On Friday, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts unveiled a major endorsement of his bid for the Republican presidential nomination -- Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina. South Carolina will be third up in the procession of states that will determine the GOP nominee behind Iowa and New Hampshire.

Republican presidential candidate former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania launched a new commercial running in Iowa -- and bringing up the names of prominent conservatives Mike Huckabee, Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. None of those three conservative favorites has backed Santorum.

National tea party leader Mark Meckler was arrested at LaGuardia Airport Thursday after trying to check in a handgun on his flight. Meckler's Glock 27 and ammunition were locked in a safe and presented to a flight attendant at the Delta counter. He reportedly told authorities he needed the gun for protection after receiving threats. Because he did not have a New York State license to carry the weapon, the Tea Party Patriots co-founder was charged with second degree possession of an illegal weapon.

In discussing border issues, Rick Perry said Attorney General Eric Holder should be ordered to resign over his role in the Fast and Furious gun-walking scheme. The Texas governor went on to dispute President Barack Obama's claim that America's southern border is the safest it's ever been. Mitt Romney proposed an identification card for people who come here legally. Employers would be required to check those cards through E-Verify or a similar system -- "or face serious sanctions."

Newt Gingrich called President Obama's opposition to the Keystone pipeline "utterly irrational." Citing a loss of U.S. jobs amid turmoil in the oil-rich Mideast, the former House speaker said the president's policy weakens the economy and makes America more vulnerable across the globe. Michele Bachmann was asked what would be an acceptable drilling moratorium in the event of another BP-type oil spill.

Deflecting charges that he is "running to the left of Obama," Ron Paul said, "I am running with the American people." Speaking about Iran, the Texas congressman said, "There is no evidence they have a nuclear weapon. This is another Iraq coming. There's war propaganda going on." Other candidates took far more hawkish positions at Thursday night's GOP presidential debate in Iowa. Rick Santorum called Iran a "radical theocracy."

Newt Gingrich exposed a streak of latent liberalism when he praised Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt while calling for the abolition of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal. Mitt Romney also was questioned closely at Thursday night's Fox debate for having passed over several Republicans in favor of nominating Democrats to judicial posts while governor of Massachusetts.

Newt Gingrich's ethics and conservative credentials were called into question by Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul at Thursday night's debate. After hearing Gingrich defend his involvement with Freddie Mac, Paul said, "He has a different definition of private sector." The Texas congressman called government-sponsored enterprises like Freddie "the worst kind of arrangement. The mixture of business and government is very dangerous. At its extreme, it becomes fascism."

Rick Perry touted himself as the "Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses," and said he is warming to debates. After stumbling in previous debates, the Texas governor said Thursday night that he looks forward to debating Barack Obama. "I'll be there early," he vowed. Jon Huntsman called himself "the only consistent conservative" in the GOP field. The former Utah governor declared that "America is getting screwed" under current leadership in Washington.

Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul answered questions about their electability during a Fox News debate on Thursday night. "Barack Obama will not have a leg to stand on after I debate him," Gingrich said. As for questions about his shifting policy positions, the former House speaker said, "I change when conditions change." Paul said, "Anybody on this stage could beat Obama -- the challenge isn't all that great. He's beating himself."

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University board Chairman Solomon Badger says hell need to talk with the board before acting on Gov. Rick Scotts request to suspend President James Ammons. This is a very difficult decision that we are facing. We have supported President Ammons leadership even through this crisis, Badger stated in a release. I want to discuss the governors request with members of the FAMU board of trustees. We will make a decision about how we move forward on Monday.

Gov. Rick Scott has called for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Universitys board of trustees to suspend President James Ammons. A release from the governors office states: After returning from a trade mission to Israel today, Governor Scott was briefed by members of his senior staff regarding the latest developments in the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) investigations. Governor Scott has since had a conversation with FAMU board of trustees Chairman Solomon Badger regarding the boards meeting next Monday, Dec. 19.

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who scored a straw poll victory in Pasco County earlier in the week, won the Hialeah-Miami Lakes Republicans and the Miami Young Republicans straw poll on Wednesday night. Paul took 67 percent of the votes cast followed by Mitt Romney and Gary Johnson. Sixty Republicans voted in the straw poll. Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux beat out the other GOP hopefuls in the U.S. Senate race in the straw poll.

Associated Industries of Florida, one of the chief representatives for business in Tallahassee, unveiled its new president and CEO on Thursday -- former U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney. Feeney, who takes over from Barney Bishop, will start at AIF on Jan. 1.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, now running in the crowded Republican primary to see who will challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, sent out a message to supporters on Thursday cheering a straw poll victory from the night before. I have some good news to share with you. Last night, I won the Miami Young Republicans/Hialeah-Miami Lakes Republican Club straw poll with a resounding 52 percent! LeMieux wrote. Supporters like you made last night's straw poll win possible and will carry us to victory in 2012.