While the rollout of his presidential exploratory committee flopped, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich turned his focus on Wednesday to rising gas prices -- and pointed the blame at President Barack Obama.

A disturbing pattern has emerged during Barack Obamas first term as president, noted Gingrich in an essay his team released on Wednesday. At the times when our nation most needs presidential leadership, Barack Obama chooses to let others take the lead.

An article out in Politico shows Marco Rubio 'building a national brand.' The freshman senator is making a name for himself as one who sticks to his tea party roots of smaller government and shrinking debt, even if that means opting for a different path than his own Republican Party.

From Politico:

Calling Tuesday's landslide ouster of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez a "resounding vote of no confidence in the current county administration," Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina says he's ready to step in.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez was ousted from office Tuesday night by voters angry over county spending, tax increases and a controversial stadium deal.

The recall election, engineered by South Florida auto magnate Norman Braman, attracted a relatively heavy turnout. With more than half the votes tallied, 88 percent were against Alvarez, making it mathematically impossible for him to win.

Early votes also were running heavily against County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, who was also up for recall.