Politics

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GUNNING FOR A RUN: Rep. Steve King of Iowa takes Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas (right), a prospective Republican presidential candidate, on a pheasant hunt in Mr. King's home state, which will decide early winners and losers. (Associated Press photographs)

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Party for party: Rep. Paul Ryan (right) of Wisconsin presents a cheesehead hat to Terry E. Branstad at the Iowa governor's 67th birthday bash.

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Former Sen. Rick Santorum (above) of Pennsylvania, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (below left) and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah are three potential Republican presidential hopefuls who have made the trek to Iowa this year. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, other possible 2016 contenders, have yet to travel to the Hawkeye State this year. (Associated Press photographs)

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Education Secretary Arne Duncan has championed the Common Core system but apologized for saying the program's critics are driven by "white suburban moms" who fear their children's test scores will drop as a result of more rigorous standards. (Associated Press)

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The White House Youth Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, maybe just in time. A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans who have not yet turned 30 know the least about Obamacare. (THE WHITE HOUSE)

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A vote on a bill that would extend a ban on undetectable plastic guns was delayed until Tuesday so that bill sponsor Rep. Howard Coble, North Carolina Republican, could be present to vote. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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The Capitol in Washington, D.C. is shown in an aerial view Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2001. The view shows the west side of the Capitol, with the Senate to the left of the dome and the House of Representatives at the right. The three Senate office buildings, Russell, Dirksen, and Hart, left to right, are seen in a cluster beyond the top of the dome. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is all smiles Monday as he files paperwork to run for a second term at the Board of Elections. He is one of 11 people seeking the Democratic nomination. (associated press)