Sinking in the polls at the national level and in Iowa, where she has pinned much of her presidential hopes, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota went on the attack on Tuesday. Bachmann released a new Web video which attacks the conservative credentials of the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination: Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. Bachmann also unveiled a new website on Tuesday which highlights her record and contrasts it with her primary rivals.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, now in a crowded Republican primary field looking to take on Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, weighed in on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to hear a constitutional challenge to the federal health-care law signed by President Barack Obama.

On Monday the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee unanimously confirmed, without comment, the following appointmentsand lengths of service: Board of Accountancy:David L. Dennis of Longwood, to Oct. 31, 2014; Martin G. Fennema of Tallahassee, to Oct. 31, 2014. Barbers Board: Andrew J. Raines of Pensacola, to Oct. 31, 2013. Florida Citrus Commission: J.A. Clark III of Wauchula, to May 31, 2014; Vernon C. Hollingsworth of Arcadia, to May 31, 2014; James S. Horrisberger of Lakeland, to May 31, 2014; G. Ellis Hunt Jr. of Babson Park, to May 31, 2014.

The team behind U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, who is expected to enter the crowded Republican primary field to take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, is forwarding an endorsement from a major conservative figure -- pundit Sean Hannity. The Mack camp is forwarding the following video clip of Hannity praising Mack on Friday.

A poll released on Monday found that Iowa is up for grabs, with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich catching businessman Herman Cain and five of the hopefuls for the Republican presidential nomination pulling in double digits.

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will review the health reform lawsuit brought by 26 states -- including Florida -- and the National Federation of Independent Business. The states and NFIB claim President Barack Obama and Congress exceeded its power by requiring Americans to buy health insurance starting in 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act.

Businessman and Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain took off the gloves in an interview with GQ released on Monday. Asked about what ice cream flavor reminded him of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-MN, Cain said, Tutti-frutti. I know I'm going to get in trouble!

The campaign behind Republican presidential hopeful former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts unveiled its team to reach out to social and religious conservatives in the Sunshine State on Monday. While Romney has take socially liberal positions in the past -- namely during his two statewide bids for elected office in Massachusetts back in 1994 and 2002 -- his supporters insistthat Romney now stands with social conservatives against abortion and on the role of religion in the public square.

On Monday, the team behind former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah attacked Republican presidential primary rival former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for ideas he expressed at a debate on Saturday, which -- the Huntsman camp insisted -- would lead to a trade war with China. Huntsman served as ambassador to that nation under President Barack Obama.

State Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, who with State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, introduced the highly watched destination gaming legislation, used some of his heritage to argue the case for why some South Floridians may be more open to their proposal that allows a trio of casino resorts to be built, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

The western Panhandle may soon join the growing interest in the field of pari-mutuel slot machines. The Northwest Florida Daily News is reporting that tourism officials in the western Panhandle are waiting to see if the Florida Supreme Court decides to hear the pending appeal against the law that lets the Legislature approve slot machines anywhere in the state.

Orange-Osceola Circuit Judge Tim Shea, who agreed in June to be publicly reprimanded for bully attorneys in his courtroom, has told the Florida Supreme Court he isnt going to accept its punishment, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Shea, 56, thought he had settled the matter in June by agreeing to be publicly reprimanded by the high court; but last month, the court said that was too lenient, the Sentinel reported.

A new book claims Newt Gingrich spent $1 million on jewelry to "buy off" his reluctant wife and stop her objecting to his running for president. "Election 2012: The Battle Begins," by reporters Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon, follows up on previous reports about Gingrich's unpaid $500,000 charge account at Tiffany's and his Greek cruise with his third wife, Callista. Gingrich's staff denied the latest account, which details the GOP hopeful's extravagant spending while he professes to be a fiscal conservative.

Four GOP presidential candidates accused CBS News of bias at Saturday's debate in South Carolina. A network memo suggested as much. In the email hours before the debate, CBS News political analyst John Dickerson wrote: "OK, let's keep it loose though since [Rep. Michele Bachmann] is not going to get many questions during the debate and shes nearly off the charts in the hopes of getting someone else." Sure enough, the bulk of the questions went to Mitt Romney, Herman Cain and the latest flavor of the week (again), Newt Gringrich

A second North Florida county may be moving toward having a gaming facility featuring slot machines. Hamilton Downs Horsetrack in Jasper has asked the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering (DPMW) for permission to use its Quarter Horse racing permit to hold pari-mutuel barrel racing, according to Bloodhorse.com, which covers the thoroughbred and equine industry.