall Wirch says it has enough signatures  —  The head of the campaign to recall Sen. Robert Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) says the group has gathered enough signatures to force a recall election.  —  Dan Hunt, chairman of Taxpayers to Recall Robert Wirch, says his organization has …