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      REUTERS
      GOP candidates for Congress bullish on Gingrich

      The hottest argument in Republican circles is whether nominating Newt Gingrich would be disastrous or providential.

   2. House passes $1T budget bill, avoids shutdown
2. More news
   1. Senate OKs short-term extension of payroll tax cut

      The Senate has approved a two-month extension of a cut to the Social Security payroll tax and jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed.

   2. Boehner, Bachmann on Meet the Press Sunday

News from Capitol Hill

1. 1. Senate negotiators reach deal on payroll tax

      The deal also would extend unemployment benefits and stave off a cut in Medicare payments to doctors -- in exchange for a quick decision on the Keystone pipeline.

   2. House passes $1T budget bill, avoids shutdown
   3. Deal made to stop government shutdown
   4. Romney enjoys unexpected conservative cover
   5. Defense bill nears passage in Congress
   6. Poll: Most Americans want payroll tax extension
   7. Congress leaders hope deal near on gov't shutdown

News from the White House

1. 1. NYT: Health care law will let states tailor benefits

      In a major surprise on the politically charged new health care law, the Obama administration said it will permit state-by-state variations of benefits within broad categories.

   2. Obama visits Fort Bragg to mark end of Iraq war
   3. Obama's crossover message, from kitchen to mansion
   4. What matters most in 2012?
   5. Holder criticizes states' restrictive voting laws
   6. Poll: Majority of GOPers view presidential choices as 'average'
   7. NYT: Holder signals review of new state voting laws

Political cartoons

1. 1. 

      Politicalcartoons.com
      The Week in Political Cartoons

      Msnbc.com's political cartoonists take a look back at the past week.