Is This Man the G.O.P.'s Best Bet for 2012?  —  Gail Collins: David, are you reconciled to the fact that Mitt Romney is going to be the Republican presidential nominee?  —  David Brooks: Oh, I went through that phase a few weeks ago after the debate at the Reagan library.

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 …

More solar companies led by Democratic donors received federal loan guarantees  —  A Daily Caller investigation has found that in addition to the failed company Solyndra, at least four other solar panel manufacturing companies receiving in excess of $500 million in loan guarantees …

California and Bust  —  The smart money says the U.S. economy will splinter, with some states thriving, some states not, and all eyes are on California as the nightmare scenario.  After a hair-raising visit with former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who explains why the Golden State has cratered …

Obama's health reform law rests with the Supreme Court  —  “Unfortunately the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Affordable Care Act's individual responsibility provision.  We strongly disagree with their decision and today, the Obama administration will ask the Supreme Court to hear this case …

Christie seriously considering presidential bid after GOP prodding  —  By JOSH MARGOLIN in New York and S.A. MILLER in Washington  —  After months of hedging, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is giving serious thought to jumping into the ring for a GOP presidential run — and could make his decision next week, The Post has learned.

Chris Christie: Is New Jersey Governor Too Overweight to Become President?  —  For Chris Christie, there was no way around it.  “In case you haven't noticed, I'm slightly overweight,” he said during a debate in his successful campaign for governor.  —  Two years later, Christie is the man …

Democrats Dispirited About Voting in 2012  —  Republicans' enthusiasm for voting matches 2004 and exceeds 2008  —  PRINCETON, NJ — In thinking about the 2012 presidential election, 45% of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic say they are more enthusiastic about voting than usual …

Romney addresses his Achilles' heel  —  Last week, in one of the more amusing political claims of the year, Mitt Romney boasted, “I stand by my positions.  I'm proud of them.”  Given Romney's record of abandoning every policy position he's ever taken, it was hard not to marvel at his shamelessness.

Top Giuliani adviser meets with NH Republicans  —  CONCORD, N.H. — Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani dispatched a key emissary to New Hampshire on Wednesday to gauge their interest in his possible presidential bid.  —  One of the mayor's closest political advisers, Jake Menges …

Register exclusive: Newt Gingrich releases ‘21st Century Contract with America’  —  Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, with his wife, Callista.  (AP photo)  —  Republican Newt Gingrich, who has positioned himself as the idea guy in this presidential campaign, will today call for Americans …

NYC Mayor Bloomberg: 'Government's Highest Duty' Is to Push ‘Healthy’ Foods  —  (CNSNews.com) - During a United Nations General Assembly summit on non-communicable diseases — a discussion that included diet and eating habits — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said …

Georgia announces primary date  —  (CNN) - The state of Georgia will hold its GOP presidential primary March 6, 2012 on Super Tuesday.  The decision keeps the original date of the state's primary intact.

Alabama Wins in Ruling on Its Immigration Law  —  A federal judge on Wednesday upheld most of the sections of Alabama's far-reaching immigration law that had been challenged by the Obama administration, including portions that had been blocked in other states.

Santorum defends early-primary states  —  Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) called to protect the sanctity of the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, who may have to move up their primary and caucus dates because of Florida's likely move to a late January primary.

Interns File Suit Against ‘Black Swan’ Producer  —  Two men who worked on the hit movie “Black Swan” have mounted an unusual challenge to the film industry's widely accepted practice of unpaid internships by filing a lawsuit on Wednesday asserting that the production company had violated minimum wage …

Deportation would force 19-year-old and mom to leave ‘everything I know’, including dad and siblings  —  Nadia Habib who is facing deportation to Bangladesh, packs at her Queens home Wednesday night.  Her and her mother are only allowed one 50-lb suitcase.  —  Her suitcase is packed …

Companies Use Immigration Crackdown to Turn a Profit  —  The men showed up in a small town in Australia's outback early last year, offering top dollar for all available lodgings.  Within days, their company, Serco, was flying in recruits from as far away as London, and busing them from trailers …

OVERNIGHT MONEY: Smooth sailing for the CR  —  THURSDAY'S BIG STORY  —  The House is on course Thursday to pass a one-week spending bill that will keep the government running through Oct. 4.  The measure is expected to be approved by unanimous consent; leadership isn't expecting anyone to jump ship on the vote, aides said.

Listeria outbreak expected to cause more deaths across US in coming weeks  —  Outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe melons from Colorado farm has caused at least 72 illnesses and up to 16 deaths so far  —  An outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe melons in the US may cause more illness and deaths in coming weeks, say health officials.