BREAKING: Palin Urges Romney to Release Tax Returns, Provide Proof of 100,000 Jobs Created at Bain Capital  —  Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has called for Gov. Mitt Romney to release his tax returns, as well as the data that could substantiate his claim of having created 100,000 jobs as CEO of Bain Capital.

3 billionaires who'll drag out the race  —  Meet the three billionaires who could drag out the GOP presidential primary, bloody up front-runner Mitt Romney and weaken the odds of defeating President Barack Obama: Sheldon Adelson, Foster Friess and Jon Huntsman, Sr.

Homeland Security watches Twitter, social media  —  (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's command center routinely monitors dozens of popular websites, including Facebook, Twitter, Hulu, WikiLeaks and news and gossip sites including the Huffington Post and Drudge Report, according to a government document.

Obama Campaign Raises $42 Million in Fourth Quarter  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama's presidential campaign raised $42 million during the final three months of 2011, giving him what his campaign manager called a “pretty good quarter” going into his re-election bid.

Should The Times Be a Truth Vigilante?  —  I'm looking for reader input on whether and when New York Times news reporters should challenge “facts” that are asserted by newsmakers they write about.  —  One example mentioned recently by a reader: As cited in an Adam Liptak article on the Supreme Court …

Afghan leader Karzai condemns ‘US Marines body desecration’ video  —  Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned a video that appears to show US Marines urinating on the bloodied corpses of several Taliban fighters.  —  The Taliban has also criticised the video as “shameful” but said it would not derail attempts at peace talks.

Warren Buffett Ready to Take Republicans' Tax Challenge  —  Updated, 6:10 p.m. E.T.  —  Warren Buffett is ready to call Republicans' tax bluff.  Last fall, Senator Mitch McConnell said that if Buffett were feeling “guilty” about paying too little in taxes, he should “send in a check.”

Haley Barbour Pardons 14 Murderers; Judge Orders Halt  —  Here's a story I never expected to see: Mississippi Haley Barbour, a respected conservative and former RNC Chair, has gone on a pardon spree on his way out of office, drawing howls from Democrats.  A judge has issued an injunction against more pardons.

Renewable energy company founder will run as Democrat for U.S. Senate in Nevada  —  Barry Ellsworth gave Rep. Shelley Berkley $1,000 last cycle and likes her “as a person.”  —  But — you knew a ‘but’ was coming - he's running against her in a Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate …

Mormons in America  —  Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society  —  With a Mormon candidate among the front-runners for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, a musical about Mormons playing on Broadway and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) …

Capital Land  —  Man charged after baby found in McPherson Square tent  —  A man is facing child cruelty charges after his 13-month-old daughter was found alone in a tent in the Occupy DC camp at McPherson Square.  —  Occupy members told authorities that a baby was alone in a tent at about 10 …

Business groups, Republicans launch onslaught on president over Keystone  —  The nation's most powerful business groups are dialing up the political pressure on the White House to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.  —  December's payroll-tax-cut deal gives the administration 60 days to approve …