Cancer drug reverses Alzheimer's in mice: study

◼ A widely available cancer drug has shown remarkable success in reversing Alzheimer's disease in mice, raising hope of a breakthrough against incurable dementia in humans, US researchers said Thursday. - france24.com

Mice treated with the drug, known as bexarotene, became rapidly smarter and the plaque in their brains that was causing their Alzheimer's started to disappear within hours, said the research in the journal Science.

"We were shocked and amazed," lead author Gary Landreth of the Department of Neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio told AFP.

"Things like this had never, ever been seen before," he said.

The drug works by boosting levels of a protein, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), that helps clear amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, a key hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

"Think of this as a garbage disposal," Landreth said.

"When we are young and healthy, all of us can basically get rid of this (amyloid) and degrade it and grind it into small bits and it gets cleared.

"Many of us will be unable to do this as efficiently as we age. And this is associated with mental decline or cognitive impairment."

Six hours after mice got the drug, soluble amyloid levels fell by 25 percent, ultimately reaching 75 percent reductions. The effect lasted up to three days, said the study.

◼ Discussion at Lucianne

“This race has degenerated into an onslaught of negative attacks not worthy of the American people and not worthy of this critical time,” Huntsman said. “At its core, the Republican Party is a party of ideas, but the current toxic form of our political discourse does not help our cause.”

◼ Jon Huntsman drops out, endorses Mitt Romney - Juana Summers/Politico

“For our nation to move forward together with new leadership and unity, the Republican Party must first unite,” Huntsman said, explaining his support of the former Massachusetts governor.

...And though he’s now switching his support to Romney, Huntsman spent the last few months intensifying his criticism of the former Massachusetts governor and poll leader that’s included swipes at Romney’s own divisive rhetoric and his changing views on issues. Last week in New Hampshire, Huntsman said Romney’s remark about liking to fire people made him “pretty much unelectable.”

◼ Huntsman: A boutique candidacy that didn't sell - Byron York/Washington Examiner

◼ A Fitting Finale to the Huntsman Flop - The Other McCain (video source)

Another consistent theme of Huntsman’s candidacy also continued until its end: His final campaign press conference was lavishly covered by the media. Multiple network cameras, dozens of press photographers and scores of reporters were on hand for the 11 a.m. event in Room 202 of the Sheraton Convention Center on Oak Street. Among the faces I recognized in the media swarm: Byron York of the Washington Examiner, Danny Yadron of the Wall Street Journal, Dan Balz of the Washington Post, Michelle Goldberg of Newsweek and Carl Cameron and John Roberts of Fox News.

Huntsman’s media coverage was always grossly disproportionate to his support among Republican voters. He was the subject of glowing profiles in the mainstream press and treated with deference in network TV interviews. Yet despite his enviable media coverage, Huntsman never got out of the single digits in national polls of likely GOP primary voters. Strangely enough, however, his poll numbers were always deemed minimally sufficient to include him in televised debates.

Huntsman to Drop Out, Endorse Romney

◼ The editorial board of the South Carolina paper The State would have liked to have had this information before they published their Huntsman endorsement this morning. - Michelle Malkin
◼ Huntsman could bring us back together - The State
◼ Huntsman dropping out. Endorsing Romney. - Althouse
◼ According to National Journal, the often strange campaign of Jon Huntsman will come to an end tomorrow in a formal withdrawal from the Republican presidential nomination race. Huntsman plans to endorse Mitt Romney on his way out - HotAir
◼ Huntsman to drop out of the race - neoneocon
◼ Huntsman withdrawing, endorsing Romney — already has taken down anti-Romney ads from YouTube - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion
◼ Huntsman Will End Bid - National Journal

The endorsement will take place at 11 a.m. EST at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where Huntsman had previously scheduled several campaign events on Monday.

Poll: Gingrich Surging in South Carolina

◼ The InsiderAdvantage poll of South Carolina likely Republican primary voters shows Newt Gingrich surging, coming within a statistical tie of Mitt Romney. - Newsmax

The poll of 726 registered voters was completed Wednesday night and offered the following results:

Romney -- 23 percent
Gingrich -- 21 percent
Santorum -- 14 percent
Paul -- 13 percent
Huntsman -- 7 percent
Perry -- 5 percent

◼ PPP North Carolina primary poll: Three way tie with NC Republicans – Gingrich 25%, Santorum 24%, Romney 22%

Republican Candidates Ready to Rumble in Key New Hampshire Debate

◼ The ABC News/Yahoo! News/WMUR debate that has the potential to be the most explosive one yet. - ABC

The debate, the only broadcast network debate in prime-time before the primary... will be moderated by ABC News’ Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos, as well as WMUR-TV anchor Josh McElveen.

For every candidate, there is a lot at stake.

◼ GOP New Hampshire primary debate tonight on ABC

Air Time: Saturday, January 7th at 9pm ET / 6pm PT on ABC

Live Stream: ◼ WMUR and ◼ Yahoo! News

Participants: Santorum, Romney, Paul, Perry, Gingrich, Huntsman

DISSATISFACTION WITH the economy, expressed in spasms of anger toward Wall Street and Washington; the dashed hopes of many who believed that Barack Obama’s election would create a new spirit of unity; and genuine uncertainty about Democratic health care reform — all of these have created an historic opportunity for the Republican Party.

◼ Boston Globe endorses Huntsman: For vision and national unity

Among the candidates, only two stand out as truly presidential, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. Both have track records of success, and both, through their policies and demeanors, have shown the breadth of spirit to lead the nation. But while Romney proceeds cautiously, strategically, trying to appease enough constituencies to get himself the nomination, Huntsman has been bold. Rather than merely sketch out policies, he articulates goals and ideals. The priorities he would set for the country, from leading the world in renewable energy to retooling education and immigration policies to help American high-tech industries, are far-sighted. He has stood up far more forcefully than Romney against those in his party who reject evolution and the science behind global warming.

With a strong record as governor of Utah and US ambassador to China, arguably the most important overseas diplomatic post, Huntsman’s credentials match those of anyone in the field. He would be the best candidate to seize this moment in GOP history, and the best-prepared to be president.

High Stakes, High Drama for Final Debate Before Voting Begins

◼ It’s been 32 weeks since the first Republican presidential debate. Since then, a changing cast of contenders has faced off a dozen times across the country with millions watching at home. - FOX

Of the original combatants from that May 5 meeting in Greenville, S.C., only two, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum, remain. There have been four lead changes in national polls, two candidates drop out, four candidates join the field and billions of pixels poured out by reporters and pundits trying to make sense of it all.

Tonight, that all culminates here on the western edge of Iowa with the 13th showdown -- the last chance for candidates to make their cases before voters start the process of picking a presidential nominee. Even in a cycle that has been shaped by televised debates like no other, the stakes for the candidates this evening are enormous.
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DEBATE TONIGHT:

Air Time: Thursday, December 15 at 6pm PT (9pm ET) on Fox News
Live Stream: FoxNews.com
Participants: Bachmann, Gingrich, Huntsman, Paul, Perry, Romney, Santorum
On Twitter: #iowadebate is the hashtag for the debate.

Huntsman Gingrich debate wrap

◼ If you missed the live web feed of the two person debate in New Hampshire, you missed a good one. - HotAir

(Fortunately for you they will be replaying it on C-SPAN at 8 PM eastern.) We had ◼ a very lively discussion going on during the debate here at Hot Air, but I assure you it will be worth your time to watch the replay.

The format was, as promised, a rather casual, two person discussion on weighty topics of the day. The moderator simply provided general topics – almost entirely on foreign policy – and gave both Speaker Gingrich and Governor Huntsman ample time to explore each one in depth. There was no sniping and no “gotcha moments,” as Newt noted in his closing. The discussion points were important and both men demonstrated a remarkable depth of knowledge on matters from Afghanistan / Pakistan to Israel / Iran to China....

◼ Missed it? Watch it online at C-SPAN

The Newt Gingrich-Jon Huntsman Lincoln-Douglas Debate: TODAY w/Livestream link

◼ What: A Lincoln-Douglas Debate between Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman - Hillbuzz
Where: St. Anselm College, New Hampshire
When: 4pm EST. 1pm PT Monday December 12th, 2012

◼ Race 4 20012′s Gingrich/Huntsman Lincoln – Douglas Debate open forum will go live at 3:30pm EST. The debate will be streamed live online here. It will also rebroadcast on TV at 8pm EST on CSPAN.
◼ WATCH HERE
◼ Alternate livestream at http://live.cnn.com

◼ Missed it? Watch it online at C-SPAN
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Newt Gingrich
Jon Huntsman

Gingrich: If They Fear Trump, How Do They Handle Obama?

◼ Newt Gingrich blasted his Republican cohorts Friday for refusing to attend The Newsmax ION Television 2012 Presidential Debate, saying they can’t expect to defeat Barack Obama if they’re worried about moderator Donald Trump. - Newsmax

"I think if you're afraid to debate with Donald Trump, people are going to say, 'so you want me to believe you can debate Barack Obama but you're afraid to show up with Donald Trump?'" the ex-House Speaker said on Friday expanding comments he made to Fox News' Greta Van Susteren earlier in the week.

"It strikes me that it's kind of a very weak position. I don't know why people would do that."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Romney declined earlier in the week without giving specific reasons. Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Jon Huntsman and Michele Bachmann have declined as well.

And on Friday radio host Don Imus expressed surprise at candidates who declined an invitation to the Trump Debate Sponsored by Newsmax and ION Television.

“It would be the most watched debate of any of them,” he said.

Newsmax and Trump have said they will forge ahead with the debate.

Rick Santorum has said he will join Gingrich in the debate.
__________________
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT) Join The Newsmax ION Television 2012 Presidential Debate for the most important meeting of the major Republican candidates before the Iowa caucus and primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida!

Moderated by Donald Trump, the Newsmax ION Television 2012 Debate will be streamed over Newsmax.com, the largest online conservative news portal in the nation, and be broadcast live on the ION Television network to 100 million U.S. homes.

RSVP HERE to get special notices about this debate, be invited to online VIP events before and after the Debate and have an opportunity to participate online in the event itself!

'The Trump Debate' Debate (UPDATED)

◼ Reince Priebus on Trump debate: 'Malpractice' not to think there’s problems Politico

“We appreciate what Mr. Trump has done, but if you’re still talking about potentially running as an independent candidate, I think that’s a problem,” Priebus said on Fox News. “I think that would be malpractice for me as an RNC chairman to not believe that that is an issue.”

Although Priebus repeated a previously made assertion that it was simply up to the candidates to “do whatever they want to do,” the RNC head repeated that Trump’s continued flirtation with a potential 2012 bid for the White House concerned him.

“I think that having a successful businessman serving as a moderator has a lot of value. But the issue here is whether the moderator should still be a person who’s still batting around the idea of running as an independent. I think that should give some of these candidates some concern,” he said.

◼ Perry, too, takes a pass on the Trump debate

So far, Republicans Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, and Ron Paul have said they will not participate. Paul’s campaign said Trump’s participation will contribute to a “circus-like atmosphere,” while a Huntsman spokesman emailed Business Insider that “We look forward to watching Mitt and Newt suck-up to The Donald with a big bowl of popcorn.” Romney, like Perry, said he will focus on hitting the campaign trail. Perry has had weak performances in several past debates.

◼ Reince Priebus on the Trump debate. - Althouse

◼ Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump’s GOP debate, says Mitt Romney should participate - NY Daily News

Palin believes the criticism is unfounded, and that the debate will be a great platform for candidates to express their views.

"I think candidates should not be afraid in front of the nation no matter who the host of the debate is," Palin told the Fox Business Network on Wednesday night. "What is a bit appealing about this idea of Trump hosting a debate is, consider the diverse audience that perhaps he can attract...."

"America needs to wake up to what is going on under Obama's socialist policies and how he will bankrupt the country," she told Fox Business News. "I'm looking at the debate as a positive thing because of that fact."

◼ ACU Endorses Trump Debate, Says GOP Candidates Should Attend - Newsmax

“This will be a serious debate focused on serious issues," Cardenas added. "Conservatives across the nation will appreciate a debate hosted by a trusted conservative media outlet like Newsmax that includes a spirited conversation with the candidates, led by Donald Trump, a crowd favorite among CPAC attendees.”

◼ Tea Party Express Loves Trump Debate, Says GOP Candidates Must Attend - Newsmax

“Amy Kremer, Chairman of the Tea Party Express, said, ‘I hope all of the candidates will participate in this debate on the eve of the Iowa caucuses. Newsmax has been an indispensable part of the conservative media that keeps voters informed of the critical issues facing America. As the co-sponsor of the CNN/Tea Party Express Presidential Debate on September 12th in Tampa, Florida, we know the hard work that goes into a successful debate. We applaud Newsmax and Donald Trump for taking on this project for the sake of our country.’

“The debate is scheduled for Dec. 27 in Des Moines, Iowa. It will be available in 99 million homes throughout America on the ION Television network, and it also will be streamed on Newsmax.com.

“ ‘We are proud to join with Newsmax and other conservative organizations as a sponsor of this debate. Donald Trump has demonstrated his keen interest in restoring a responsible conservative to the White House, and his celebrity and commitment to conservative policies make him an ideal moderator for the debate.

◼ Trump Debate: Hannity Says, 'I'll Be There' - Newsmax

◼ Romney's Snub of Trump Debate Seals Fate in Florida - Newsmax

◼ Dick Morris: Romney Must Attend Trump Debate - Newsmax

Bachmann says "no."

Huntsmentum: Rasmussen now has Huntsman in double digits in New Hampshire

◼ Huntsman’s in fourth with 11 percent, three points behind Ron Paul. That’s his best poll of the campaign, and doubly noteworthy since it’s a poll of likely voters. - HotAir

His strategy’s always been straightforward: Turn New Hampshire into a two-man race with Romney and then count on the silent “Not Romney” supermajority to sweep him to victory. Two problems with that, though. First, according to Rasmussen’s crosstabs, voters overwhelmingly see Romney as more qualified to be president than Huntsman. Mitt’s split is 79/13 on that question, Huntsman’s is 46/36. I have no idea why — Huntsman served as governor as long as Romney did and has ambassadorial experience to boot — but it is what it is. If it did come to the two of them, Romney would have a huge electability advantage on that point. Second, unlike with Perry, Bachmann, and Cain, there’s no reason to think Gingrich is going away.

Full CNN Republican National Security Debate

What to Watch in Tonight's Republican Debate in Washington, D.C. TONIGHT 5-7

◼ Much to gain and lose for Gingrich, rivals in CNN national security debate - CNN

Republican presidential candidates take on national defense, the economy, international relations and terrorism issues in the CNN Republican National Security Debate in Washington, moderated by Wolf Blitzer at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday on CNN, the CNN mobile apps and CNN.com/Live.

The candidates share the stage at DAR Constitution Hall, just down the street from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. CNN is teaming up with leading Republican-leaning think tanks Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute to host a debate that focuses heavily on national security and foreign policy issues, but which will also include top economic concerns, including the failure of the congressional super committee to find agreement to cut $1.2 trillion from the country's long-term debt.

The debate is the 11th major showdown between the Republican candidates and the first in 10 days.

It's also the first in which former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is firmly among the front-runners in national surveys, deadlocked with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the top spot in the nomination race.

◼ The latest GOP debate comes at a time of campaigns in turmoil and unanswered questions about foreign policy - The Atlantic

◼ GOP debate: Conflict for AEI and Heritage as new players? - Washington Post

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Heritage Foundation, two conservative think tanks that are co-sponsoring the debate with CNN, will appear front and center by asking many of the questions during the debate that will be moderated by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer at the historic 2800 capacity Daughters of the Revolution Constitution Hall. But can the two think tanks divorce themselves from the candidates they are tied to in order to produce an impartial debate?

Obama: 'All the choices we've made have been the right ones'

◼ Transcript: ABC News' Jake Tapper's Exclusive Interview With President Obama via Drudge

The California budget is beginning to look like a slow-motion train wreck, which everyone can see is coming but no one can do much about.

◼ California Budget Disaster Looms, but Slowly - Fox & Hounds

All the friendly backslapping and bonhomie was easy in June, since the budget was passed and December was a long ways away. Even when the state's July revenues came up $531 million short of estimates, hey, that's just one month.

But then the August numbers came up another $65 million below forecast and folks started to get nervous.

The prospect of watching as much as $2.5 billion in automatic cuts to K-12 schools, the university and state college systems and other state programs convinced legislative Democrats to come up with a bill that required state financial types to give 10 days notice if they decided those "trigger" cuts were needed and force the state Department of Finance to "consult" with the Legislature on alternatives to the cuts set out in the budget agreement.

Brown quickly vetoed the bill, saying the changes would undermine the budget plan.... read the rest...

◼ To the dismay of Democrats, Jerry Brown has become trigger-happy. - Peter Hannaford for The American Spectator

◼ We have a systemically dysfunctional state government. Until it is changed – radically – to align it with our 21st century reality, it will not and cannot deal effectively with the state's major issues. - Dan Walters.Sacramento Bee

Schwarzenegger at least tried to make reforms. If Brown really wants a legacy for the history books, he would revive that crusade.

Insulin may slow Alzheimer's, study finds

◼ Inhaling it through the nose twice daily seems to slow symptoms of memory loss. More study is needed, but researchers are encouraged. - LA Times

Leno: Government statistics show the U.S. economy created zero jobs in August. President Obama now says he’s confident this month he can double that.

Jon Huntsman's new ad: #1 v #47

Huntsman has already unveiled his economic and jobs plan, and he is the first to do so before Obama’s speech on Thursday. This 12-page plan was lauded by the Wall Street Journal, which described it as “better than anything so far from the GOP field.”
__________________
Jon Huntsman

RedState: The Horserace for September 2, 2011

◼ Let’s go through all the candidates today. All of them.