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.

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.”

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: “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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Church Report Cites Social Tumult in Priest Scandals  —  A five-year study commissioned by the nation's Roman Catholic bishops to provide a definitive answer to what caused the priest sexual abuse crisis has concluded that neither the all-male celibate priesthood nor homosexuality are to blame.

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 …

Obama Expects Modest Fundraising Quarter  —  The Democratic National Committee comes first—for now.  —  Barack Obama and his family on election night in 2008.  The president's reelection team expects to raise about as much in 2012 as it did in 2008.  —  President Obama's reelection campaign …

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.

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 …

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.

Is This Arnold Schwarzenegger's Love Child?  —  News of Arnold Schwarzenegger having fathered a child with a member of his household staff more than a decade ago shouldn't come as a surprise.  The alleged existence of an out-of-wedlock son, including his name and his mother's name, was reported by the London Daily Mail in 2003.

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 …

Healthcare reform waivers part of ‘crony politics,’ Pawlenty says  —  Likely GOP presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday added to already widespread criticism of healthcare reform law waivers, calling the practice an example of “crony politics.”  —  Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor …

Darrell Issa's recess included trip to Puerto Rico  —  House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, who as the House GOP's lead watchdog has questioned the legitimacy of some Obama administration travel, jetted to Puerto Rico during the recess on a taxpayer-funded trip that included work …

Chris Matthews: ‘Sarah Palin Has Proven Herself To Be Profoundly Stupid’  —  When MSNBC's Chris Matthews isn't calling a potential Republican presidential candidate racist, he's calling them idiots.  —  On Tuesday's “Hardball,” after one of his guests said, “We shouldn't forget Sarah Palin” …

Coburn out of Gang of Six talks  —  Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) announced Tuesday that he would pull out of the talks with two other Republican and three Democratic colleagues.  —  Coburn said the talks have collapsed over the tough issue of entitlement reform.