Political contributor skirts limits of D.C. law - The Washington Times

		Monday, March 12, 2012 Today's Top Stories
Political contributor skirts limits of D.C. law Businesses owned for years by prominent D.C. contractor Jeffrey Thompson engaged in a pattern of political giving that appears to run afoul of city campaign finance law, combining to give twice and sometimes three times the maximum donation to city politicians in a single day, records show. Robert Griffin possibility revives Redskins fan base Aneesh Mehta had a weird feeling Friday. With his beloved Washington Redskins pursuing a franchise quarterback just days before the start of NFL free agency, he sensed something big was about to happen. That was why he continually refreshed the Twitter feed on his phone while at a birthday party Friday night. Obama's re-election fortunes ride on rising economy President Obama's re-election prospects are getting a boost from the plunging unemployment rate and the pickup in the economy and financial markets this year, economic and political analysts say. Santorum not so strong with Pennsylvania folks After a big win in Saturday's Kansas caucuses, Rick Santorum is riding high almost everywhere but in his native Pennsylvania. Obama expresses condolences for Afghan shootings President Obama offered condolences to the people of Afghanistan on Sunday for the killings of 16 civilians by a U.S. soldier in an apparent shooting rampage. Top Democrat's speeches for terrorist group probed The Treasury Department's counterterrorism arm is investigating speaking fees paid to a longtime Democratic Party leader who is among the most vocal advocates for Iranian dissidents designated as a terrorist group by the State Department. Japan remembers horrific quake, tsunami People across Japan prayed and stood in silence Sunday to remember the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the nation one year ago, killing 19,000 people and unleashing the world's worst nuclear crisis in a quarter century. 3 killed in 3rd day of Gaza-Israel violence Cross-border fighting between Gaza and Israel, touched off by Israel's killing of a top militant leader, showed no signs of letting up on its third day Sunday. Gaza militants fired dozens of rockets at Israeli towns, hitting an empty school, and Israeli airstrikes killed three Gazans, including a boy and a farm guard. CURL: Allred proves Sandra is no fluke Just in case you thought slutgate had reached its apogee of absurdity, the entrance into the story of sluts and hos attorney Gloria Allred should inform you otherwise. Santorum: Romney can't go after health care reform One day after winning the Republican caucus in Kansas, GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum renewed his attacks on front-runner Mitt Romney, saying the former Massachusetts governor can't credibly campaign against the president's signature legislative accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act. Brazil's new consumer class flocks to U.S. to shop The overstuffed bags filling Fernando Mello's luggage cart wobbled precariously as the gym owner made his way home one morning through Rio's international airport. Navigating the terminal, Mr. Mello was part of a horde of other Brazilian travelers returning with loot found in the strip malls and discount outlets of south Florida. Sarkozy threatens French pullout from visa-free zone President Nicolas Sarkozy threatened Sunday to pull France out of the European Union's coveted visa-free Schengen zone unless the bloc makes progress on protecting EU borders from illegal immigration. Egypt acquits 'virginity test' military doctor An Egyptian military tribunal on Sunday acquitted an army doctor of a charge of public obscenity filed by a protester who claimed she was forced to undergo a virginity test while in detention. Leftist opposition wins big in Slovakian election A left-leaning party led by one of the few leading politicians in Slovakia to escape voter anger over a major corruption scandal has been propelled back into power in an early parliamentary election, according to final results Sunday. Inside the Beltway: No geezers allowed in GOP race Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney turns 65 on Monday. Frequently attired in jeans and shirtsleeves, Mr. Romney is not embracing geezerhood, though he has 16 grandchildren. Neither is Rep. Ron Paul, 76, who would rather be pedaling a Cannondale bike; Rick Santorum, 53, who has a 3-year-old child; or Newt Gingrich, 68, who cultivates the dynamic statesman look with perfectly tailored suits. Gingrich predicts a double win in the South Newt Gingrich predicted he'll win Alabama and Mississippi on Tuesday and vowed he is in the running all the way to Tampa — in part, the former history professor said, because Mitt Romney "is probably the weakest Republican front-runner since Leonard Wood in 1920." Commentary EDITORIAL: Standing still on unemployment Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Friday show the unemployment rate has refused to budge. Despite 227,000 new jobs in February, the number of unemployed Americans remained unchanged at 12.8 million, as did the high 8.3 percent unemployment rate. Some 5.4 million have been jobless for more than 27 weeks, and a million have simply thrown in the towel and no longer look for work. These grim facts leave little room for optimism. EDITORIAL: Obama and the 50-buck light bulb The 50-dollar light bulb is a good metaphor for the Obama administration - way too expensive for most Americans to put up with. PETERSON: Obama college tuition cap favors wealthy "We are putting colleges on notice," President Obama said on the footsteps of the University of Michigan a few weeks ago. "You can't assume that you'll just jack up tuition every single year." KNIGHT: Will high court adopt the coercion test? As the American Civil Liberties Union prowls the land to muzzle public prayers, rip out Ten Commandments monuments and terrify small towns over Nativity scenes, help may be on the way from the U.S. Supreme Court. DREVNA: Tax on fuel exports wouldn't cheapen gas here The American people understandably are upset about high oil prices that have forced up the price of gasoline, straining family budgets and hurting struggling businesses. 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