Defiant Team Perry's plan: Hit harder  —  Rick Perry's widely panned debate performances?  Just a hiccup.  Any major changes in debate prep?  None planned.  His unexpected and deflating Florida straw poll loss last weekend?  Not a big deal.  —  Even as some of his supporters grow anxious …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Despite Negativity, Americans Mixed on Ideal Role of Gov't  —  At the same time, the majority tend to see government reaching too far  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans have divided opinions when asked to think broadly about the purpose of government.  About as many Americans (35%) …

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 …

Amazon Unveils $199 Kindle Fire Tablet, Targeting IPad  —  Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), the world's largest online retailer, unveiled its Kindle Fire tablet computer, taking aim at Apple Inc. (AAPL)'s bestselling iPad with a device that's smaller and less than half the price.

Judge OKs key parts of Alabama immigration law  —  A federal judge gave a green light for Alabama to enforce some of the most controversial parts of its toughest-in-the-nation immigration law, ruling that certain measures do not violate federal law.  —  U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn ruled …

As Scorn for Vote Grows, Protests Surge Around Globe  —  MADRID — Hundreds of thousands of disillusioned Indians cheer a rural activist on a hunger strike.  Israel reels before the largest street demonstrations in its history.  Enraged young people in Spain and Greece take over public squares across their countries.

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” …

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.

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.

9/11 Memorial Gun Ban Outrages First Responders, Retired Cops  —  LOWER MANHATTAN — Ten years and one week after Robert Reardon rushed to the fires at Ground Zero, the retired NYPD detective returned to the attack site and tried to visit the new 9/11 Memorial for the first time.

A President Who's Well-Liked Falls Well Short On Execution  —  President Obama faces head winds from independents, an important voting bloc for re-election in 2012.  Many of them think well of him personally, but they are disenchanted.  They don't like his policies, and they see him as inexperienced.

Euro Crisis  —  Related articles, background features and opinions about this topic.  —  The World from Berlin  —  Obama's Euro-Crisis Lecture Is ‘Pitiful and Sad’  —  Obama slammed the Europeans at an event in Mountain View, California on Monday.  —  US President Obama has given …

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 …

This War Can Still Be Won  —  RETURNING home after 14 months in Afghanistan, I've sensed a growing gloom over the American war effort there.  Many of the policy wonks, politicos and academics I encounter here seem resigned to failure.  —  While sipping their Starbucks, a few mutter the word “unwinnable.”