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 …

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.

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)

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 …

Perry Proposes Overhaul of Washington  —  BETTENDORF, Iowa — Gov. Rick Perry of Texas announced a proposal on Tuesday that ranks among the most radical plans to alter the federal government offered by any major Republican presidential candidate this year — and one that legal analysts …

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 …

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 …

Gingrich Said Paid by Freddie Mac to Win Allies  —  Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said during a Nov. 9 debate that he earned a $300,000 fee to advise Freddie Mac as a “historian” who warned that the mortgage company's business model was “insane.”

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.