Paul closes in on Gingrich  —  There has been some major movement in the Republican Presidential race in Iowa over the last week, with what was a 9 point lead for Newt Gingrich now all the way down to a single point.  Gingrich is at 22% to 21% for Paul with Mitt Romney at 16% …

Swing States Poll: Downbeat Dems, resurgent Republicans  —  WASHINGTON - President Obama is moving to energize the Democratic base for his re-election campaign, but in the case of a dozen battleground states, he'll have to work harder than four years ago to find it.

TPMDC  —  Dems To GOP: Deal Fairly On Payroll Tax Or Shut Down The Government  —  Senate Democrats and the White House are executing a strategy to prevent House Republicans from jamming them with legislation to extend the current payroll tax cut that's been larded up with GOP goodies, according to White House and Congressional aides.

Amanpour to Leave ABC's ‘This Week’ and Rejoin CNN  —  Updated Christiane Amanpour is leaving the anchor chair of ABC's “This Week” and returning to her old network home, CNN, as the anchor of an evening newscast on CNN International.  —  The changes, confirmed Tuesday evening …

Gingrich Iowa staffer resigns after calling Mormonism a ‘cult’  —  Newt Gingrich's political director in Iowa has resigned over comments he made disparaging Mitt Romney's religion.  —  Craig Bergman told a focus group on last Wednesday that Mormonism is a “cult” and implied it could hurt Romney …

GINGRICH FLASHBACK: ‘PROGRESSIVE’ FDR WAS ‘GREATEST PRESIDENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY’ (PLUS - SEIU'S ANDY STERN IS VISIONARY UNION LEADER!)  —  Scroll down for the video — or read this first:  —  I've always liked the feisty tone Newt Gingrich brings to debate.

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November suggests that the economy has been expanding moderately, notwithstanding some apparent slowing in global growth.  While indicators point to some improvement in overall labor market conditions, the unemployment rate remains elevated.

Chelsea Clinton makes broadcast debut on NBC's ‘Rock Center’  —  It's no surprise whatsoever that Chelsea Clinton didn't electrify broadcast journalism with her debut Monday night on NBC's “Rock Center With Brian Williams,” because she has no experience in broadcast journalism.

All-American Mess  —  I'd bet that TLC's All-American Muslim is a pretty dull show that borders on hagiography.  But I still don't get why anyone would get so mad about it.  As I understand it, the show depicts Muslim families as more moderate, more American than some stereotypes.  Is that really so horrible?

NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving  —  Washington (CNN) — Federal accident investigators Tuesday called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving.  —  Study: Half of young people text, drive

Opinion: Obama would rather be university professor than president  —  After observing President Obama for the last three years, it has become obvious to me that the President might prefer to be a university professor rather than do the job he holds today.  While he may not realize that he feels …

SCARBOROUGH: ROMNEY LOOKING MORE LIKABLE — Michael Duffy promoted - Perry Bacon leaves WashPost - What Peter Watkins is up to - ABC's ‘This Week’ unveils debate series  —  WEST WING MINDMELD: “On Sunday, the President spoke to Senator Reid, and they decided that Congress cannot go home …

Household electricity bills skyrocket  —  Electric bills have skyrocketed in the last five years, a sharp reversal from a quarter-century when Americans enjoyed stable power bills even as they used more electricity.  —  Households paid a record $1,419 on average for electricity in 2010 …

The Graph That Proves Economic Forecasters Are Almost Always Wrong  —  As the saying goes: “It's hard to make predictions.  Especially about the future.”  Thirty years ago, it was obvious to everybody that oil prices would keep going up forever.  Twenty years ago, it was obvious that Japan would own the 21st century.

ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT  —  Interview with Dick Cheney; Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman Hold Debate; NBA Owner to Run for Russian Presidency; Interview with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  ERIN BURNETT, HOST: Thanks, John.

Blunt defeats Johnson in race for Senate GOP leadership post  —  Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.), a veteran of Republican leadership circles, defeated Tea Party favorite Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to become vice chairman of the Senate GOP Conference.  —  He was elected to the fifth-ranking post …

Axelrod on Newt: “the higher a monkey climbs...the more you can see his butt.”  —  Obama 2012 Press Secretary Ben LaBolt, Strategist David Axelrod, Campaign Manager Jim Messina, Deputy Manager Stephanie Cutter at Tuesday press briefing at the DNC.  (photo by Lynn Sweet)