Politics

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Republican presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich laughs Jan. 5, 2012, as he is asked a question during a campaign stop in Meredith, N.H. (Associated Press)

Pro-Syrian regime protesters shout slogans and hold portraits of Syrian President Bashar Assad during a demonstration Jan. 4, 2012, in Damascus, Syria, to show solidarity for Assad. (Associated Press)

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Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, Iran's naval chief, briefs the media on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, during a press conference in Tehran on an upcoming naval exercise. (Associated Press/Fars News Agency) ** FILE **

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Syrian investigators inspect next to a damaged car at the scene of a bomb in Midan neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 6, 2012. An explosion ripped through a police bus, killing many in an attack authorities blamed on a suicide bomber, an official and state-run TV said. (Associated Press)

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Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich campaigns at the Plymouth Senior Center on Thursday in Plymouth, N.H. With the New Hampshire GOP primary just days away on Jan. 10, the former House speaker is contrasting the front-runner's record with his own. (Associated Press)

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Joseph P. Kennedy III, a grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy, said he is forming an exploratory committee to run for the congressional seat held by retiring Rep. Barney Frank. (Associated Press)

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White House Press Secretary Jay Carney speaks during his daily briefing, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum poses for a photo with Tilt 'n Diner employees Bobby Welch (left) Ann Malvey (second from right) and Charielle McLaughlin (right) as he pays a visit to customers and employees at the Tilt 'n Diner in Tilton, NH, Thursday, January 5, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum chats with customer Mike Ahern, of Plymouth, NH, as he pays a visit to customers and employees at the Tilt 'n Diner in Tilton, NH, Thursday, January 5, 2012. Mr. Ahen was asking Mr. Santorum about the lack of jobs which are not related to stores which pay minimum wage and make it difficult for many people to succeed financially. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Under the looming microphone booms, Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum signs his autograph as he pays a visit to customers and employees at the Tilt 'n Diner. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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A table covered with the remnants of a finished meal remain on a table as customers wait for the arrival of Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum as he pays a visit to customers and employees at the Tilt 'n Diner. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is surrounded by news crews as he pays a visit to customers at the Tilt 'n Diner. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum talks with a customer while surrounded by news crews as he pays a visit to customers at the Tilt 'n Diner. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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People watch and try to catch the attention of Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum as he pays a visit to customers and employees at the Tilt 'n Diner. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum chats with Baltimore, Md., residents Bob Feldman (left) and Jack Skurnik (right) as he pays a visit to customers and employees at the Tilt 'n Diner. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Tilt 'n Diner Assistant Manager Ann Malvey (second from right) talks with news tv crews while customer Dona Mueller (right) waits for a table as the people of the diner prepare for the visit of Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, at the Tilt 'n Diner in Tilton, NH, Thursday, January 5, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Sara Smith, of Northfield, NH, holds her seven year-old son Evan as they listen to Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum's campaign speech at the Merrimack Valley Railroad Company. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum delivers his campaign speech at the Merrimack Valley Railroad Company. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Shawn Hogaboom of Franklin, NH, listens as Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum delivers his campaign speech and fields questions from the audience at the Merrimack Valley Railroad Company. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Backlit by television lights, Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum stands before a large crowd as he delivers his campaign speech at the Merrimack Valley Railroad Company. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)