Allen West tirade: Wasserman Schultz ‘vile...despicable...not a Lady’  —  Florida GOP Congressman Allen West this afternoon dispatched a scathing personal email to Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, calling her “vile, unprofessional ,and despicable,” “a coward …

Two House lawmakers call for vote on Gang of Six plan  —  A House Republican and a member of the New Democrat coalition are jointly calling on Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to bring the Senate's “Gang of Six” deficit-reduction proposal to a House vote alongside an increase in the debt ceiling.

Reporter Accosted After Bachmann Comments on Migraines  —  It's not easy to get to Michele Bachmann.  Her appearance at a rally on Tuesday in Aiken, South Carolina, attended by perhaps 150 people, featured three uniformed police officers and two body guards in plain clothes.

Phone hacking: David Cameron braced for tough questions from MPs  —  Prime minister likely to be asked about his party's links to phone-hacking suspect in Commons debate following his statement to house  —  David Cameron is braced for tough questions from MPs about his party's links …

ABC News/Washington Post Poll: Dissatisfaction With Washington Hits 19-Year High  —  Analysis by ABC News' Pollster Gary Langer (@LangerResearch):  —  Discontent with Washington's budget battles has spurred public dissatisfaction with the federal government to its highest level in nearly 20 years …

At this Point, Anyone with an Obama 2012 Bumper Sticker is a Threat to the Gene Pool  —  Greetings to our constituents, fellow Floridians, and all Americans, here we are for another weekly update.  There is only one word that describes the past week: appalling.

Iowa caucuses in December?  It's possible  —  That's not the only domino.  With South Carolina's primary facing money troubles after state funding for election operations was cut, Florida — which had been planning to go fifth, on March 1 or 3 — has been pushing to go earlier.

Report: Obama top recipient of News Corp. donations  —  Political donations by News Corp., its employees and their families were evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, with President Obama the all-time leading recipient, according to a report from the Sunlight Foundation.

What should taxpayers think about the “Gang of Six” announcement today?  —  Americans for Tax Reform today released the following statement from Grover Norquist, president of the group:  —  “What should taxpayers think about the ‘Gang of Six’ announcement today?

Democratic senator Hansen retains seat in recall attempt  —  Tea party activist, attorney are winners in Republican primaries  —  By Tom Tolan, Lee Bergquist and Georgia Pabst of the Journal Sentinel  —  Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen of Green Bay was the first of nine state senators …

Finally, Minnesota open for business  —  Minnesota's legislature approved a budget deal in the early hours of Wednesday morning that will end the state's 20-day government shutdown - the longest ever in a state - once Gov. Mark Dayton signs it later in the day.

Obama to Back Repeal of Law Restricting Marriage  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama will endorse a bill to repeal the law that limits the legal definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman, the White House said Tuesday, taking another step in support of gay rights.

Is Obama Against Romney a Toss-Up?  —  Looking at head-to-head polls can be treacherous so far in advance of a presidential election.  Instead, I'd suggest that you devote most of your attention to President Obama's approval ratings and perhaps the favorability ratings of the Republican candidates …

A Dodd-Frank Retreat Deserves a Veto  —  Only six congressional Republicans crossed the aisle to support reform one year ago.  The GOP is still working to thwart change.  —  Two and a half years ago, with our country on the edge of a second Great Depression, we met with the president …

Cost-Cutters, Except When the Spending Is Back Home  —  WASHINGTON — Freshman House Republicans who rode a wave of voter discontent into office last year vowed to stop out-of-control spending, but that has not stopped several of them from quietly trying to funnel millions of federal dollars into projects back home.

Apple Reports Third Quarter Results  —  All-Time Record Revenue and Earnings  —  iPhone Sales Grow 142 Percent; iPad Sales Grow 183 Percent  —  Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2011 third quarter ended June 25, 2011.  The Company posted record quarterly revenue …

Step aside, senator  —  Freshman Sen. Ron Johnson is blocking a well-qualified candidate from appointment to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.  Give her a hearing.  —  Republican Sen. Ron Johnson is single-handedly blocking the nomination of a University of Wisconsin law professor …

Rick Perry: Counting Up the Money  —  Could Texas Gov. Rick Perry raise enough money for a presidential run? … Mr. Perry has drummed up a frenzy over a possible bid.  Last week, he called up GOP power brokers in Iowa and New Hampshire, and on Saturday he told the biggest newspaper in Iowa that he feels …