NBC/WSJ poll: Cain now leads GOP pack  —  The pizza CEO's ascent, and Perry's decline — probably not the last shakeup  —  Below:  —  Deputy political director  —  updated 2011-10-12T22:28:08  —  Fueled by Tea Party supporters, conservatives and high-interest GOP primary voters …

Occupy Wall Street protester: I want my college tuition paid because that's what I want; Update: Landlord asks cops to clear Zuccotti Park — for cleaning  —  An instant classic from Charles Cooke at NRO, and also the two most excruciating minutes you'll spend today.

Wall Street Journal circulation scam claims senior Murdoch executive  —  Andrew Langhoff resigns as European publishing chief after exposure of secret channels of cash to help boost sales figures  —  One of Rupert Murdoch's most senior European executives has resigned following Guardian inquiries …

Conceding One to the Critics  —  As readers of this site have no doubt noticed, I'm not one who is greatly troubled by hostile criticism.  —  On the other hand, sometimes the critics make a valid point.  When they do, I'm not too obstinate to concede.  —  For years, I've shared …

DOJ: Feds Can Tell Church Who Its Ministers Will Be  —  In yet another stunning attack on freedom of religion, President Barack Obama's Justice Department asked the Supreme Court last week to give the federal government the power to tell a church who its ministers will be.

Japanese Government Nixed Idea of Obama Visiting, Apologizing for, Hiroshima*  —  In September 2009, US Ambassador to Japan John Roos reported to the Obama administration that the Japanese government did not think it was a good idea for President Obama to visit Hiroshima to apologize …

Solar Firm That Received $1.2 Billion Federal Loan Plagued by Financial Problems  —  With the Solyndra scandal still swirling, the Obama administration is under pressure to reveal the financial condition of the solar companies that received $4.75 billion in similar federal loan guarantees on the last day of the program.

Scott Brown web message mirrors 2002 Elizabeth Dole speech  —  WASHINGTON - A Democratic group has unearthed a bit of inspirational autobiography on Senator Scott Brown's official website that was lifted verbatim from a 2002 campaign speech by Elizabeth Dole.

N.H.'s Bill Gardner to Nevada: Drop dead  —  Bill Gardner just flipped the Republicans the bird.  Again.  —  In a three-page statement released Wednesday afternoon, the New Hampshire secretary of state reiterated his independence and said he'll move the primary up as far as necessary …

Biden Warns of More Rapes and Murders If Jobs Bill Is Not Passed  —  In Flint, Michigan, Vice President Joe Biden suggested that more rapes and murders could occur if President Barack Obama's jobs bill is not passed.  —  “In 2008, when Flint had 265 sworn officers on their police force …

To the Barricades  —  Gail Collins: David, I was sorry to see you didn't have a little bit of sympathy for the Occupy Wall Street protesters.  —  David Brooks: The only survey I've seen on who these people are was conducted by New York magazine.  Three percent are mainstream liberals of the Barack Obama variety.

Holmes County: Two more arrests in Amish attacks  —  Eli M. Miller, 32, and Daniel S. Mullet, 37, surrendered in connection with the recent attack on a fellow Amish man, a 74-year-old who had his beard cut during the incident.  Both are charged with aggravated burglary and kidnapping.

Congress OKs 3 trade deals  —  Congress on Wednesday approved three long-stalled free-trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.  —  Advocates say the deals will result in the export of billions of dollars of U.S. goods and boost hundreds of thousands of American jobs.

All the Single Ladies  —  IN 2001, WHEN I was 28, I broke up with my boyfriend.  Allan and I had been together for three years, and there was no good reason to end things.  He was (and remains) an exceptional person, intelligent, good-looking, loyal, kind.

Rep. Curry Todd Arrested for DUI  —  Nashville, Tn - Local state representative Curry Todd has been arrested in Nashville.  He is charged with DUI and possession of a handgun while under the influence.  —  Police picked him up around 11:15 Tuesday night.  —  Todd is a Republican from Collierville.