My intrepid friend Wizard Kitten took her life in her hands and went out to East Grand Rapids to get a feel for Mitt Romney's return to the "land of his birth". Good pics and snarky comment.

Most Gulf Coast Aid Unspent   USA Today reports on its front page that documents from FEMA show the agency has approved $4.5 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the Gulf Coast region, but "only about $1 billion of that total has been spent." Key pieces of the region's recovery effort are languishing in red tape."

Bank of America To Buy Countrywide

Washington Post: Hopefuls Clash in Debate as First Southern Primary Draws Near
The leading Republican presidential candidates used a Fox News debate Thursday night to draw contrasts with their rivals on the economy, U.S. relations with Iran, immigration and political change in advance of two primaries next week that are expected to winnow the field.

Detroit Free Press: Hopefuls Snub State's Concerns For Environment
Environmental issues important to the Great Lakes are getting little respect and few commitments from presidential candidates.

Washington Post: Young Feminists Split: Does Gender Matter?
Even here at Wellesley College, Hillary Rodham Clinton's alma mater and a historic bedrock of progressive feminist thought, support for the senator from New York hardly registers as unanimous.

Wingers drool over Grandpa Fred's performance at debate

Clinton Lays Out Plan To Boost Economy In Vegas   The New York Times reports, "Adjusting her campaign to address increased fears of a recession," Hillary Clinton "said Thursday that she would call for quick enactment of a $70 billion emergency spending package and for a possible $40 billion tax rebate later if economic conditions worsen."

Video is of Grandpa Fred waking up.