GOP elite see Mitch Daniels as 2012 savior  —  Top Republicans are increasingly convinced that President Barack Obama will be easily reelected if stronger GOP contenders do not emerge, and some are virtually begging Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to add some excitement to the slow-starting nomination race.

Ben Stein Watch, DSK edition  —  Without further ado, the top ten lines from Ben Stein's article on Dominique Strauss-Kahn:  — If he is such a womanizer and violent guy with women, why didn't he ever get charged until now?  — This is a case about the hatred of the have-nots for the haves, and that's what it's all about.

Senate Refuses to End Tax Breaks for Big Oil  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday blocked a Democratic proposal to strip the five leading oil companies of tax breaks that backers of the measure said were unfairly padding industry profits while consumers were struggling with high gas prices.

White House shuts out Herald scribe  —  The White House Press Office has refused to give the Boston Herald full access to President Obama's Boston fund-raiser today, in e-mails objecting to the newspaper's front page placement of a Mitt Romney op-ed, saying pool reporters are chosen based on whether they cover the news “fairly.”

Catholic Church Investigation Says Hippies Made Catholic Priests Sexually Abuse Children  —  Laurie Goodstein reports on the release of an inquiry by American bishops into sex abuse scandals: … This hippie-blaming strategy seems unlikely to persuade anyone.

Democrats' Oil Subsidy Repeal Bill Is Actually Unconstitutional  —  Republicans may have a point that Democrats are playing politics with oil subsidies.  To understand why, look no further than the fact that the bill Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will bring to the floor for a vote Tuesday evening …

Thomas defends ideals of court  —  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas told a packed dinner crowd of Augusta's judges, lawyers and politicians Tuesday that while discourse in American society seems to be growing coarser and angrier, the Supreme Court remains a bastion of respectful disagreement …

State Department snubs the Elders  —  Former President Jimmy Carter and former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari were hoping to visit the State Department this week to brief officials on their recent trip to North Korea, but nobody at the State Department was available to meet with them.

Obama to Pledge New Mideast Aid  —  WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama will announce this week a new aid plan for the Middle East and North Africa that U.S. officials say will be far bolder than previous American economic assistance to the region.  —  Mr. Obama will outline the plan …

With Huckabee Out, No Clear GOP Front-Runner  —  Bachmann and Cain generate high positive intensity among those who know them  —  PRINCETON, NJ — With Mike Huckabee out of the race for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, three well-known politicians, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin …

Obama: “My People, You Continue to Have My Blessing.”  —  What kind of political leader tells his supporters this? … President Obama does.  That's what he said toward the end a speech at a campaign fundraiser last night in Washington to a relatively youthful crowd of supporters …

Rick Perry Presidential Push Quietly Gains Steam  —  As many grass-roots Republicans remain in search of a conservative candidate with the pizazz to go toe-to-toe against President Obama, a man from deep in the heart of Texas who was tea party before the tea party was cool, appears to be giving the presidential race some thought.

Clinton says Obama believes 8 years is enough  —  WASHINGTON - Eight years as president is enough, thank you.  At least that's what Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says President Barack Obama told her the other day.  —  Clinton said Tuesday that she and Obama often marvel …

What CNN's story on political sex scandals left out: Eliot Spitzer  —  A TVNewser reader Tweeted at us today: … The answer: yes it did.  —  Suzanne Malveaux's story, which aired at 2:30pmET, made mention or showed images of politicians ranging from John F. Kennedy to John Edwards …

CIA flew stealth drones into Pakistan to monitor bin Laden house  —  The CIA employed sophisticated new stealth drone aircraft to fly dozens of secret missions deep into Pakistani airspace and monitor the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed, current and former U.S. officials said.

Prayer request for Osama bin Laden at Catholic Church in West Palm Beach  —  Priest to honor request at Sunday Mass  —  Last Updated: 3 hours and 54 minutes ago  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The name of Osama bin Laden appears in the Holy Name of Jesus Sunday bulletin.  There's a cross next to it.

Ron Paul fears US will invade Pakistan next  —  GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul is worried the U.S. could invade Pakistan after Osama bin Laden's death.  —  “I am absolutely afraid we will be in Pakistan trying to occupy that country,” Paul, a congressman from Texas and a critic of the wars …

Protester Dumps Glitter on Newt and Wife  —  GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista were hit with glittery confetti by a protester Tuesday during the couple's appearance at a book-signing.  —  The man approached the Gingriches during the signing at a downtown Minneapolis hotel …