Rick Perry campaign plays blame game  —  DES MOINES - With a revamped message and a significant TV presence here, Rick Perry is hoping to revive his disappointing presidential campaign with a surprise finish Tuesday.  —  But even as they hold out hope that Perry can find a way back into contention …

Ann Selzer, queen of the Iowa caucuses: For a day, the most powerful woman in American politics  —  Every presidential candidate, campaign operative and political journalist in Iowa will spend most of Saturday in suspended animation, waiting for the results of the final Des Moines Register poll before the caucuses.

There's no crying in baseball, but in politics...  Crying has come a long way in politics.  In 1972, Ed Muskie wept outside the offices of New Hampshire's Union Leader, and it was, at the time, a political disaster.  Americans were apparently uncomfortable with adults in leadership positions emoting like this in public.

Enjoy the payroll tax break while it lasts  —  Last week, after a needlessly-contentious process, Congress approved a two-month extension of the payroll tax break.  As part of the agreement, a conference committee will try to come up with an agreement to extend the cut through the end of 2012.

Outside groups overwhelm Gingrich  —  When Newt Gingrich opened up a sizable lead in Iowa last month, he was promptly broadsided by a torrent of negative Super PAC advertisements that now threaten to sink his once-promising campaign.  —  The amount of campaign advertising will likely set …

Obama team exploits Romney team's birther gaffe  —  After Mitt Romney's son made a “birther” joke on the campaign trail, he quickly apologized and downplayed the taboo remarks.  President Obama's re-election team, however, is keeping the moment alive and hoping to earn a few bucks off of it.

Flag Burning at Occupy Charlotte  —  We haven't paid much attention to the Occupiers lately; nor, for the most part, has anyone else.  But every now and then they continue to endear themselves to the American public.  Like last night, when four members of Occupy Charlotte-including their media spokesman! …

The spectre of 1932: How a loss of faith in politicians and democracy could make 2012 the most frightening year in living memory  —  The dawn of a new year is usually a time of hope and ambition, of dreams for the future and thoughts of a better life.  But it is a long time since …

Should the U.S. Cut Off Aid to the Egyptian Military?  —  The military, which has been consolidating power and extending dictatorial rule, gets over $1 billion per year  —  Egyptian soldiers attack protesters in Cairo / Reuters  —  MORE FROM THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS:

Romney gets emotional talking about parents, tells audience 'I won't cry'  —  Mitt Romney stopped short of his GOP rival Newt Gingrich on Friday evening when he spoke emotionally about his parents but did not tear up.  —  Romney described the patriotism of his parents, both deceased, at a campaign stop in New Hampshire on Friday.

After Outcry, Verizon Abandons $2 Fee  —  Verizon Wireless bowed to a torrent of criticism on Friday and reversed a day-old plan to impose a $2 bill-paying fee that would have applied to only some customers.  —  The consumer vitriol, which cascaded across Twitter and onto blogs and petitions …

Year of tumult for Connecticut  —  This year saw Connecticut get through its first year after the sweeping changes ushered in by the 2010 election.  It was not an easy transition.  In January, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., announced he will not seek re-election to the seat he has held since 1989 …

Gary Johnson asks Iowa supporters to back Ron Paul  —  Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who recently abandoned his bid for the Republican Party's presidential nomination, asked his supporters in Iowa to back Ron Paul in the state's caucuses.  —  Johnson's bid for the GOP nomination failed …

Why I Am Endorsing Newt Gingrich for President  —  This country is in trouble and bold leadership is needed.  As someone that has had the privilege to vet these candidates as closely as just about anybody else has, I've come to the conclusion there are several good, Christian people running that most years I would vote for.