Republicans take 4 of 6 in recall elections, hold Senate  —  Both sides see victories in hard-fought contests  —  By Tom Tolan and Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel  —  Democrats won two state Senate seats in Tuesday's historic recall elections, but failed to capture a third seat …

New CNN Poll: Majority want tax increase for wealthy and deep spending cuts  —  Washington (CNN) - Most Americans want a special congressional committee tasked with drafting a long-term solution to the nation's mounting federal deficits to include tax hikes for the wealthy and businesses …

Santorum: Perry marriage stance ‘destructive’  —  Rick Santorum's identified a new way to boost his presidential prospects: attack Rick Perry for his position on gay marriage.  —  “When someone who is a serious candidate for president is doing things that will be destructive …

Jon Huntsman for President  —  In 2008, Florida and the presidency went to Barack Obama because he offered hope.  To defeat the President in 2012, we need a candidate who will offer solutions.  That man is Jon Huntsman.  —  Today at 11:15 a.m. at Scotty's Landing in Miami …

The Happy Warrior  —  This week's Newsweek magazine features the cover on the right, which has not too surprisingly stirred outrage from conservatives (see here and here for some reactions) saying that the liberal media are out to get Michele Bachmann.  Are they right?

A New Strategy for Economic Growth  —  Growth is not just about economics.  Growth unleashes human potential.  —  As the economy continues to struggle, we are reminded of a course offered at Yale University titled “Grand Strategy.”  Drawing on a weighty curriculum of history and philosophy …

Pop Quiz: Why Are Tuitions So High?  —  College students and their families have struggled to pay for the rising cost of tuition, a cost that has been driven in part by swelling administrative expenses.  —  Over a 20-year period, the growth in administrative personnel at institutions …

U.S. Says Strike Killed Taliban Who Downed Copter  —  WASHINGTON — An American airstrike has killed the Taliban fighters believed responsible for shooting down a Chinook helicopter, killing 38 people including 30 American military personnel, the senior commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday.

Why the President Doesn't Present a Bold Plan to Create Jobs and Jumpstart the Economy  —  Americans are deeply confused about why the economy is so bad - and their President isn't telling them.  In fact, the White House apparently has decided to join with Republicans and blame it on the long-term budget deficit.

Michele Bachmann Repeatedly Sought Stimulus, EPA, Other Government Funds … WASHINGTON — Few candidates in the Republican presidential primary field have decried the federal government with as much gusto as Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).  The three-term congresswoman has belittled the stimulus package …

The (Real) Rent Is Too Damn High  —  “Incidentally, [Yglesias is] also demanding higher inflation while writing a book called, The Rent is Too Damn High.”  —  Ironic, innit?  But the issue here is that inflation raises the general economy-wide nominal price level.

No Plans for 2013, but an Actor Seems Focused on the Mayor's Office  —  Alec Baldwin is not running for mayor of New York — yet.  —  First, Mr. Baldwin, a 53-year-old actor and Long Island native, wants to finish his work on his television show, “30 Rock,” then go back to school and learn what the job is all about.

China's Economy Is Headed for a Slowdown  —  Beijing's export-oriented strategy can't continue forever.  —  As China fitfully tries to rebalance its economy, a small but rising number of Chinese economists are beginning to predict sharply lower annual growth rates of 6% to 7% over the next few years.

New York City Will Mandate Sex Education  —  For the first time in nearly two decades, students in New York City's public middle and high schools will be required to take sex-education classes beginning this year, using a curriculum that includes lessons on how to use a condom and the appropriate age for sexual activity.

Dem spokesman accuses GOP of dirty tricks in Waukesha vote count  —  By Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel  —  A state Democratic Party spokesman accused a Republican official Tuesday night of tampering with votes in the tight 8th Senate District recall race.

A Test for Obama's View of a One-Term Presidency  —  WASHINGTON — It was a year and a half ago when President Obama told Diane Sawyer of ABC News in an interview that he would rather be a good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president.  —  Now, coming off one of his worst weeks …

How to make the best of the long malaise  —  The only good thing about the continuing barrage of bad economic news is that it could have been worse: all three rating agencies could have downgraded the US, stock markets could have fallen further and the US could have defaulted on its debt.