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by Frank James

A quick guided tour of some of the most important, most interesting, or both, Washington-related stories.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared to be setting the stage for a defeat in New Hampshire

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, saying that Sen. John McCain had won the Republican primary handily in that state eight years ago and had a great in-state network. But Romney seemed bent on underplaying the great investment he made in the state and the advantages he had as the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts.

As Sen. Barack Obama’s maintained momentum and a double-digit lead in the polls with New Hampshire voters, Sen. Hillary Clinton drew attention for a rare public display of emotion at one campaign stop, then lit into her Illinois rival for the Democratic nomination at another, later appearance, seeking to contrast her experience with his.

The campaigns were looking beyond New Hampshire as they sensed that Super Tuesday on Feb. 5 when numerous states, including New York and California, hold their primaries would be the critical day that decides the nominations. U.S. and Iraqi military forces began a joint operation in Iraq to strike against al Qaeda strongholds as al Qaeda tried to regroup after being hurt by the surge.

New Sunni leaders, including some ex-Baathists, are gaining in influence in Iraq, pushing aside more established ones, which has led the U.S. military to form alliances with them.

President Bush, during a Chicago visit, said the economy faced “challenges” but stopped short of saying it was headed into recession. Meanwhile, there’s likely to be disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over what sort of tax cuts to enact to lift the ailing economy with Bush and Republicans favoring broader cuts and Democrats preferring more targeted ones.

Federal officials plan to crackdown on Medicare fraud, especially by unscrupulous individuals who either provide durable equipment patients don’t need or no equipment at all.

A growing number of troops have admitted their homosexuality to their comrades and commanders but haven’t been dischaged under the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell.

Numerous interest groups have flocked to New Hampshire where the candidates and the national media are to promote their causes, often using gimmicks, like the “ostrich mobile” and people wearing ostrich outfits to highlight the need for Social Security reform.