The Hill Articles: March 13, 2012

Armenian lobbying groups mislead US public opinion How will Gingrich 2012 affect sales of extraterrestrial real estate? Romney: Santorum is ‘at the desperate end of his campaign’ Delegates, demography and ego Home costs Obama’s Achilles’ heel Kristin Bauer Reid looks to close out transportation bill Wednesday, then move to judicial nominations No truth to January job gains OVERNIGHT MONEY: Obama, Cameron get down to business on foreign affairs, economy Mitt’s weak 
argument GOP plan to permit commercialization of rest stops dismissed in Senate OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Healthcare law gets $50 billion price cut Exit polls: Alabama voters focus on candidates’ faith, Mississippi voters want to beat Obama Reid says he’ll plow ahead on postal reform OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Secretary Chu heads back to Capitol Hill Senate rejects amendment to allow states to opt out of federal transportation program Weyants World: March 14, 2012 OVERNIGHT TECH: Grassley might not lift FCC hold even after House investigation Conclusion of work on highway bill postponed to accommodate party for Sen. Collins Romney super-PAC’s Louisiana mailer lists wrong election day Gillibrand money pitch ties Rep. Turner to Limbaugh Democratic senators seek to curtail ‘harmful impact’ of super-PACs Fed: Citigroup fails stress test, but overall bank sector stronger Vote-O-rama picks up speed as Senate clears amendments by voice vote DAY’S END ROUNDUP LightSquared hires all-star lawyers in bid to save company Democrats want Senate action on judges before considering Republican jobs bill GOP plan to equalize gas tax payouts among states defeated in Senate Lingle won’t say who she’s backing in Hawaii GOP caucuses GOP presidential contenders weigh troop withdrawal from Afghanistan Bob Kerrey tells Nebraska it’s ‘good to be back’ in first campaign ads Gingrich campaign says gas plan has gotten ‘in the president’s head’ Reid: New poll on president’s popularity is ‘meaningless’ Reid predicts Senate will pass transportation bill Tuesday Kaine offers Allen ‘no secret money’ pledge in Va. Sen. Schumer calls out Arizona Gov. Brewer Natural-gas vehicles plan sputters in Senate Democrats recruiting former GOP lawmaker to run in Michigan primary Despite battles over Keystone and jobs council, AFL-CIO endorses Obama CBO: Obama’s health law to cost less, cover fewer people than first thought Stabenow’s green-energy tax break plan falls short Sen. McCain’s pick to play him in future film: ‘Ben Affleck’ Budget scorekeeper says deficit is $93B larger than expected Senate turns back sweeping oil-drilling amendment Mississippi lawmaker endorses Santorum Think tank’s book says Romney not to blame for Obama health law Consumer spending picks up in February No changes from the Fed New MoveOn.org ad hits GOP for waging ‘war on women’ History channel disappoints two members of Congress Over-regulation dragging down capital markets, small business GOP looks to stop federal regs on public swimming pools GOP lawmakers press TSA on private airport screenings McCain slams White House stance on Afghanistan policy Poll finds Santorum cutting Romney lead nationally to 5 points Dems ramp up push to protect lower student loan rates Green energy group seeks on-the-ground action for electric cars Ask A.B.: Romney will survive Southern primaries Energy chief: We aren’t asking Americans to spend $50 for a light bulb Senate clears amendment to exclude privatized highways from receiving federal transportation funds Unemployment rate drops in 45 states Gingrich: ‘I don’t see a path ahead’ for reform in Afghanistan CMS awards $75 million to test new mental-health benefits in Medicaid Senate drops amendment to send gas tax funds back to states Sarah Palin challenges Obama to debate Exchanges rule preserves Medicare opt-out for some patients Rep. Bob Turner to challenge Gillibrand in New York Senate race Santorum: Fox News is ‘shilling’ for Mitt Romney Obama: US will treat Afghan killings ‘as if it was our own children’ House to vote on health board repeal Obama: United States is ‘heartbroken’ over Afghan civilians killed in attack Alabama governor says his vote for Santorum wasn’t an endorsement Obama announces Chinese trade action on rare-earth minerals White House press briefing Tuesday, March 13 Iranian-backed terror groups expanding reach in South America, warns general Reid, McConnell lock horns over legislative agenda in Senate TechAmerica hires Shawn Osborne as new CEO Model Elle Macpherson bets on Obama Small-business optimism up for sixth consecutive month Sen. Alexander calls on Reid, McConnell to reach judicial nominations deal Reps. Altmire, Critz release dueling TV ads in Pennsylvania Meeting heroes in Indiana House GOP on track to produce budget Obama administration launches health partnership in developing countries Democrat uses ‘Game Change’ to slam Sarah Palin Obama steps up pressure on China to loosen export restrictions Why cutting PEPFAR is bad policy Poll: US public divided on Israeli strike on Iran Pro-Santorum super-PAC makes $260,000 ad buy in Louisiana Ethics Committee allows lawmakers to link from campaign to congressional sites Kerrey attacked in Crossroads ad for ‘backroom deal’ with Reid American Conservative Union backs Manzullo over Kinzinger Santorum warns GOP shouldn’t pick party’s nominee too quickly Gore: ‘Our democracy has been hacked’ Christie fundraiser nets $600,000 for Menendez challenger Gingrich: ‘RomneyCare strikes me in the end as a dead loser’ Biden: Obama ‘would’ve been a one-term president’ if bin Laden mission had failed EMILY’s List eyes 4 more House contenders Senate GOP to Obama: Accept Yucca Mountain or return Yucca development money Santorum: ‘My 12-year-old will out-reason Bill Maher’ Gingrich: Romney a ‘dead loser’ because of Mass. healthcare law News bites: Reimbursement Gingrich and Perry and Huntsman, oh my! (And Sarah Palin) The complexity of energy New DNC ad attacks Romney over decision to opt out of Medicare Tuesday: Transportation bill amendments in the Senate News bites: News International’s Rebekah Brooks arrested Petition calls on White House to allow Limbaugh to remain on military radio News bites: On ‘fracking’ and pollution Obama warns opponents against ‘using religion as a bludgeon in politics’ Poll: Obama’s approval rating falls sharply News bites: Up the chain Alabama GOP chairman: Gingrich ‘probably in the lead right now’ News bites: Insurer clout, birth-control backlash, and more MORNING READ Illinois primary pits leaders vs. Tea Party GOP candidates face high stakes in Tuesday’s Deep South primaries House GOP supports temporary small-business tax break Rep. Bachus battles super-PAC in toughest primary challenge of his career President Obama targets China’s rare-earth minerals exports Report: Panetta says death penalty possible in Afghanistan shootings GOP lawmaker: Military action without approval an impeachable offense White House won’t change Afghan plan Gas prices trigger Obama scramble Candidates weigh family’s privacy vs. political gain in campaigns