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 …

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 …

For release at 8:00 a.m. EST  —  The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are today announcing coordinated actions to enhance their capacity to provide liquidity support to the global financial system.

Here's to Potty-Mouthing, and the Real Lesson for All of Us  —  It is very clear that Emma Sullivan of Shawnee Mission East High School is a late-charging entrant for Person of the Year at the blog here.  If there was ever any doubt, it was erased when Ruth Marcus, an “opinion writer” …

A second Iranian nuclear facility has exploded, as diplomatic tensions rise between the West and Tehran  —  SHEERA FRENKEL - … AN IRANIAN nuclear facility has been hit by a huge explosion, the second such blast in a month, prompting speculation that Tehran's military and atomic sites are under attack.

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.

GOP leaders to rank and file: Don't blow our advantage on taxes  —  House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Wednesday that Republicans support extending the payroll tax cut but that “there's no debate” about whether the measure should be paid for.  —  “We're going to continue to seek common ground …

Movers, deputies refuse to evict 103-year-old woman  —  ATLANTA, Ga. —  A 103-year-old woman and her 83-year-old daughter were just moments from being evicted from their home Tuesday, when sheriff's deputies and the moving company hired by the bank decided not to go through with the action.

Mayor Bloomberg: ‘I Have My Own Army’  —  In a speech at MIT last night to discuss the packed sweepstakes to build a tech campus in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg said he prefers City Hall to the White House.  Almost immediately after Mayor Bloomberg dampened recent speculation he's eyeing a White House bid …

Obama Admin Seals Records of Murdered Border Patrol Agent Implicated in Fast and Furious  —  And to think that Attorney General Eric Holder is getting testy about congressional calls for his resignation.  After all, the Justice Department has nothing to hide, right?

Democrat says Senate leaders don't want vote on earmark ban  —  Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) told reporters Wednesday that she does not think Senate leaders from either party want to bring her permanent earmark ban up for a vote.  —  McCaskill and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) teamed up to introduce the earmark ban Wednesday.

Pike church takes stand against interracial couples  —  A small Pike County church has voted not to accept interracial couples as members or let them take part in some worship activities.  —  The decision has caused sharp reaction and disapproval in the Eastern Kentucky county.

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.

Fischer Wonders How Many Men Died Of AIDS Because Of Barney Frank  —  On Monday, Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank announced that he will not seek reelection next year, and American Family Association spokesman Bryan Fischer decided to celebrate Frank's retirement by attacking the congressman for being gay.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll — November 2011  —  The November Health Tracking Poll takes a closer look at public opinion and knowledge about specific provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Findings include:  — After taking a negative turn in October …

Reasons to Worry About the Prospects for a European Bailout  —  I've been asked to explain my reservations about the idea that “we know what will work” in Europe.  Why wouldn't a eurobond/ECB intervention work?  After all, it worked here?  —  I should emphasize that I am by no means sure that it wouldn't work—I just sort of wonder.