How low can he go?  —  Everyone has probably heard the corny “I once caught a fish this big” joke.  A guy boasts about the size of the fish he reeled in, but when pressed, he gradually reduces the actual size of his catch.  The little comedic routine is about exaggeration.  —  I wonder if Mitt Romney has heard it.

‘The Leni Riefenstahl of the blistering attack documentary’  —  I write today about Barry Bennett's absurd anti-Bain film and the larger controversy.  I do give the film points for highlighting the plight of ordinary workers, although now we're learning that even their interviews appear to have been distorted.

First Thoughts: Best of times (and worst of times) for Romney  —  NBC's David Gregory talks to TODAY's Matt Lauer about whether fierce attacks on Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney will backfire against his rivals or stop what seems to be Romney's inevitable march to the nomination.

New poll in S.C. indicates tight race for top spot  —  (CNN) - With eight days to go until the South Carolina primary, a new poll suggests a close contest in the first southern state to vote in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.  —  According to an American Research Group …

Perry pivots away from Romney, focuses on defense  —  Republican presidential candidate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks at a campaign stop at the Hilton Head Diner in Hilton Head, S.C. (AP Photo/David Goldman / January 13, 2012)  —  Fresh off a visit to a local shooting range …

Oops, He Did It Again: Perry Forgets The Three Federal Agencies He Wants To Abolish  —  During a November debate, Rick Perry inexplicably forgot the name of the third federal agency he wants to eliminate.  He struggled for cringe-inducing 53 seconds, before acknowledging that he couldn't remember with an infamous “oops.”

Report: Rick Perry calls on a mannequin at SC town hall  —  Rick Perry mistakenly called on a mannequin with its hand raised at a town-hall event Friday in South Carolina.  —  The female mannequin was wearing a T-shirt advertising Squat N' Gobble, the restaurant where the incident took place, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Correcting the Progressive Spin on My Defense of the Marines  —  Yesterday on my radio show I discussed the topic of the Marines videotaping themselves urinating on dead Taliban fighters.  The usual mob of progressive haters started campaigning on Twitter and complaining to CNN.  —  Video still