Politics

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In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians gather at an alley destroyed by two cars bombs in the Jaramana neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/SANA)

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Bill Acosta sorts through his numerous diplomas, awards and other important documents in his basement office on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York borough of Queens on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Mr. Acosta, who is a veteran with a long record of government service, is upset that the Federal Emergency Management Agency or any other government office was unable to offer him financial assistance. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a Syrian soldier, right, and citizens gather at an alley that was destroyed by two cars bombs, at Jaramana neighborhood, in the suburb of Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/SANA)

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Sen. Marco Rubio’s trip to Iowa for Gov. Terry Branstad’s fundraiser this month has excited members of his party looking toward 2016. Iowa, after all, is home to the first-in-the nation caucuses, though the Florida Republican downplayed any extra significance for the trip. (Associated Press)

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** FILE ** In this Nov. 27, 2012, file photo, President Obama meets with Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto in the White House, setting the stage for boosting relations between the nations. (Associated Press)

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Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihino Noda, front left, U.S. President Barack Obama, center front, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, sitting right, attend the East Asia Summit at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

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FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2012, file photo, President Barack Obama speaks about the Thanksgiving holiday in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. The White House said Tuesday, Nov. 27, that the president plans to make a public case this week for his strategy for dealing with the looming fiscal cliff, traveling to the Philadelphia suburbs Friday as he pressures Republicans to allow tax increases on the wealthy while extending tax cuts for families earning $250,000 or less. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

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Mike Lonergan pauses during a news conference to announce him as the new head coach for men's basketball at George Washington University on Monday, May 9, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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From left, Michael Cerveris, Elena Roger and Ricky Martin bow at the curtain call after a performance in the Broadway production of “Evita.”in New York. Mr. Cerveris, Ms. Roger and Mr. Martin will perform their final performances on Jan. 26. (Associated Press)