Over the weekend, Libyan rebel forces took key positions near the capital of Tripoli, and last night they flooded into the capital and battled with loyalists to Col. Moammar Gadhafi. Rebels captured two of Gadhafi's sons, including Seif al-Islam, the assumed heir-apparent, while civilians celebrated in the streets over what may be the end of Gadhafi's 42 years in power of Libya. Meanwhile, in the United States, candidates who hope to capture the Republican presidential nomination continue to duke it out over who would lead the country best, and President Obama is preparing his jobs plan, which he'll unveil in a speech next month.

Voters separated wheat from chaff this weekend, at the Iowa straw poll. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann won the poll, while former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a poor showing and cut his campaign short, removing himself from the GOP roster. Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced his candidacy Saturday, and Sarah Palin attracted big crowds at the Iowa State Fair, further shaking up the GOP roster. This week, President Obama is also in the midwest, on a bus tour of Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. He's planning to sharpen his messaging against Republicans on the handling of the economy and jobs creation.

Last night eight Republican presidential candidates gathered at the Iowa State University in Ames for a televised debate. The eight debaters were: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former pizza chain executive Herman Cain, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Who said what, and which candidate fared best?

Nearly two months after their last debate, the Republican presidential candidates gathered on stage at Iowa State University in Ames last night, for another national televised debate. Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Governor Tim Pawlenty, both from Minnesota, sparred about their records. Who dominated? And who stumbled?

It is widely assumed that Texas Governor Rick Perry will soon announce plans to seek the Republican nomination for president. The governor's announcement may come this weekend, a week after his large prayer rally in Houston — which drew almost 30,000 attendants — where he prayed for divine intervention to the assist President Obama's judgement. 

The recent debt ceiling debate between Democrats and Republicans has invited dissident voices within the GOP, fracturing the party's image of solidarity. House Republican leaders delayed a vote on their plan to raise the debt ceiling Monday night after opposition from dissenting conservatives in the party. Last night House Speaker John Boehner was reportedly able to convince a growing number of House members to get behind the plan — but only reluctantly.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann made it official yesterday - she is running for president. She will go up against the likes of Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Tim Pawlenty, for the Republican nomination.  How will her entry change the race?

The Republican presidential candidates squared off last night in New Hampshire. It wasn’t the first debate – South Carolina beat the state to the punch. But it was the first one with former Massachusetts governor and front-runner Mitt Romney on stage, and a litmus test for Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.

The GOP will see it's first major debate with all its prominent players in New Hampshire today. Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, and Rick Santorum are all expected to participate. Todd Zwillich, The Takeaway's Washington correspondent, is most interested in how Bachmann and Santorum try to "out-conservative" each other to gain the following of those who don't support Mitt Romney. A topic that will surely be a key part of the debate will be the poor state of the economy. A set of key economic indicators is set to be released this week. Charlie Herman, economics editor for The Takeaway and WNYC, is expecting retail sales to fall, and a stock market finishing down for six weeks in a row is certainly not helping either. 

"Republicans control one half of one third of our government. There are a lot of other players that we need to work with," House Speaker, John Boehner told the press Thursday as another budget extension was voted on. He finds himself between a rock and hard place, explains Takeaway Washington correspondent, Todd Zwillich. Rep. Boehner will have to negotiate with both the Tea Party and democrats Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and President Obama. Meanwhile, the House voted to defund public radio production in a bill that will likely not pass the Senate.

American conservatives are gathering in Washington for the annual CPAC Forum. This year’s Conservative Political Action Conference will see a wide field of Republican presidential hopefuls who are sure to make an appearance, and deliver their best case for the GOP nomination. This year there is no front runner (and Sarah Palin will not be attending.) For a preview and analysis, we speak with The Takeaway's Washington correspondent, Todd Zwillich.  

Republicans are planning to undo as many of the Obama administration's regulations as they can. This includes regulations on Wall Street, health care and the EPA and greenhouse gasses. Republicans are calling these regulations "burdensome" and are creating a bill that will strip the EPA of any power to regulate greenhouse gasses or climate change.

Reince Priebus was elected the GOP's new chairman on Friday, replacing Michael Steele. He alreday has his sites set on the 2012 presidential election, and taking down Barack Obama. Todd Zwillich, The Takeaway's Washington correspondent gives us some background on Priebus. And Ron Christie, CEO of Republican Christie Strategies and the author of "Acting White: The Curious History of a Racial Slur," said on our show last week he thought the new leader would be Saul Anuzis or Maria Cino. He'll share his surprise with us about the choice of Priebus, and how he thinks it will shape the GOP.

The stage is set for the swearing-in ceremony of Florida governor, Rick Scott. The republican rode a wave of anti-incumbent fever to become the new governor of Florida. Voters wanted an outsider and that's exactly what they got. However, along with his outsider status, Scott has the baggage of being the former head of Columbia/HCA, which was at the center of a Medicaid fraud scandal.

As the 112th Congress begins, Rep. John Boehner takes his position as Speaker of the House. How will Boehner compare to past speakers, and will he bring more accountability to Washington?

President Obama is reaching out to Republican lawmakers this week in an attempt to foster bipartisanship. However, a growing number of state Democrats are turning their backs on the party and joining Republicans. So far 13 politicians in five states have switched parties. Is the move a reaction to anti-Washington sentiment, an expression of personal political ideology or a reflection of a changing constituency?

Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin is one of the most talked-about figures in politics today. With her new book, "America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag," coming out today, we wanted to hear from the people who love and support her in the Republican party.

With Thanksgiving approaching, how many notches you'll have to relax that belt buckle won't be the only question people will be asking. Much of the focus will be on air safety and retail sales. Many travelers are not happy about the latest security measures the TSA is using for secondary screening, including full-body scans and thorough pat-downs. Many see both as extremely invasive, but the TSA says that both measures will stay. Callie Crossley, host of "The Callie Crossley Show" at WGBH in Boston, will see if any changes will come as Thanksgiving quickly approaches.

Republicans had major victories after Tuesday's elections, taking over control of the House and gaining several seats in the Senate. When the new Congress goes to work in Washington, D.C., the GOP will now be a mix of conservatives and Tea Party candidates.

Pennsylvania turned from blue to red, electing Republicans Pat Toomey to the Senate and Tom Corbett as governor. We talk with Renee Amoore, deputy chair of the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, about Tuesday's election and what it means for the future of the Republican party. 

For Tea Partiers, last night's race was a mixed bag. Tea Party candidates did well in states that were already red, like Kentucky, and South Carolina, but failed to make gains in bluer states like Delaware. In Nevada, Sharron Angle, one of the most notorious Tea Party Republicans, lost to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the state's wildly unpopular Democratic Senator.