All Eyez on Him  —  The junior senator from Florida had a heck of an election year: Short-listed for VP.  Wrote a memoir of his Cuban heritage.  Gave a tough, moving convention speech—maybe the best of its kind since Obama's.  Michael Hainey talks to Marco Rubio about growing up in the shadow of Castro …

CNN Poll: 57% of Americans say Israeli attacks in Gaza are justified  —  Washington (CNN) - A majority of Americans say that Israel's current military strikes against Gaza are justified, according to a new national survey.  —  A CNN/ORC International poll released Monday indicates that 57% …

The Twinkie Manifesto  —  The Twinkie, it turns out, was introduced way back in 1930.  In our memories, however, the iconic snack will forever be identified with the 1950s, when Hostess popularized the brand by sponsoring “The Howdy Doody Show.”  And the demise of Hostess has unleashed …

Republicans at a crossroads  —  LAS VEGAS — Republican governors are torn between essentially staying the course in the wake of Mitt Romney's loss and a more proactive strategy aimed at radically shaking up their party in an effort to reach out to young and minority voters.

Investment Falls Off a Cliff  —  U.S. Companies Cut Spending Plans Amid Fiscal and Economic Uncertainty  —  U.S. companies are scaling back investment plans at the fastest pace since the recession, signaling more trouble for the economic recovery.  —  Half of the nation's 40 biggest …

Andrew Cuomo, fake Democrat  —  New York's governor might lead his party in 2016.  So why won't he fight for a state Senate majority they earned?  —  If the New York state Senate remains controlled by the Republican Party, it won't be because of the voters.  Democrats have 30 seats, with 32 required for a majority.

White House Changed CIA Talking Points  —  Senior Republican members of Congress confirmed Sunday that the Obama administration changed CIA guidance to senior officials that had identified the Sept. 11 attack in Benghazi as an al Qaeda attack.  —  “The intelligence community had it right …

Obama Repeatedly Mispronounces Aung San Suu Kyi  —  During his stop in Burma earlier today, President Obama repeatedly mispronounced the name of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and former political prisoner who has led the struggle for a free and democratic Burma.  —  From the Associated Press:

Paul Ryan Emerges as Power Broker in Fiscal Talks  —  WASHINGTON — Gone is the private jet and the motorcade that swept him from the tarmac to the private hotel entrances.  His security staff has been reduced to a few Capitol Police officers, soon to fade away.

Members of Congress Implore Feds To Back Down On Marijuana Prosecution  —  In light of the marijuana legalization measures passed in Washington and Colorado, 18 members of Congress are asking the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration not to take enforcement action …

Top ministers convene to discuss possible ceasefire with Hamas  —  Two schools in Ashkelon take rockets; Mashaal says group will keep fighting until Israel gives in; Islamic Jihad terrorists said killed in strike on media building; Al Arabiya reports that ceasefire is close; barrage on southern cities continues

Florida's West to fight defeat in House race  —  (Reuters) - Tea Party-backed Republican Congressman Allen West said he was still not ready to concede defeat on Sunday, almost two weeks after the November 6 election, when the clock ran out on a partial recount in South Florida.

Can conservatives prevent the U.S. from becoming California? … As bad as last Tuesday night was for the national Republican Party, it was far, far worse for the California Republican Party.  Not only did Golden State Democrats maintain control of every statewide elected office …