The Hill Articles: October 18, 2012

Poll finds Obama leads Romney in Wisconsin, Iowa Obama spinning toward a loss Team Obama expresses surprise at Romney’s NC move NRCC runs contest for anti-Pelosi slogans McKeon wants DOD review of key weapons system for Afghanistan Murphy, McMahon spar over social issues, economy in Conn. Senate debate FTC offers $50,000 for best technology to combat illegal calls US allies elected to UN Security Council Romney all but erases Obama’s polling lead on foreign policy White House throws weight behind Filipino WWII vets OVERNIGHT CAMPAIGN: Poll position Obama on Libya: ‘If four Americans get killed, it’s not optimal’ Belligerence is not a strategy for the Middle East Michelle Obama promotes voting-themed Pinterest contest Dem wants poll-watching group’s data Barbra Streisand fundraising for Democrats Uncertainty over sequestration needs to end US wins trade case over steel exports to China Female senators express outrage over Taliban attack on Pakistani girl Five metaphors to explain Romney’s tax plan Bipartisan Policy Center floats fiscal cliff solution Romney has edge in key national poll, but swing states remain close Biden says GOP Young Guns’ bullets aimed at middle class Military vets press GOP on wind credit An honest outcome in Venezuela, But what about here? Report: Top Libyan militant present at Benghazi attack Clinton denies presidential interest Michelle Obama aims to woo women voters in campaign video McMahon’s wrestling company paid $4.4 million to settle tax dispute Minn. Democrat calls GOP rival ‘scumbag gutter dweller’ on radio Obama taps two generals for new posts Americans’ desire for domestic energy is rooted in economics MPAA ‘skeptical’ of Megaupload founder’s new service Reid says Romney gives ‘used car salesmen a bad name’ Clinton: Rules of road needed to prevent Arctic ‘catastrophe’ Director David Lynch doesn’t dig Romney’s name Blumenthal demands crackdown on ‘misleading’ scooter chair ads Obama ad highlights Romney ‘delighted’ remark on abortion ban Biofuels industry presses congressional leaders to maintain fuel rule US puts $12M bounty on Iran-based al Qaeda money men, freezes their assets NRSC attacks Carmona on earmarks in Arizona Senate race Report claims Romney profited from auto bailout Enviro groups enter Maine Senate race with ad buy Two questions for Obama and Romney on Afghanistan Report: Military personnel face issues receiving student loan benefits Rep. King says Congress should retroactively kill estate tax if no deal this year Axelrod has high hopes … for NBA player Show us the DATA on government spending Ryan tells Fla. crowd: Obama ‘not telling you what his second-term plan would be’ Clinton calls ‘Energy diplomacy’ central to US foreign policy Hatch calls for more details on China currency The Clean Water Act turns 40 today Google stock trading halted after results released early Obama, Clinton knock Romney on auto bailout Business, labor rev up ground games American Crossroads video charges Obama misled public on Benghazi EADS retools US defense holdings in wake of failed mega merger State Department begins live-streaming its press briefings Team Obama downplays president’s funny side Reagan 1984, Obama 2012 AARP urges Congress not to extend payroll tax break another year Remove restrictions imposed on U.S. credit unions FCC unveils updated online cyber tool for small businesses Grassley calls for oversight of local housing authorities after reported abuses Graham doubles down on accusations that Obama purposefully hid the truth about Libya attack Pelosi averts ‘post-apocalyptic’ moment for NPR host Mortgage rates remain near historically low levels Binders and blinders Oil-and-gas group questions EPA fracking study The economic case for voter ID laws NY appeals court rules DOMA unconstitutional Ad attacking Allen West features child with cerebral palsy Ann Romney: Mitt ‘absolutely’ done with politics if he loses election on Nov. 6 Clinton, Springsteen rock Ohio Honey, I shrunk the Rangel portrait Obama daughters’ school evacuated Obama opens 3-point lead in Florida Top House committee pushes FDA on meningitis outbreak History shows businessmen make bad presidents Feinstein faults Obama’s intel director for mixed messages on Benghazi attack Rep. Brady says Obama did well in debate by not answering questions Warner calls for Dodd-Frank corrections in new Congress RNC Web video uses ‘hope’ and ‘change’ rhetoric to slam Obama Study shows 33 percent spending increase in federal poverty programs Hamid Karzai: Afghanistan ready if NATO accelerates its troop withdrawal plan Sudan and South Sudan must choose peace The Boss endorses Obama as nation’s ‘best choice’ AT&T sounds alarm over Sprint’s Clearwire deal Brown promotes bill allowing vets to get commercial driver’s licenses Ex-Secret Service agent remembers running with presidents Romney offers course correction at home and abroad War on women Clinton: ‘Energy diplomacy’ central to US foreign policy Dennis Miller endorses Romney as the ‘gosh president’ Talking mailer hits Akin on rape comments News bites: Solyndra lenders ahead of government won’t recover fully Heller leads comfortably in two new polls News bites: Welcome to hardball Poll: Murphy leads McMahon in Connecticut Senate race Wall Street urges action on fiscal cliff News bites: Back to Medicare House members look to ease Medicare audit burden on hospitals Claims for jobless benefits jump News bites: Sprint to assume majority control of Clearwire Axelrod: Romney record on hiring women at Bain ‘poor’ McDonnell: ‘Good idea’ to laugh about ‘binders’ remark Lingle within 4 points of Hirono in internal poll Thursday’s global agenda: New questions about Iran sanctions Tagg Romney: Obama made me want to ‘take a swing at him’ in debate Romney camp slams tax group analysis as ‘misleading, deceitful’ First lady: President ‘didn’t point fingers, didn’t place blame’ Report: Family says former Sen. McGovern ‘no longer responsive’ Study finds rise in harassment claims on Capitol Hill MORNING READ Democratic Senate hopefuls in red states wrestle with threat from Obama Team Romney won’t rein in GOP nominee during third debate Senate candidates in tough races raise $57M Obama, Romney sharpen their arguments for rematch over Libya In lively third debate, Tierney labels challenger Tisei a ‘Tea Party Republican’