Debates take toll on Republican field  —  Televised debates have had an outsize impact on this year's Republican presidential race.  But the demands of the debating schedule — Saturday's event in South Carolina was the eleventh major clash — is taking its toll on the candidates, who find themselves constantly preparing for primetime.

Some Democrats refuse to back Obama  —  Sen. Joe Lieberman was treated like an outcast back in 2008 when he broke from the Senate Democratic Caucus and openly opposed Barack Obama's bid for the White House.  —  Asked last week if he'd back Obama in 2012, the Connecticut independent said, “I don't know what I'm going to do.”

The New Progressive Movement  —  OCCUPY WALL STREET and its allied movements around the country are more than a walk in the park.  They are most likely the start of a new era in America.  Historians have noted that American politics moves in long swings.  We are at the end of the 30-year Reagan era …

REVEALED: Nancy Pelosi Blocked Credit Card Reform While Investing Millions in Exclusive Visa Stock Offering  —  Former Speaker of the House-and current Minority Leader-Nancy Pelosi apparently bought $1 million to $5 million of Visa stock in one of the most sought-after and profitable initial public offerings …

Gloria Cain speaks out about sexual harassment allegations  —  In her first televised interview ever, Gloria Cain, wife of Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain, sat down with her husband and said that the allegations of sexual harassment against him don't square with the man she knows.

Families say Sandusky had free rein  —  No one said no to Jerry Sandusky.  —  That's the underlying message from those closest to the alleged victims in the child-molestation scandal that has engulfed Pennsylvania State University.  —  After all, Jerry Sandusky, once the heir apparent …

Homework and Jacuzzis as Dorms Move to McMansions in California  —  MERCED, Calif. — Heather Alarab, a junior at the University of California, Merced, and Jill Foster, a freshman, know that their sudden popularity has little to do with their sparkling personalities, intelligence or athletic prowess.

Police arrest Chapel Hill ‘Occupy’ protesters  —  KATELYN FERRAL - KATELYN.FERRAL@NEWSOBSERVER.COM  —  Police brandishing guns and assault rifles entered a vacant Franklin Street car dealership and arrested a group of demonstrators who had taken over the building Saturday night.

US blog: Mossad behind Iran blast  —  Blogger Richard Silverstein claims Israel orchestrated explosion that killed 17 at Iranian missile storage facility, in collaboration with local militant group  —  Dudi Cohen  —  US blogger Israel was the mastermind behind the

Occupy Wall Street costs local businesses $479,400!  —  It makes no cents.  —  The Occupy Wall Street movement has cost surrounding businesses $479,400 so far, store owners said.  —  A Post survey of a dozen restaurants, jewelry shops, beauty salons, a chain store and mom …

Republicans return to the torture ‘debate’  —  That there's still even “debate” over whether the United States should engage in torture is a national embarrassment, and the way it was addressed in last night's debate wasn't exactly encouraging.  —  Co-moderator Major Garrett read an email …

Police: Occupy San Francisco protesters attack officers  —  SAN FRANCISCO — One San Francisco police officer was slashed by a razor and another had his uniform torn and cheek cut in a clash with Occupy San Francisco protesters Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

Child Sex Abuse Scandal Rocks Penn State; Super Committee Deadlocked?  —  Special Guests: Gov. Tom Corbett, Franco Harris, T.J. Bard, Sen. Pat Toomey, Rep. James Clyburn … CHRIS WALLACE, HOST: I'm Chris Wallace.  —  A child sex abuse scandal rocks Penn State.

The epic global leadership fail  —  I'm very excited to announce that Wonkblog will be republishing Pulitzer-prize winner Steve Pearlstein's Sunday Business column.  Steve has long been an inspiration for my work and, more recently, a mentor to me, and I couldn't be prouder to be showcasing his pieces.

Gay-pride parades in Bx. foe's building  —  They're loud, they're proud, and they're moving in.  —  The Bronx's largest gay-rights group is unfurling its rainbow flag tomorrow at its new headquarters — ironically located in a building funded by, and named after, the city's No. 1 gay-marriage opponent, state Sen. Ruben Diaz.

Will on Wife's New Job at Perry Campaign  —  On ABC's This Week, George Will addressed the new role his wife, former Ronald Reagan and Bob Dole adviser Mari Maseng, has taken on at the Perry campaign.  Maseng will advise Perry on “messaging and debate preparation” — a timely addition to be sure.