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Your afternoon reading: George H.W. Bush calls Romney "best choice"; Paul wooing social conservatives in Iowa; Arpaio investigation draws skeptics

Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore

The glare of the front-runner spotlight may be getting to Ron Paul.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

First lady Anita Perry at a campaign stop for her husband in Orange City, Iowa, on Oct. 8, 2011.

Your afternoon reading: Anita Perry featured in new campaign ad; Paul gets new Super PAC; Texas has largest population growth

Enlarge photo by: Ben Philpott

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal stumping for Gov. Rick Perry in Maquoketa, Iowa, on Dec. 20, 2011.

Gov. Rick Perry brought one of his most prominent supporters to Iowa on Tuesday, and he quickly proved his worth.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Campaign materials for Gov. Rick Perry at the Johnson County Fall BBQ event in Tiffin, Iowa, where Perry spoke on Oct. 7, 2011.

Your afternoon reading: Jindal stumps for Perry in Iowa; leading social conservative Perry courted endorses Santorum; Perry hits Romney and Gingrich in new ad

Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore

The Republican field remains splintered, but many conservatives have found common ground over their deep concern about one increasingly likely scenario: Ron Paul winning Iowa.

Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore

Your afternoon reading: Democrats grasping for U.S. Senate candidate; Gingrich planning new wave of Iowa ads; parsing Paul's Iowa chances

Enlarge photo by: Ben Philpott

Gov. Rick Perry's bus for his 16-day tour of Iowa

A fresh controversy threatened to knock Rick Perry's Iowa bus tour off course over the weekend.

Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Your afternoon reading: parties agree to April 3 primary date; Perry "retires" early to collect pension pay; state unemployment rate drops

Enlarge photo illustration by: Gage Skidmore

In the last debate of the year, Rick Perry survived, but Ron Paul thrived.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry while leaving the Republican presidential debate at Dartmouth College on Oct. 11, 2011.

Your afternoon reading: Perry ad targets Gingrich, Romney; executions, death sentences drop in Texas; Perry's scandal fixer

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The escalating fight between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney has spawned an unlikely Texas alliance (of sorts).

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Newt Gingrich at a press conference after a debate with Herman Cain in The Woodlands on Nov. 5, 2011.

Your afternoon reading: Perry internals show Gingrich slipping; Paul says he hasn't gone negative; Romney warns against "zany" Gingrich

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

A pointed warning from the Obama administration has heightened the drama surrounding the state's already chaotic redistricting process.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Your afternoon reading: in video, Perry says he has momentum; ESPN commentator Craig James to enter U.S. Senate race; FreedomWorks planning "call day" for Cruz