U.S. Ambassador To Return To Syria

Press Secretary Jay Carney announced on Tuesday that US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford will be returning to Damascus.

“His return demonstrates our continued solidarity with the Syrian people and the value we place on Ford’s efforts to engage Syrians on their efforts to achieve a peaceful and democratic transition,” Carney said in a statement. “We believe his presence in the country is among the most effective ways to send a message to the Syrian people that the United States stands in solidarity with them.”

Carney added his hope that the Syrian government will uphold their commitment to the US and other foreign nations under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic personnel and facilities so Ambassador Ford can conduct his work in Syria without fear.

Watch: 8-Year-Old Calls Out Bachmann On Gay Rights

In a viral video circulating on the web, an 8 year old boy, identified in the video as Elijah, called out  Presidential Candidate Michele Bachmann for her conservative gay rights views.

“My mommy — Miss Bachmann, my mommy’s gay but she doesn’t need fixing,” Elijah whispered to Bachmann at a book signing in South Carolina for her new book,”Core of Conviction: My Story,” after some coaxing from his mother.

Bachmann remained speechless and awkwardly watched the mother and son walk away.

Bachmann is a major proponent of banning same sex marriages. She has been quoted by the Human Rights campaign as saying, “If you’re involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it’s bondage. It is personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement.”

Bachmann’s husband, Marcus, has also been called out for his Chrisitian Counseling Center that allegedly seeks to counsel gays to renounce their sexuality.

Poll: Public Wants Payroll Tax Cut

According to a recent United Technologies/ National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, the majority of Americans support President Obama’s efforts to extend the payroll tax cut, even if such an extension could potentially increase the federal budget deficit.

The poll shows that 58 percent of Americans believe Congress should extend the tax cut while only 32 percent believe there should be no tax cut extension.

Divided among the parties, 68 percent of Democrats favor the extension while 25 percent do not, 50 percent of Republicans favor the extension while 39 percent do not and 57 percent of Independents favor the extension while 33 percent do not.

The poll also reported that the nation is split over whether federal regulations enhance or hinder business growth and that voters are seeking a middle ground on extending unemployment insurance for those Americans who lost their jobs over the past year. 

The results are based on data collected from telephone interviews conducted December 1-4, 2011 by Princeton Survey Research Associates International among a national sample of 1,008 adults age 18 and over.

Click here to see the survery

Ex-VP Quayle To Endorse Romney

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will pick up a key endorsement Tuesday from former Vice President Dan Quayle. 

Romney, whose seen his numbers in recent polls skid with the emergence of Newt Gingrich, could not have picked a better time to pick up as influential an endorsement as Quayle.  

Quayle, who served as vice president under George H.W. Bush, is expected to announce his endorsement of Romney in Paradise Valley, Ariz. where he has a home. Quayle’s son, Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.), is a member of the Republican freshman class. 

Romney’s new endorsement comes just days after meeting with Bush senior, though sources have indicated that the meeting was just a “casual get-together,” according to reports.  

Activists Prepare To "Take Back The Capitol"

By Janie Amaya

Local activists began preparations Monday for three days of protests in the nation’s Capitol.

OurDC, a Washington-based nonprofit, is organizing the protests in hopes of drawing attention to unemployment within the district and beyond.

“I’m hoping [Congress] will see the multitude of people that are unemployed. And I’m hoping that it will make them think and re-route their thought pattern as far as cuts, and bring good jobs back into the district,” said Linda Evans, an activist with OurDC.

The demonstrations, entitled “Take Back The Capitol,” will include candlelight vigils, marches and rallies.

OurDC anticipates being joined by 3,000 activists from across the country and are mobilizing for the influx.

“We’re … making sure that the people that come to town have housing. We’ve got churches and various community support groups  that are helping out with feeding people,” OurDC activist John Butler told Talk Radio News.