The Hill Articles: December 30, 2011

Outside groups overwhelm Gingrich Planned Parenthood tops $1 billion in assets Court delays EPA’s cross-state air pollution rule Ohio Democrat dodges primary challenge Gov. Christie warns Iowa: ‘I will be back, Jersey-style’ if Romney loses caucus Party committees use New Year’s holiday to raise cash ‘Synthetic’ pot use rising in military Huntsman super-PAC slams Romney as a ‘chameleon’ Ohio Rep. Steve Austria to retire, sparing GOP a primary showdown Perry tries to ‘rally Iowa caucus-goers’ with ad Trump blasts Obama over Keystone pipeline DNC vice chairman: Romney is no Casanova Sen. Lieberman jokes about being a ‘weekend horn dog” Gingrich sees Sarah Palin as vice president, Cabinet secretary Hispanic group takes issue with Obama administration’s Plan B decision Ron Paul plans whistle-stop Iowa tour with Sen. Rand Paul McCain: Democratic control of Senate, White House preventing spending cuts Singer Kelly Clarkson defends Ron Paul pick, tells haters ‘unfollow me’ Santorum mocks Perry over forgetting anti-sodomy case White House delays $1.2T debt hike to give time for votes in Congress McConnell names his conferees for talks on payroll-tax cut Sen. McCain ‘astonished’ at low impact of allegations against ‘America’s Toughest Sheriff’ Democratic House candidate produces graphic anti-abortion-rights ad Insured Americans share healthier habits, survey says Romney’s son jokes about Obama’s birth certificate, grades Gingrich tears up over his mother DCCC moves to shore up House Dems imperiled by redistricting Romney plays to voter optimism in New Hampshire ad 100 hours to go for GOP in Iowa Treasury begins figuring out new fee to pay for Dodd-Frank powers Cain’s former Iowa director backs Gingrich Iowa kingmaker rips Ron Paul, hints at late endorsement in attempt to stop him Sen. Grassley would be ‘surprised’ if there’s a clear winner in Iowa DeFazio says USPS victim of ‘political agenda’ in Washington News bites: GoDaddy piracy boycott losing steam Planned Parenthood blasts Virginia’s new abortion regulations Romney, in Iowa, keeps bull’s-eye on Obama GOP kingmakers call election ‘make or break moment’ Whirlpool: Korean competitors trading unfairly Delaware approves Blue Cross Blue Shield plan’s affiliation with Highmark Paul to leave Iowa, stay in Texas for New Year’s Rep. Giffords checks out ‘Bodies’ exhibit Romney ad says it’s time for ‘pessimistic’ Obama to ‘step aside’ Refusing to answer to policy reasons Electric car company that received a $529M federal loan recalls vehicles Jon Huntsman should stop attacking Ron Paul, and start challenging Mitt Romney New Florida poll finds Romney, Gingrich in dead heat Widely feared ‘robocall’ bill tops most-commented list for 2011 Bloomberg swipes back at Gingrich over accusations he bought mayorship Gingrich to leave Iowa right after caucus Lincoln mayor: No plans to succeed Nelson News bites: Nebraska outlines alternative pipeline route Santorum defends his earmarks after Perry attacks them in ad News bites: Happy birthday, euro New poll finds Romney and Paul in neck and neck battle for Iowa victory McConnell to stay ‘10,000 miles away’ from primary contest in Kentucky Obama visits Pearl Harbor for first time since entering office Polls show Romney gaining steam