Top Items:
Erick Erickson / Erick's blog:
Everything You Heard Last Night Was Bull, Perry Might Want to Stay In, & a Newtlear Attack — As you wake up this morning, Rick Santorum only lost to Mitt Romney by 8 votes. Santorum spent about a dollar per vote and Romney spent hundreds of dollars for his votes.
Discussion:
Slate, 2012.talkingpointsmemo.com, The Politico, The Other McCain, National Review, Campaign 2012, American Spectator, Washington Examiner, Indecision Forever, Talking Points Memo, The Huffington Post, Ballot Box, Weekly Standard, Outside the Beltway, Patterico's Pontifications, Democracy in America, Guardian, Taylor Marsh, TalkLeft, Campaign Stops, The Gateway Pundit, GOP 12, BizzyBlog, Pundit & Pundette, Riehl World View, Hot Air, Sister Toldjah, Daily Pundit and Ross Douthat
RELATED:
David Corn / MoJo Articles:
Newt the Destroyer — Gingrich is now on a single-minded mission to detonate Mitt Romney's presidential prospects. Will he blow up the GOP in the process? — Newt Gingrich has finally reached his destiny: destroyer of the GOP. — In a bitter and spiteful concession speech last night in Iowa …
Discussion:
The Atlantic Online, CNN, Gawker, Rod Dreher and Indecision Forever
Jonathan Martin / The Politico:
After Iowa caucuses, GOP elites seek ‘consensus’ candidate — A group of movement conservatives has called an emergency meeting in Texas next weekend to find a “consensus” Republican presidential hopeful, POLITICO has learned. — “You and your spouse are cordially invited to a private meeting …
Discussion:
USA Today, The Caucus, Reuters, The Hill, CNN, Indecision Forever, FreakOutNation, Washington Post, Washington Monthly, 2012 Decoded, Daily Kos and Business Insider
Nate Silver / FiveThirtyEight:
Winning Ugly, but Winning — I don't care if you call it a win or a tie. In Iowa on Tuesday, Mitt Romney had a performance that looks ugly on the stat sheet , but which accomplished quite a bit when you consider it in its broader context. — The two most important things that Mr. Romney accomplished are as follows:
Discussion:
New York Times, The Caucus, msnbc.com, National Review, Feministing, ABCNEWS, Newshoggers.com, Associated Press and CNN
Grace Wyler / Business Insider:
Ron Paul May Have Secretly Won The Iowa Caucuses — DES MOINES — Ron Paul may have officially come in third tonight, but if the campaign's caucus strategy went off as planned, then Paul may actually be the real winner of the first Republican voting contest.
Jason Embry / Austin American-Statesman:
Perry stays in presidential race, says it 'wasn't a hard decision' — Gov. Rick Perry said today he will continue his presidential campaign despite a fifth-place showing in the Tuesday Iowa caucuses and serious questions about whether he can continue. “I re-assessed,” Perry said as he left …
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Los Angeles Times, Sister Toldjah and Pundit & Pundette
Ron Fournier / NationalJournal.com:
Bachmann Ends Presidential Run — Source — Rep. Michele Bachmann is suspending her presidential campaign, said a senior Republican official with direct knowledge of the lawmaker's plans. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Minnesota lawmaker, a favorite …
Jay Cost / Weekly Standard:
Morning Jay: What Iowa Tells Us About the State of the Race — Mitt Romney received eight more votes in the Iowa caucuses than Rick Santorum. The media is spinning this as if it matters who actually receives more votes. It really doesn't. This is a battle for delegates — a long one.
Emily Schultheis / The Politico:
Newt won't congratulate Mitt on win
Newt won't congratulate Mitt on win
Discussion:
TheBlaze.com and Reuters
Major Garrett / NationalJournal.com:
Gingrich Commits Political Malpractice
Gingrich Commits Political Malpractice
Discussion:
Hot Air and NO QUARTER
Bill / Pundits Blog:
Obama wins Iowa — without even campaigning!
Obama wins Iowa — without even campaigning!
Discussion:
The Politico, 2012.talkingpointsmemo.com and No More Mister Nice Blog
Chris Carlson / ABCNEWS:
Michele Bachmann Drops Out of Presidential Race
Michele Bachmann Drops Out of Presidential Race
Discussion:
CBS News, The Politico, Above the Law, The Other McCain, The Moderate Voice, Datechguy's Blog, BizzyBlog and American Spectator
Jonathan Weisman / The Caucus:
For McCain, a Choice Between Old Enemies
For McCain, a Choice Between Old Enemies
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, Philly.com and Connecting.the.Dots
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire:
Gingrich Floats Idea of Anti-Romney Alliance
Gingrich Floats Idea of Anti-Romney Alliance
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Wake up America, Atlas Shrugs and Michelle Malkin
Jennifer Rubin / Washington Post:
Credit Santorum with sinking Ron Paul
Credit Santorum with sinking Ron Paul
Discussion:
Saint Petersblog
Paul Begala / The Daily Beast:
Iowa Results Show Romney's Weakness Even Against GOP ‘Unelectables’
Iowa Results Show Romney's Weakness Even Against GOP ‘Unelectables’
Discussion:
CANNONFIRE, NationalJournal.com and Saint Petersblog
Kevinliptak / CNN:
Army soldier rallying for Paul violated military ban on political activity
Army soldier rallying for Paul violated military ban on political activity
Discussion:
Political Mojo, Outside the Beltway and Big Government
Greg Sargent / Washington Post:
Breaking: Obama also set to make recess appointments to the NLRB — It isn't just Richard Cordray. Obama is also set to use recess appointments to install his picks to the National Labor Relations Board, according to White House officials and others familiar with ongoing discussions.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
AP sources: Obama bucks GOP, OKs consumer watchdog — WASHINGTON (AP) — In a defiant display of executive power, President Barack Obama on Wednesday will buck GOP opposition and name Richard Cordray as the nation's chief consumer watchdog even though the Senate contends the move is inappropriate …
Peter Schroeder / The Hill:
Reid backs Obama after using pro forma sessions to block Bush — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who previously held pro forma sessions to block recess appointments by President George W. Bush, said Wednesday he supported President Obama's decision to ignore those sessions to push through one of his key nominees.
Discussion:
National Review, Mediaite and Weasel Zippers
Alexander Bolton / The Hill:
Obama under strong pressure to break precedent on recess appointments — President Obama is under strong pressure from liberals to use his recess-appointment power during the congressional break, but doing so would break 20 years of precedent, putting him in a tough position.
Discussion:
The Politico, CNN, The Daily Caller, Washington Post and Moe Lane
Dan Pfeiffer / White House.gov Blog:
America's Consumer Watchdog — Today the President will appoint Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He has one important job: look out for the best interest of American consumers. He'll work on behalf of millions of families across the nation to ensure they're …
Discussion:
Firedoglake, Cato @ Liberty, tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com, Washington Post, Associated Press, The Politico, The Caucus, The Volokh Conspiracy, Political Mojo, The New Republic, A plain blog about politics, Washington Wire, The Hill, Taylor Marsh, Outside the Beltway, ACS Blog, Booman Tribune, The Heritage Foundation, Michelle Malkin, The Raw Story and National Review
Peter Schroeder / The Hill:
Court fight over recess appointments ‘almost certain,’ Chamber says — The recess appointments President Obama announced Wednesday are “almost certain” to be challenged in court, according to a top official with the nation's largest business lobby. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce …
Discussion:
The Gateway Pundit
Joseph Williams / The Politico:
Obama makes 3 NLRB recess appointments
Obama makes 3 NLRB recess appointments
Discussion:
ACS Blog, Hot Air, ThinkProgress and The Political Carnival
Kevin Bogardus / The Hill:
President Obama defies lawmakers with recess appointments to NLRB
President Obama defies lawmakers with recess appointments to NLRB
Discussion:
CNN and Outside the Beltway
Washington Times:
Obama defies Congress with ‘recess’ picks
Obama defies Congress with ‘recess’ picks
Discussion:
The Heritage Foundation and Campaign 2012
John Elwood / The Volokh Conspiracy:
Recess Appointment of Richard Cordray Despite Pro Forma Sessions
Recess Appointment of Richard Cordray Despite Pro Forma Sessions
Travis Waldron / ThinkProgress:
BREAKING: Obama To Make Recess Appointments To National Labor Relations Board
BREAKING: Obama To Make Recess Appointments To National Labor Relations Board
Discussion:
The Political Carnival
Peter Schroeder / The Hill:
GOP blasts Obama for ‘unprecedented power grab’ with appointment
GOP blasts Obama for ‘unprecedented power grab’ with appointment
Discussion:
Firedoglake, Shakesville, Washington Monthly, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Speaker, ThinkProgress, Pat Dollard, Nice Deb and emptywheel
Richard Cordray / The White House:
President Obama Announces Recess Appointments to Key Administration Posts
President Obama Announces Recess Appointments to Key Administration Posts
Discussion:
ourfuture.org/blogs_chrono/*
Greg Sargent / Washington Post:
Obama to GOP: Get the heck out of the way
Obama to GOP: Get the heck out of the way
Discussion:
Reuters, Daily Kos and Campaign 2012
Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:
McConnell's concern for ‘precedent’
McConnell's concern for ‘precedent’
Discussion:
U.S. Senate Republican …, Crooks and Liars and Balloon Juice
Rebecca Lopez / WFAA-TV:
Dallas teen missing since 2010 was mistakenly deported — DALLAS - “It's very frustrating,” Lorene Turner said. — She has spent hours on Facebook trying to find her granddaughter, Jakadrien. — “Once I get home I am up until 3 or 4 in the morning searching and looking,” Turner said.
Discussion:
Firedoglake, theGrio, utsandiego.com, Gawker, The Raw Story, msnbc.com, emptywheel and The Agitator
Rush Limbaugh:
This Race is Far From Over — RUSH: I can't tell you the number of people — and I stayed up all the way until they found the votes. My gosh, I thought I was watching the Democrats last night. Ninety-nine percent of the votes in and they can't find the votes from two counties. They couldn't find 'em.
Discussion:
Campaign 2012 and The Gateway Pundit
RELATED:
Jonathan Martin / The Politico:
Rick Perry surprises staff, stays in race
Rick Perry surprises staff, stays in race
Discussion:
Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, The Hill, Hot Air, Iowa Caucuses, American Prospect, Hit & Run and Daily Kos
The Politico:
Perry: ‘Here we come, South Carolina!’ (Updated)
Perry: ‘Here we come, South Carolina!’ (Updated)
Discussion:
CNN, GOP 12 and LifeNews.com
Andrew Garber / Seattle Times:
Gregoire proposes legislation to legalize gay marriage — Gov. Chris Gregoire on Wednesday said she'll put forward legislation to legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples. — The proposal will be introduced during the legislative session that starts Monday.
Discussion:
Firedoglake, Daily Kos, Towleroad News #gay and Joe. My. God.
Vanity Fair:
The Meaning of Mitt — Mitt Romney has long been a front-runner for the G.O.P. nomination—even if no one really knows who he is. Digging into the candidate's record as a Mormon leader, his business deals at Bain Capital, and that infamous car trip with the family dog strapped to the roof …
Discussion:
Wonkette, Craig Crawford's Trail Mix and FishbowlDC