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National Spelling Bee: 10 winning business words

In the National Spelling Bee’s 85-year existence, a wide range of words have crowned the winners – from science words like ‘crustaceology,’ to musical terms such as ‘soubrette,’ and ‘appoggiatura.’ The list of winning words also includes several that could slide right into the pages of this newspaper’s business section. In honor of the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee, here are 10 business words from past years that have determined the champion. Will this year’s winning word make the list?
Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Environmentalists

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.
New Year’s Eve: five ways to ring in 2012
Mitt Romney gaffes: 11 times the button-down candidate should have buttoned up
In Pictures: Joe the Plumber

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'Racist newsletter' timeline: What Ron Paul has said

Ron Paul has had to explain racially charged statements and other controversial comments in newsletters published in his name in the 1980s and 1990s. Here's what he's said over the years.
As Iowa's Kent Sorenson jumps to Ron Paul ship, rat analogies abound

Michele Bachmann lost her Iowa campaign co-chairman, Kent Sorenson, to Ron Paul on Wednesday. But state Senator Sorenson himself may stand to lose the most by his defection.
Payroll tax and attack ads latest issues for Romney and Gingrich to lock horns over

A payroll tax extension may be on the way but Republicans like Newt Gingrich insist on a one-year extension. Meanwhile Romney supporters have continued airing ads attacking Gingrich in Iowa. Gingrich tried to take the higher road but Romney says 'if it's too hot for you, get out of the kitchen.'
Rick Perry rebound in Iowa: Assisted by veterans?

Polls show Rick Perry gaining ground and Newt Gingrich weakening in Iowa. Why Rick Perry may be picking up the vet vote.
GOP race in a microcosm: Romney fund-raising in NY, Gingrich lectures on brain research

Mitt Romney is fund-raising in New York. Newt Gingrich is talking about brain science research in Iowa. What are the other Republican candidates doing today?
Mitt Romney gaffes: 11 times the button-down candidate should have buttoned up

In politics, a gaffe is often described as a "truth told by accident." Mitt Romney has had relatively few of them during his time in politics, but lately, the former governor of Massachusetts has had a bunch. The most recent: a leaked video that shows Mr. Romney dismissing President Obama’s supporters as ‘victims,’ dependent on government. The video stoked criticism of how the candidate’s unforced errors are preempting debate on Mr. Obama’s record, especially on jobs and the economy. Here’s a list of the most memorable verbal missteps.
Oh, yeah? Fact-checking the presidential candidates

Did you hear the one about Romney? Fact-checking journalists found some of the assertions in Saturday night's Republican debate to be at least a little wobbly and in some cases outright false.
As debate approaches, Republicans, conservatives target Newt Gingrich

As front-runner in the Republican presidential nominating race, Newt Gingrich is a natural target for critics. At this point, it's mainly conservatives and fellow Republicans questioning his character and leadership qualities.
Occupy movement's last big stand: Boston?

With Occupiers cleared out of New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, and the status of the San Francisco camp in jeopardy, the last major encampment is Boston, which recently got a stay of eviction of up to two weeks. What do Occupiers do if they can't occupy public spaces anymore?
Newt Gingrich trails in organizing in early-voting Iowa

Gingrich, former House speaker, is striving for a remarkable comeback with the smallest staff and the fewest precinct-level campaign backers of the seven candidates competing in the Jan. 3 presidential caucuses that kick off voting in the fight for the GOP nomination.
No sign of Herman Cain quitting yet, 'reassessing'

Herman Cain: Publicly, there were no signs that the former pizza company executive was calling it quits in his campaign for the presidential nomination.
Is Mitt Romney nomination really inevitable anymore?

Mitt Romney has tried to paint his nomination as inevitable. But Newt Gingrich hopes to siphon support from a limping Herman Cain campaign, making Romney win anything but inevitable.
Ron Paul's strength in Iowa shows it's too soon to write him off

Though he has a large and loyal following, Ron Paul's positions on key issues sets him apart from many Republicans. But he keeps moving steadily toward a position of strength in the early voting – especially in Iowa.
Republicans seek Iowa social conservatives' nod

At an event sponsored by an Iowa Christian group, Republican candidates tried to gain a political edge with social conservatives. But some of the discussion turned uncharacteristically personal.
Why Herman Cain supporters are sticking with him

In the wake of sexual harassment allegations, why are supporters standing by Herman Cain? Iowa Herman Cain supporters speak out.
If Rick Perry skips debates, will Mitt Romney be next?

The Rick Perry campaign has said that Perry might not attend all seven Republican presidential debates between now and the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses. That could have a domino effect.
Can Herman Cain actually win the GOP nomination?

Herman Cain continues to run strong in polls of Republican voters nationwide and in key states. So why do experts still say he's a long shot for the GOP nomination? Organization and experience.
Herman Cain: What did he say about abortion?

Herman Cain came under attack for his pro-life position. What did Herman Cain say exactly?
Mitt Romney's secret weapon: Iowa caucuses could go his way

Mitt Romney was not expected to do well in the Iowa caucuses and has put little effort into winning Jan. 3. But polls suggest that he might be well positioned for a victory.
Does Rick Perry really want to be president?

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's debate performance, and other clues, indicate to DCDecoder that Rick Perry may not be 'in it to win it.'
In Pictures: Joe the Plumber
Did Florida just quash a possible Chris Christie campaign?

By holding its presidential primary on Jan. 31, Florida bumps the whole nominating calendar forward. That means anyone still contemplating a 2012 bid (maybe Chris Christie or Sarah Palin) has a lot less time to pull together a credible campaign.
In Pictures: The Hermanator Experience
Why Chris Christie won't run for president, despite some GOP pleas

Rick Perry's fumbles have created an opening for a strong candidate to jump in the GOP presidential race. But Chris Christie really, truly does not seem to want to run, at least this time.
9/11 Anniversary: Around the country, Americans pause to remember

The nation commemorated the tenth anniversary of 9/11 with moments of silence and a determination to carry on. In New York, the families of those lost visited the 9/11 Memorial for the first time.