Newt expands South Carolina lead  —  Newt Gingrich heads into South Carolina election day as the clear front runner in the state: he's now polling at 37% to 28% for Mitt Romney, 16% for Rick Santorum, and 14% for Ron Paul.  —  Gingrich's lead has actually increased in the wake of his ex-wife's controversial interview with ABC.

The New American Divide  —  The ideal of an ‘American way of life’ is fading as the working class falls further away from institutions like marriage and religion and the upper class becomes more isolated.  Charles Murray on what's cleaving America, and why.  —  America is coming apart.

Obama Averages 44% Approval in 3rd Year  —  Averaged 43% job approval in most recent quarter in office  —  PRINCETON, NJ — President Barack Obama averaged 44% job approval for his third full year in office, which ended Jan. 19.  His third-year average is down slightly from his second-year average …

Former Obama Staffer Busted for Stealing Iowa Secretary of State's Identity  —  Barack Obama's 2008 Iowa New Media Director was arrested Friday for attempting to use the identities of Secretary of State Matt Schultz, and/or his brother Thomas, with the intent to falsely implicate the Secretary Schultz in illegal or unethical behavior.

Blacks Face Bias in Bankruptcy, Study Suggests  —  Blacks are about twice as likely as whites to wind up in the more onerous and costly form of consumer bankruptcy as they try to dig out from their debts, a new study has found.  —  The disparity persisted even when the researchers adjusted for income …

Huckabee Wants To Know If Obama Got College Loans “As A Foreign Student”  —  During a Fox News appearance this evening, Mike Huckabee suggested that Mitt Romney, who has come under fire for refusing to immediately release his tax returns, respond by challenging President Obama to release …

Obama: State of the Union will focus on building the economy  —  President Obama said that Tuesday's State of the Union address will focus on building an economy “that's built to last.”  —  In his weekly address, Obama touted his Thursday trip to Disney World, where he proposed easing tourist visa rules …

Our Mr. Brooks Climbs The Romney Family Tree  —  The applause came from deep in the plush leather armchairs gathered by the fireplace in the clubroom of the Premature Fogies Club.  It was warm and sustaining, as was the morning brandy.  People touched the patches on his master's blazer as he walked by.

Barack Obama's Middle East Miscalculation  —  In Egypt, we are witnessing the democratic election of a dictatorship  —  A little-noticed event gives a grim insight into what is really happening in the Middle East.  The euphoria of the “Arab Spring,” the instant Twitter-style transition …

Justices Bar Texas Court's Election Map  —  WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court on Friday ordered new interim maps drawn for Texas' April 3 primary, handing Republicans a partial if possibly short-lived victory in a battle over as many as four House seats.  —  The unsigned decision sends the case …

Florida debate uncertain without Romney commitment  —  Mitt Romney's campaign has not said they are committed to Monday night's Republican debate in Tampa, Fla., leading to speculation the former governor will not be participating.  —  NBC News has not canceled the event but a statement …