Rick Perry to Newsmax: I Regret ‘Heartless’ Comment on Immigration  —  More ways to share...  Mixx  —  Stumbled  —  LinkedIn  —  Vine  —  Buzzflash  —  Newstrust  —  Technocrati  —  Forward Article  —  Presidential candidate Rick Perry on Wednesday apologized for saying …

Romney up in Florida  —  Rick Perry's led the Republican field in every Southern state that we've polled since he entered the Presidential race...until now.  Mitt Romney continues to lead the way in Florida with 30% to 24% for Perry, 10% for Gingrich, 8% for Ron Paul, 7% for Herman Cain …

Christie's Father: ‘I Think He Would Beat Obama’  —  Trenton, N.J. — Bill Christie, Gov. Chris Christie's father, tells National Review Online that his son will make the final decision about a presidential bid.  But as the governor mulls, he can count his father as one of many Republicans …

Solyndra Said to Have Violated Terms of Its U.S. Loan  —  Solyndra LLC had such steep financial problems in late 2010 that the company violated terms of its loan-guarantee agreement with the Department of Energy and technically defaulted on its $535 million loan, according to people familiar with the matter.

Justice Dept. Asks Supreme Court for Health Care Ruling  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to hear a case concerning the 2010 health care overhaul law.  The development came unexpectedly fast and makes it all but certain that the court will soon agree …

What's behind the scorn for the Wall Street protests?  —  It's unsurprising that establishment media outlets have been condescending, dismissive and scornful of the ongoing protests on Wall Street.  Any entity that declares itself an adversary of prevailing institutional power is going to be viewed …

First on CNN: Florida will likely hold Jan. primary, threatening presidential calendar  —  Washington (CNN) — Florida is now expected to hold its presidential primary on the last day in January 2012, a move likely to throw the carefully arranged Republican nominating calendar into disarray …

Man arrested in ‘step-by-step’ plot to blow up Capitol, Pentagon  —  The FBI arrested and charged a man Wednesday for allegedly plotting to blow up the Capitol and the Pentagon.  —  The 26-year-old Massachusetts man, Rezwan Ferdaus, was arrested as part of an FBI sting operation …

A Tea Party Invitation to Morgan Freeman  —  My name is Ali Akbar.  I'm a 26 year-old African-American small business owner and a tea party activist.  I'm not writing to rake you over the coals in the way that many conservatives have done in the last 48 hours.

Setti Warren said to be quitting US Senate race  —  Newton mayor Setti Warren, whose US Senate campaign has been short on cash and eclipsed by the emergence of Elizabeth Warren, plans to announce tomorrow that he is dropping out, according to an early supporter who received a phone call this afternoon.

Police Dept. to Examine Pepper-Spray Episode  —  Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said on Wednesday that the Internal Affairs Bureau “will look” into the decision of a high-ranking officer to use pepper spray on a number of female protesters at an Occupy Wall Street demonstration on Saturday.

Palin sends more mixed signals  —  Sarah Palin, as often, sent ambivalent signals in her interview on Fox News last night.  —  The clip that everyone is buzzing about last night and this morning as a sign that she's leaning against a run: … I say “ambivalent signals” because …

Al-Qaida calls on Ahmadinejad to end 9/11 conspiracy theories  —  Terrorist organisation's magazine reportedly says it is ‘ridiculous’ for Iran's president to blame the attacks on the US government  —  Al-Qaida has sent a message to the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad …

The Permanent Candidate  —  What's Driving Rick Perry?  —  The Tea Party movement had not yet fully impinged on the nation's consciousness when Rick Perry stepped to the podium outside Austin City Hall on April 15, 2009, to speak at a tax-day protest.  Wearing a big “DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS” …

Obama Jobs Plan May Prevent 2012 Recession  —  President Barack Obama's $447 billion jobs plan would help avoid a return to recession by maintaining growth and pushing down the unemployment rate next year, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.  —  The legislation …

New audio: NC governor struck serious tone on suspending congressional elections  —  If it was a joke, North Carolina Democratic Governor Bev Perdue needs to polish her delivery.  —  Newly released audio contradicts the claims of Perdue's press team that her call Tuesday for suspending Congressional election was a joke or hyperbole.

Rights Collide as Town Clerk Sidesteps Role in Gay Marriages  —  LEDYARD, N.Y. — Rose Marie Belforti is a 57-year-old cheese maker, the elected town clerk in this sprawling Finger Lakes farming community and a self-described Bible-believing Christian.  She believes that God has condemned homosexuality …