Politics

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Supporters of U.S. soldier Private Bradley Manning listen to a speech as they protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London calling for his release, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Sen. Joe Manchin III (left), West Virginia Democrat, and Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican, comment as the Senate approves legislation that extends Social Security payroll tax cuts for two months, at the Capitol in Washington on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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Republican Sens. Mike Johanns (left) of Nebraska, Johnny Isakson (center) of Georgia and James Risch of Idaho leave closed-door negotiations on the payroll tax cut extension and other measures on Dec. 16, 2011, at the Capitol. (Associated Press)

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada , second left, leaves closed-door negotiations on the payroll tax cut extension and other measures as Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., far right, speaks with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Friday night, Dec. 16, 2011, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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House Speaker John Boehner, Ohio Republican, followed by Rep. Greg Walden, Oregon Republican, strides into a GOP strategy session on Capitol Hill singing "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" on Dec. 16, 2011, the morning after lawmakers from both political parties came together on an 11th-hour deal to keep the government from shutting down. (Associated Press)

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, criticizes Republicans as being responsible for a "do-nothing Congress" during a news conference on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Associated Press)

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** FILE ** Thomas E. Perez, the Department of Justice's Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** South Sudan's President Salva Kiirr (center) and Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir (right) stand July 9, 2011, on the podium at the start of independence celebrations in Juba, South Sudan. South Sudan raised the flag of its new nation for the first time, as thousands of South Sudanese citizens swarmed the capital of Juba to celebrate the country's birth. (Associated Press)

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House Speaker John Boehner (center), Ohio Republican, flanked by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (left), Texas Republican, and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, briefs reporters Dec. 16, 2011, on Capitol Hill after lawmakers from both political parties came together on an 11th-hour deal to keep the government from shutting down. (Associated Press)

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney arrives for a rally at Missouri Valley Steel in Sioux City, Iowa, on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. (AP Photo)

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** FILE ** Essayist Christopher Hitchens speaks during a debate on Iraq and the foreign policies of the United States and Britain, in this Sept. 14, 2005, file photo taken in New York. Vanity Fair reports Hitchens died on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Chad Rachman)

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House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, has teamed with Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat, to offer offering seniors a choice between private plans and a traditional Medicare plan. (Associated Press)

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Political observers in Iowa say Rep. Ron Paul's committed, energetic campaign workers have built up the kind of solid organization there that can inspire people to get out and vote for him in the Jan. 3 caucuses. His favorability numbers are rising. (Associated Press)

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Charles Holsopple spends time with his dog, Rocko Bhakti, outside of his tent at the Stop the Machine protest encampment at Freedom Plaza in Washington on Thursday. Mr. Holsopple, 58, left his home in Tampa Bay, Fla., to join the movement and has been here since Oct. 6. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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With the John A. Wilson Building looming in the distance, Charles Holsopple helps keep the area clean at the Stop the Machine protest encampment at Freedom Plaza in Washington on Thursday. Mr. Holsopple, 58, left his home in Tampa Bay, Fla., to join the movement and has been here since Oct. 6. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Republican presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (center) speaks Dec. 15, 2011, as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (left) and Texas Rep. Ron Paul listen during a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa. (Associated Press)

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Just in time for the remaining presidential debates and upcoming primaries: the lives of Republican hopefuls, as told in graphic-style comic books. (images from Bluewater Productions)

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Just in time for the remaining presidential debates and upcoming primaries: the lives of Republican hopefuls, as told in graphic-style comic books. (images from Bluewater Productions)

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Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich greets potential voters Thursday at the Willow Ridge Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He vowed to run a positive campaign,, less than three weeks before the GOP caucuses in a state where his once-strong support has slipped recently. (Associated Press)

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'WHIPPING BOY': Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio calls the Justice Department report a politically motivated assault by the Obama administration. (Associated Press)