Cain aide wrongly insists they've ‘confirmed’ accuser's son works for POLITICO  —  Herman Cain campaign manager Mark Block, in an appearance with Sean Hannity on Fox News just now, insisted that a relative of the second woman to publicly accuse the candidate of sexual harassment in the 1990s works at POLITICO.

A Very Good Night for Democrats  —  In state elections across the country Tuesday, voters rejected Republican attempts to pursue a far right-wing agenda  —  Democrats had a very good election night on Tuesday.  —  Their cherished causes prevailed, they kept their statehouses …

Obama Couldn't Wait: His New Christmas Tree Tax  —  President Obama's Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.

Va. elections: GOP Senate takeover hangs on 86 votes  —  Virginia Democrats' hopes of maintaining their party's hold on the Commonwealth's upper house were very much in doubt late Tuesday, hinging on a razor-thin count in a single Senate district.  —  When the ballot-counting ended for the night …

Anti-abortion ‘personhood’ amendment fails in Mississippi  —  A constitutional amendment that would have defined a fertilized egg as a person failed on the ballot in Mississippi on Tuesday, dealing the so-called “personhood” movement another blow.  —  Amendment 26 supporter Sandy Comer puts …

Bloomberg defends New York's Occupy protesters  —  Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York City on Wednesday, saying that his city has not had the “the kinds of things you see in other cities where people are running in the streets and destroying commerce.”

Why Gingrich Could Win  —  Herman Cain's prospects were good until this week brought accusatory testimony from a woman who showed up in person, with detail.  —  Newt Gingrich's rise in the polls—from near zero to the third slot in several polls—should come as no surprise to people …

Ohio Voters Reject Republican-Backed Union Limits  —  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state's new collective bargaining law was defeated Tuesday after an expensive union-backed campaign that pitted firefighters, police officers and teachers against the Republican establishment.

House Republican lawmakers want out of Norquist tax pledge  —  Grover Norquist's grip on the House Republican Conference is loosening.  —  A growing number of GOP lawmakers have disavowed Norquist's pledge against supporting tax increases in recent days, telling The Hill they no longer feel bound …

GOP Rep. Joe Walsh Melts Down, Screams At Constituents: ‘Dont Blame Banks!...I Am Tired Of Hearing That Crap!’  —  Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) erupts at a constituent who asked about the bank lobby  —  Freshman Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) is known for his anti-Obama rhetoric on cable television and his inability to pay his child support payments.

Occupy Oakland makes $20K deposit at Wells Fargo  —  Last week, one or more Occupy Oakland protesters smashed the windows of a Wells Fargo branch.  —  This week, the group's general assembly agreed — in a near-unanimous vote Monday — to temporarily place $20,000 of the group's money …

About Peter Orszag  —  Orszag: Winds of Change Blow Away College Degree  —  Many parents in the U.S. are legitimately concerned about the prospects for their college-age children.  After all, today's students face three overlapping challenges: a long-term structural shift …

Man found dead in Occupy New Orleans encampment  —  A 53-year-old man was found dead Tuesday inside a tent pitched at the Occupy New Orleans encampment at Duncan Plaza across from City Hall.  He appears to have been living in the tent inside the occupation zone, said John Gagliano …

Court will draw Texas map in boon to Democrats  —  In a boost to Democrats' chances of retaking the House next year, federal judges in Texas will draw a map for the state's 2012 congressional races.  —  A Washington, D.C., federal court on Tuesday declined to sign off on redistricting plan spearheaded by the state Republican Party.

Italy's Debt Crisis Deepens Despite Berlusconi's Pledge to Quit  —  ROME — Italy's financial crisis deepened on Wednesday despite a pledge by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to resign once Parliament passes austerity measures demanded by the European Union.