The Des Moines Register's GOP caucus endorsement: Mitt Romney is best to lead  —  Sobriety, wisdom and judgment.  —  Those are qualities Mitt Romney said he looks for in a leader.  Those are qualities Romney himself has demonstrated in his career in business, public service and government.

Vaclav Havel, leader of “Velvet Revolution,” dies  —  (Reuters) - Vaclav Havel, a dissident playwright who was jailed by Communists and then went on to lead the bloodless “Velvet Revolution” and become Czech president, died at 75 on Sunday.  —  The former chain smoker …

The Chicago Expulsion Act of 2011  —  Windy City pols are bankrupting Illinois with bailouts for their hometown.  Now downstate legislators are fighting back.  —  'Why would anyone want to live in Illinois?  " So muses Curt Wooters, who works for the state and helps his dad run …

Last Convoy of American Troops Leaves Iraq, Marking an End to the War  —  BAGHDAD — The last convoy of American troops to leave Iraq drove into Kuwait on Sunday morning, marking the end of the nearly nine-year war.  —  The convoy's departure, which included about 110 vehicles and 500 soldiers …

False assumptions underpinned British strategy  —  UK's isolation at EU summit follows policy of secrecy  —  Statecraft in Europe is usually exercised on a full stomach.  So it was that Angela Merkel and David Cameron sat in the stark white dining room of Berlin's chancellery on a cold November afternoon …

House GOP revolts on payroll deal  —  House Republicans are in full revolt in the wake of Senate passage of a two-month payroll tax holiday package, casting serious doubt on the fate of a bill that already has President Barack Obama's approval.  —  In a private conference call on Saturday afternoon …

Op-Ed Columnist: Newt Gingrich's Self-Adoration  —  MARVELING over a presidential candidate's arrogance is like noting that a hockey player wears skates.  It states not just the obvious but the necessary.  You can't zip across the ice in Crocs, and you can't thrash your way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue …

Bollywood actress Veena Malik reported missing after nude FHM photo scandal  —  Veena Malik  —  There were fears today for the wellbeing of Bollywood actress Veena Malik after she was reported missing by her manager.  —  The controversial Pakistani model and actress …

TPMDC  —  MN GOPer Resigns Leadership Post Over Alleged ‘Inappropriate Relationship’  —  Minnesota's Republican Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch abruptly resigned from her leadership post this week, and there are now allegations that she had an “inappropriate relationship” with a subordinate staffer.

Rick Perry: Herman Cain is the type of person I'd consider for cabinet appointment  —  Spencer, Ia.  — Herman Cain is the type of person Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he'd consider for his cabinet if elected president, he told a crowd here today.  —  “He has all the characteristics of the type …

Romney Declares Himself ‘Ideal’ Tea Party Candidate  —  CHARLESTON, S.C. — Mitt Romney said today he's “the ideal candidate” for the Tea Party movement because his stance on issues lines up “pretty darn well” with the movement he says will soon realize that GOP frontrunner Newt Gingrich isn't their best option for president.

TPMDC  —  GOP Wins On Keystone As Senate Agrees To Two Month Payroll Tax Cut Extension  —  Senate leaders have agreed to a plan that will prevent key policies, including a two percent payroll tax cut for employees, from lapsing on January 1, 2012, according to top aides.