State of the Union Early Bird for October 16, 2011

(CNN)-It's early, and State of the Union is bringing you the best of the morning headlines to go with your cup of coffee.

On our radar this morning:  GOP fundraising numbers and the dedication ceremony of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.

Check out what we're reading, and make sure to watch our interview with GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich today at 9am ET, as well as our special coverage of President Obama's remarks at the MLK Memorial dedication ceremony today at 11am ET.

2012 POLITICS

Financial filings show differences in Perry and Romney efforts

Cain wins big in South Carolina tea party straw poll

Cain captured an eye-popping 55% of the vote. His closest challenger, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, picked up 14.5%. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann garnered 8% to come in third.

Romney Beating Obama in a Fight for Wall St. Cash

Since this spring, Mr. Romney has raised $1.5 million from employees of firms like Morgan Stanley; Highbridge Capital Management, a hedge fund; and Blackstone, a private equity firm. Mr. Obama has raised just over $270,000 from firms that were among his leading sources of campaign cash in 2008.

At Rallies, 2 Candidates Deliver Blistering Attacks on Illegal Immigration

Herman Cain, the former business executive who has emerged as a front-runner in some polls, said he would build an electrified fence on the border with Mexico that could kill people who try to cross illegally. Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota vowed to make English the government’s official language, to build a “secure double fence” and to eliminate “taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.”

IRAN

To Isolate Iran, U.S. Presses Inspectors on Nuclear Data

China and Russia, among other major Iranian trading partners, have resisted further oil and financial sanctions, saying the goal of isolating Iran is a poor strategy. Even inside the Obama administration, some officials say they fear any crackdown on Iranian oil exports could drive up oil prices when the United States and European economies are weak. As one senior official put it, “You don’t want to tip the U.S. into a downturn just to punish the Iranians.”

MLK MEMORIAL DEDICATION

Martin Luther King’s legacy for today

MLK memorial dedication set despite controversy

IN OTHER NEWS…

More arrests as Occupy Wall Street protests enter 30th day

U.S. combat brigade to leave Iraq well ahead of schedule

Thanks for reading!

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