Coburn blasts Gingrich, found his leadership ‘lacking’ as House Speaker  —  Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said Sunday that he cannot support GOP presidential frontrunner Newt Gingrich because the former House speaker lacks leadership skills.  —  “I am not inclined to be a supporter …

The Profits on the Secret $7.7 Trillion Loans to TBTF Banks  —  Elliot Spitzer has an excellent article up at Slate about the $7.7 trillion secret loans that the Fed made to the nation's biggest banks.  He wants criminal and Congressional investigations, as you would expect.

Sen. Conrad: Reid to unveil payroll tax holiday compromise  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will unveil a compromise proposal on Monday to resolve the simmering congressional dispute over whether and how to extend a payroll tax holiday.  —  Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) …

U.S. Drug Agents Launder Profits of Mexican Cartels  —  WASHINGTON — Undercover American narcotics agents have laundered or smuggled millions of dollars in drug proceeds as part of Washington's expanding role in Mexico's fight against drug cartels, according to current and former federal law enforcement officials.

Out of Africa and Into Iowa  —  NEWT GINGRICH'S mind is in love with itself.  —  It has persuaded itself that it is brilliant when it is merely promiscuous.  This is not a serious mind.  Gingrich is not, to put it mildly, a systematic thinker.  —  His mind is a jumble, an amateurish mess lacking impulse control.

Merkel and Sarkozy to unveil eurozone rescue package  —  Germany's Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy of France will set out plans for a eurozone rescue package when they meet tomorrow, and the European Central Bank could offer a €1 trillion (£640bn) cash injection if closer fiscal union is agreed later this week.

A closer look at Mitt Romney's job creation record  —  The Republican presidential contender says he learned about expanding employment during his time heading a private equity firm.  But under his leadership, Bain Capital often maximized profits in part by firing workers.

Ron Paul says he's ‘flavor of the decade’  —  Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Sunday he hoped voters attracted to Herman Cain's “independent mindedness” would take a second look at his presidential campaign with Cain now out of the race.  —  “We're paying a lot of attention of that …

ProPublica review of pardons in past decade shows process heavily favored whites  —  White criminals seeking presidential pardons over the past decade have been nearly four times as likely to succeed as minorities, a ProPublica examination has found.  —  Blacks have had the poorest chance …

Panetta Scolds Israel on Peace Talks  —  WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urged Israel on Friday to “reach out and mend fences” with Turkey, Egypt and other security partners in the Middle East, saying he is troubled by the Jewish state's growing isolation in the volatile region.