Updates on the Clearing of Zuccotti Park  —  Overnight, hundreds of New York City police officers cleared Zuccotti Park of the Occupy Wall Street protesters and arrested dozens of people, forcing the two-month-old protest that had spawned a movement into a new and uncertain phase.

The Democrats' peculiar negotiating strategy  —  Over the past year, Republicans have learned something important about negotiating budget deals with Democrats: If you don't like their offer, just wait a couple of months.  —  The first budget showdown came in the lame-duck Congress …

Herman Cain's Libya stumble: How much damage did he do?  —  It was the silence heard around the political world.  —  Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain talks to reporters before greeting supporters at a fund raising event before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers …

The Medicaid Ambush  —  The Supreme Court's unexpected and astounding reasons for wanting to hear a challenge to Obamacare.  —  The Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act could contain a few surprises.  —  The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a challenge to the Affordable Care Act …

McQueary on alleged rape: ‘I did stop it,’ did have discussions with police  —  2011 file photo of Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver coach Mike McQueary.  McQueary is seen here during Penn State action against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field.  (HOWARD SMITH / US PRESSWIRE / November 15, 2011)

Cain's Fall, Gingrich's Rise Result in Tie for High Intensity Score  —  Cain's score has fallen 12 points in two weeks  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Herman Cain's Positive Intensity Score is 17, down from 29 immediately before news broke in late October about past sexual harassment allegations against him.

Perry calls for a part-time Congress, term-limited judges  —  Blasting the congressional “creatures of Washington” for being overpaid and detached from the struggles of the people outside the Beltway, Texas Gov. and GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry vowed Tuesday to eliminate federal agencies …

Solyndra: Energy Dept. pushed firm to keep layoffs quiet until after midterms  —  The Obama administration urged officers of the struggling solar company Solyndra to postpone announcing planned layoffs until after the November 2010 midterm elections, newly released e-mails show.

Words, Mere Words: Newt Gingrich Speaks Well.  But Is He Smart?  —  If Newt Gingrich's career in public service proves anything, it is that he will never be caught saying “Oops.”  Gingrich is currently rising to frontrunner status in the Republican presidential primary largely because he's willing …

CNN Poll: Obama ranks low among recent incumbents  —  Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama's overall approval rating remains in the mid-40s, where it has been since July, and he continues to receive much higher marks for foreign policy than for domestic issues, according to a new national survey …

Let's All Feel Superior  —  First came the atrocity, then came the vanity.  The atrocity is what Jerry Sandusky has been accused of doing at Penn State.  The vanity is the outraged reaction of a zillion commentators over the past week, whose indignation is based on the assumption …

Giffords' husband scolds Boehner for not visiting wounded lawmaker  —  In a new book, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's (D-Ariz.) husband scolds House Speaker John Boehner for failing to visit his wounded wife while she was recovering from injuries sustained in a shooting.

Judge wins election despite money and ethics troubles  —  Newly elected Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas M. Nocella credits U.S. Rep. Bob Brady - Philadelphia's Democratic Party boss - for intervening with ward leaders to put him on the ticket.  —  “He is the one in control,” said Nocella …

Allies Accuse James O'Keefe of ‘Hit Job’ in Undercover NPR Sting  —  The two men who pulled off James O'Keefe's NPR sting are now criticizing the conservative activist for what one calls a ‘hit job.’ They tell Howard Kurtz exclusively why they feel exploited.  —  The fake Muslim donor had played his role perfectly.