Mitt Romney's win in the New Hampshire primary, Newt Gingrich's ad campaign attacking Romney's past in private equity, a new book about Michelle Obama's role as first lady were — for better or worse — the stories that dominated the headlines for the last week. The Takeaway has assembled a panel of analysts to rundown, dissect, and wrap-up all the major stories of the week.

The latest Republican presidential debate was held in New Hampshire on Tuesday night. Perhaps it was the mahogany table's influence but, unlike some of the more recent GOP debates, the atmosphere was cordial. The candidates steered clear of some of the more contentious topics — religion, race, immigration — that have been roiling the field. Instead, they expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Reserve and health care reform, among other subjects. But what, in a debate that focused primarily on the economy, did they offer to potential voters?

Republican primary voters in Delaware faced a much-hyped choice at the polls yesterday, and ultimately voted for Tea Party-endorsed Christine O'Donnell over moderate long-term Delaware Rep. Mike Castle. The state Republican party campaigned hard against O’Donnell, saying she is likely to lose against a Democrat in the general election. The outcome could have big consequences for which party will occupy Vice President Biden’s place in the Senate.

There's growing concern about the national debt: currently a gulp-inducing $13 trillion... and counting. President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is tasked with coming up with proposals to begin solving the problem later this year. We speak with Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee, and a member of the bipartisan deficit-reduction commission.

According to a new report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT, child poverty is on the rise in America. The report, which looked at data from 2008, shows that even before the recession hit, one million more children were living in households below the poverty line than in 2000. 

"That's a real warning sign for us," says Laura Beavers, national KIDS COUNT coordinator for the Annie E. Casey Foundation. "We are fully expecting that when the Census Bureau releases new data on child poverty this year, the child poverty rate is likely to climb above 20 percent."

The report also revealed the states with the highest ranking for overall well-being of children, and the states with the lowest rankings: New Hampshire ranked first, while Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi ranked in the bottom three.