Romney reflects on his loss in call with campaign donors  —  The stage from Mitt Romney's election gathering at the Boston Convention Center, left standing overnight following his electoral defeat.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times / November 7, 2012)  —  Mitt Romney told his top donors Wednesday …

Misreading Election 2012  —  The GOP might be out of step with some voters, but Mitt Romney was an unusually unpopular party standard-bearer.  —  Postelection talk of “lessons learned” is often exaggerated and misleading, and so it is in 2012.  —  A week after President Obama won re-election, two themes are dominant.

Jill Kelley Loses VIP Privileges at Military Base  —  Jill Kelley, the Tampa socialite at the center of the Petraeus scandal, has lost the privilege of visiting MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa without an escort.  The base is home to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command …

John McCain's Long War Against Susan Rice  —  From left, Sens. Lindsey Graham, Kelly Ayotte, and John McCain at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday  —  You probably don't need the lesson, but here's how the filibuster works.  A nomination or bill is produced.

GOP Lawmaker Nominates Newt Gingrich For Speaker  —  “You don't have to be a member of the body to be speaker,” Rep. Gohmert says.  Hijinks in the closed-door leadership election.  —  Image by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call / Getty Images  —  WASHINGTON — Texas conservative Rep. Louie Gohmert submitted …