Herman Cain's campaign a study in ineptitude  —  Herman Cain is in the midst of “reassessing” whether to continue his 2012 bid, but its legacy is already settled: His campaign will go down as one of the most hapless and bumbling operations in modern presidential politics …

Police clear Occupy encampment, dozens arrested  —  Police swarmed around City Hall and rousted Occupy Philadelphia protesters from their encampment overnight, more than two days after a deadline passed for them to leave.  —  The occupiers responded by roaming around Center City …

Gingrich Gave Push to Clients, Not Just Ideas  —  Newt Gingrich is adamant that he is not a lobbyist, but rather a visionary who traffics in ideas, not influence.  But in the eight years since he started his health care consultancy, he has made millions of dollars while helping companies promote …

Building a Better Mitt Romney-Bot  —  “Your story about dust regulation captures my interest,” Mitt Romney said to the farmer, sounding as if he actually meant it.  It was a late October afternoon in Treynor, Iowa, the setting for one of those campaign meta-events at which a presidential candidate enjoys …

Ruth Marcus reveals another journalistic value  —  The Post columnist demands an apology from a high school student for harshly criticizing her governor  —  Yesterday, The New York Times' Roger Cohen displayed a core value of American political journalism — love of government secrecy …

Does Obama Know the Difference between Great Britain and England?  —  It is gratifying to see President Barack Obama condemn the disgraceful storming of the British Embassy in Tehran by thugs acting at the behest of the Iranian regime.  After all, Obama has been notoriously slow in the past …

The Receding Democratic Majority?  —  Obama has a “path to 270.”  Republicans hope he makes it even farther.  —  Back in 2002, John Judis and Ruy Teixeira published a book titled “The Emerging Democratic Majority,” in which they argued that demographic trends were the Democrats' friends …

GOP Set to Back Payroll-Tax Cut  —  Republican leaders said Tuesday they would join Democrats in supporting an extension of the 2011 payroll-tax cut despite some reluctance within the GOP, virtually assuring that American wage-earners will continue to receive the benefit next year.

Holder lashes out at The Daily Caller while refusing to address growing calls for his resignation  —  Embattled Attorney General Eric Holder today demanded The Daily Caller stop publishing articles about the growing calls in Congress for his resignation because of the failed Operation Fast and Furious gun-walking program.

Report: Three Out Of Four Americans With HIV Don't Receive Regular Health Care  —  Medical progress now ensures that HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, but only for those who can access good medical care.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost three …

Happy Meal Ban: McDonald's Outsmarts San Francisco  —  On Thursday, Dec. 1, the city's de facto ban of the Happy Meal commences.  San Francisco has accomplished what the Hamburglar could not.  Or has it?  —  In order to include a toy with a meal, restaurants must now comply with city-generated nutritional standards.

Gingrich, Romney Outstrip Paul in Popularity Within the GOP  —  Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney are maintaining broad popularity in the Republican Party, both far outstripping GOP rival Ron Paul in basic favorability.  But among independents - crucial swing voters in the general election - the advantage is Romney's.

Rhode Island Outraged Over “Holiday Tree”  —  A Rhode Island lawmaker is calling Gov. Lincoln Chafee “Governor Grinch” after he defied lawmakers and decided that the state would have a “holiday tree” instead of a “Christmas tree.”  —  FOLLOW TODD ON FACEBOOK!

Netanyahu Government Suggests Israelis Avoid Marrying American Jews  —  The Netanyahu government's Ministry of Immigrant Absorption is sponsoring advertisements in at least five American communities that warn Israeli expatriates that they will lose their identities if they don't return home.

Despite earmark ban, lawmakers try to give money to hundreds of pet projects  —  Members of the House and the Senate attempted to pack hundreds of special spending provisions into at least 10 bills in the summer and fall, less than a year after congressional leaders declared a moratorium on earmarks, congressional records show.

Tech Firm Implements Employee ‘Zero Email’ Policy  —  You've got mail-not.  Employees of tech company  —  Atos  —  will be banned from sending emails under the company's new “zero email” policy.  —  CEO  —  Thierry Breton of the French  —  information technology company

Rick Perry gets U.S. voting age wrong in New Hampshire  —  At a town hall meeting at the Institute of Politics at New Hampshire's Saint Anselm's College Tuesday, Rick Perry asked that all of the college students in the crowd who will be 21 by Nov. 12 support his bid for the presidency.  —  Say what?

More Now Disagree with Tea Party - Even in Tea Party Districts  —  Since the 2010 midterm elections, the Tea Party has not only lost support nationwide, but also in the congressional districts represented by members of the House Tea Party Caucus.  And this year, the image of the Republican Party …