Pawlenty embraces underdog mantle in New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire (CNN) - Tim Pawlenty's advisers reacted with pleasure at their boss's third place showing in last weekend's 2012 presidential straw poll conducted by the New Hampshire Republican Party.
It's a sign, they say, that the former Minnesota governor's frequent visits and organizational efforts in the first-in-the-nation primary state are paying some early dividends among GOP activists.
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Justice Thomas amends financial disclosure forms
(CNN) - Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has released newly corrected financial disclosure forms showing his wife's past employment, blaming a misunderstanding for years of omissions of Virginia "Ginni" Thomas' salary at a conservative think tank and other jobs.
Thomas was required to report the information on the annual disclosure forms all federal judges must file. The forms did not disclose how much money Mrs. Thomas was paid.
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Inside the first lady’s State of the Union box
(CNN)–The first lady will host 24 guests in her viewing box for Tuesday night’s State of the Union address delivered by President Barack Obama.
Among them are the second lady, Dr. Jill Biden, small business owners and corporate leaders; young inventors; persons who’ve benefited from the Recovery Act or the Affordable Care Act, heroes of the tragedy in Arizona, and soldiers of distinction: one has achieved the Medal of Honor, one is recovering at Walter Reed, and one has returned from two deployments in Iraq.
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Aides: Senate leaders close to pact on filibuster reform
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Top Democratic and Republican senators, negotiating proposed reforms of the use of filibusters and other legislative stalling tactics, are close to an agreement on modest changes to curb the practices but not eliminate them altogether, two Senate aides told CNN.
Despite increased public attention to the often-controversial procedures, supporters of reform don't appear to have enough bipartisan support to force sweeping changes, the aides said. Much of the opposition to the changes comes from senior senators who have seen party control of the Senate switch several times and are wary about giving up the considerable rights available to the minority.
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Santorum: 'Life is a civil right'
(CNN) - Republican 2012 presidential hopeful Rick Santorum ramped up his criticism of President Barack Obama's stance on abortion writing Monday for the National Review.
This follows a controversy sparked Thursday when the former senator made comments to CNSnews.com comparing abortion with slavery and criticizing Obama's stance on abortion. In the article Santorum explains the merit of his comments, stating that the president has "wrapped himself in the history and legacy of civil rights."
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House conservatives keep pressure on GOP leaders on spending
Washington (CNN) - Under pressure from House conservatives demanding deeper spending cuts than what House GOP leaders proposed, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said he is open to allowing a vote on their proposal.
"We committed prior to the election that we would reduce discretionary spending to '08 levels. If the will of the House is such, if there are 218 votes to deliver on ‘06 levels, then so be it," Cantor said Monday at his weekly session with reporters in the Capitol.
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Chicago ballots ordered printed with no Emanuel
Washington (CNN) - The Chicago Elections Board on Monday placed an order for the printing of two million ballots for next month's mayoral election without the name of former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel after an Illinois appeals court ruled his name could not be included because he failed to meet the residency requirement.
Emanuel's team filed papers Monday night with the Illinois Supreme court to request a stay that would allow the ballots to be printed with Emanuel's name on them, according to the court.
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Christie turns down chance at State of Union spotlight
Washington (CNN) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who denies any interest in a presidential run at every turn, has turned down the coveted nationwide opportunity to deliver the Republican response to the State of the Union, a source close to Christie confirmed to CNN.
The source said Christie was offered the chance to give the Republican response following President Obama's address, but declined the invitation. Scheduling difficulties were part of the reason, but the source said "we would have made it work if he had wanted to do it."
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Top Senate Budget Republican not ruling out government shutdown
Washington (CNN) – Most Republicans demanding to slash federal spending won't entertain the idea of taking a possible standoff with President Obama so far that the government shuts down.
But the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee told CNN Monday he's not ruling out that possibility "if the President just stonewalls – refuses to pass anything that will be responsible."
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House majority leader says Ryan, not Bachmann, "giving the official Republican response"
Washington (CNN) - There may be two House Republicans giving high-profile responses to President Obama's State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, but House Majority Leader Eric Cantor made it clear that it's the new House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, not Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, who is speaking for the GOP.
"Paul Ryan is giving the official Republican response," Cantor said when asked at his weekly session with reporters if Bachmann's response will step on the GOP message.
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