The Hill Articles: January 12, 2012

Americans’ top economic concern: Jobs Perry ad: ‘I’m not about to quit’ US health officials celebrate polio victory in India as funding cuts loom Rick Perry in new ad: ‘I’m not about to quit’ 2010 Manchin foe will seek rematch President Obama requests $1.2 trillion debt hike over GOP objections Sen. Blumenthal calls for enhanced care for retired military dogs Senate ‘dysfunctional,’ says Rep. Mo Brooks Top Democrat praises mortgage giants for extending forbearance 4 chiefs of staff in under 3 years? DAY’S END ROUND-UP Sen. Leahy planning changes to controversial piracy bill ahead of vote US won’t sign EU space treaty Privacy group urges antitrust probe of Google search option Sen. Nelson: Iraq should pay for US embassy security AFL-CIO divided on Keystone pipeline Poll finds Romney surging nationally Ask A.B.: Gingrich throwing bombs House members press Obama administration on Vietnam human rights Beyonce designs t-shirt for Obama campaign John Glenn: I would rather ‘wrestle a gorilla’ than ask for campaign money Hillary Clinton condemns ‘deplorable behavior’ shown in Marines video Gary Miller switches districts following Lewis’s retirement Perry: Naive to think Democrats wouldn’t have attacked Romney’s Bain record White House says DOJ recess appointment memo ‘will pass muster’ Spoof: Anti-tax advocate Norquist ‘carried on secret affair with taxes’ Fitzpatrick gets Democratic challenger in Pennsylvania TSA collected $400,000 in spare change left by passengers in airports in 2011 Gen. Dempsey: Video of alleged USMC misconduct ‘erodes’ military’s reputation Official deficit shrinks in first quarter of 2012 Report: Fla. Gov. Rick Scott considered accepting Obama administration rail money Rep. Joe Wilson predicts Obama defeat Perry and Cain still trading blows Congress should abandon ‘the quick fix’ Study: Premiums could rise 25 percent without insurance mandate Union chief: Congress controlled by ‘climate change deniers’ FCC commissioner questions whether Comcast misled regulators Rep. Shuster: Pipeline safety bill shows benefit of ‘putting infrastructure before politics’ House panel announces user fee hearings Retail sales post best year in a decade; holiday sales strong Killing regulations endangers jobs and workers Obama, Netanyahu discuss Iran HHS deems insurance rate hikes ‘unreasonable’ in 5 states GOP Rep. Jerry Lewis to retire from House DOJ: Recess appointments allowed when Senate cannot provide advice and consent Administration unveils sweeping plan to protect the country’s oceans Study: Half of US healthcare spending covers 5 percent of Americans Top Perry donor defects over attacks on Romney’s record Justice Department memo argues Obama recess appointments were legal Chamber president calls Gingrich attacks on Romney’s private-equity work ‘foolish’ Lockheed touts F-35 milestones Rand Paul: It’s a two-man race for the GOP nomination Business should ’embrace’ consumer protection agency, new chief says Chief Obama economist says tax hikes on rich would boost economy McCain on super-PACs: ‘They’re terrible’ First lady: White House life like a ‘bubble’ Poll: Romney pulling away in Florida Watchdogs push Obama to make FEC appointments before election George W. and Laura Bush had hoped Jeb Bush would run for president Gingrich threatens to sue TV stations that air pro-Romney attack ad Former Sen. Allen gets primary challenger in Virginia Washington’s spending addiction Retailers warn economy will be slowed by new trucker scheduling rules Democrats call for hearing on cellphone-tracking software GOP Rep. Terry, environmentalist McKibben battle over Keystone pipeline Mortgage rates keep dropping; few can take advantage Marines receive first F-35 fighter planes Stabenow challenger tops $1M in fourth quarter Obama’s dangerous defense doctrine Ron Paul triumphs on Twitter Giuliani to Newt: ‘What the hell are you doing?’ Pro-Romney PAC’s ad blasts Gingrich as ‘desperate candidate’ Ros-Lehtinen warns against Iran’s interest in Ecuador’s uranium Gifts for Prince William and Kate Middleton from lawmakers: Calif. gov. gives iPad, Australian mayor chooses trinket box Defense strategy only charts America’s decline Ron Paul supports Romney on ‘vulture’ layoffs. Shame! Panetta, Karzai condemn ‘deplorable,’ ‘inhuman’ conduct of US Marines First lady: White House life like a ‘bubble’ News bites: California could get tax windfall from Facebook stocks DeMint: GOP hopefuls missed their chance to question Romney’s business record Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt speak with President Obama at White House Rick Perry attacks Mitt Romney’s ‘vulture’ business US Chamber: Obama should give green light to Keystone oil pipeline now Michelle Obama gets her own Twitter account A new kind of warfare Romney’s ‘dog on a car roof’ story won’t go away Crossroads goes after Kerrey in Neb. Romney v. Paul? Palin defends Perry for attacks on Romney’s record PIPA would devastate online startups, suggests Wyden Back in his district, Wyden defends Medicare plan Berkley gets primary challenger in Nevada Jobless claims jump back to 399,000 after holiday season News bites: X-rated road maps Gingrich defends criticism of Bain, Romney as fair Pennsylvania Rep. Barletta is second lawmaker to endorse Santorum Bush: Obama must defend No Child Left Behind from becoming ‘punching bag’ John Bolton endorses Romney Poll: Romney slipping in South Carolina, holds just two-point lead over Gingrich News bites: Young guns News bites: Fracking tech goes deep, natural gas prices drop, and more DeMint says without libertarians, GOP won’t be able to gain majority Pro-immigration reform group names seven lawmakers to ‘Heroes’ list News bites: High-risk pools, penny-pinching seniors and more Obama, DNC raise $68M in fourth quarter Florida Senate hopeful to endorse Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan Incoming White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew like Rahm sans %@#! Hollywood or Silicon Valley? — Obama faces a difficult choice on SOPA Business groups, Republicans launch onslaught on president over Keystone District rights find surprise ally: Obama The Chamber’s message maven MORNING READ Feud erupts over DNC chairwoman’s comment on Giffords shooting GOP frets Gingrich’s attacks will damage Romney in November general election White House: No, we’re not campaigning Obama promise to close Guantánamo prison unfulfilled Lawmakers geared up for battle over defense spending, military strategy California Democrats up pressure on Obama over home foreclosure relief House Ethics panel continues probe of Dem Rep. Hastings 9-9-9: The key to GOP victory A GOP sigh of relief Shay Mitchell Mitt Romney ate here