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.

Congress Takes Group Of Schoolchildren Hostage  —  WASHINGTON—Brandishing shotguns and semiautomatic pistols, members of the 112th U.S. Congress took a class of visiting schoolchildren hostage this morning, barricading themselves inside the Capitol rotunda, where they remain at press time.

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 …

Janeane Garofalo: Racist Republicans Support Herman Cain  —  Janeane Garofalo: “Herman Cain is probably well liked by some of the Republicans because it hides the racist elements of the Republican party.  Conservative movement and tea party movement, one in the same. ”

A ‘Furious’ revelation  —  This just might be the smoking gun we've been waiting for to break the festering “Fast and Furious” gun-running scandal wide open: the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apparently ordered one of its own agents to purchase firearms with taxpayer money …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Obama: A disaster for civil liberties  —  He may prove the most disastrous president in our history in terms of civil liberties.  —  President Obama failed to close Guantanamo Bay, continued warrantless surveillance and military tribunals and asserted the right to kill U.S. citizens he views as terrorists.

The Perils of Ignoring History  —  There is an optimistic scenario for the U.S. economy: Europe gets its act together.  The pace of world growth quickens, igniting demand for U.S. exports.  American politicians agree to a credible compromise that gives the economy a fiscal boost now and restrains deficits later.

Anti-Obama sign in Uptown neighborhood draws controversy  —  NEW ORLEANS — There are several political signs attracting all kinds of attention in one Uptown neighborhood.  —  On Wednesday, crowds gathered at the corner of Calhoun and Coralie streets, looking at several signs depicting President Barack Obama …

Killing the Recovery  —  The world has barely dug out of recession and the global economy is again slowing dangerously.  Most leaders seem eager to make things even worse.  —  Instead of looking for ways to reignite growth, Europe's leaders — and Republicans on Capitol Hill — are determined to slash public spending.

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 …

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 …

Americans reject the right's bogus ‘class warfare’ charge  —  It's become an article of faith among conservatives — and even some neutral commentators — that Obama'a newly aggressive populism and call for tax hikes on the rich is “class warfare,” a nakedly partisan play for the Democratic base …

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 …