AP - A confident Mitt Romney accused President Barack Obama of failing to do enough to create jobs as he campaigned Friday ahead of GOP presidential caucuses this weekend in a state with sky-high unemployment and foreclosure rates. Newt Gingrich, who is fighting for a respectable showing here, rolled out a fresh line of criticism by comparing the former Massachusetts governor to Obama.

Reuters - The United States created jobs at the fastest pace in nine months in January and the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to a near three-year low, giving a boost to President Barack Obama.

Reuters - Detroit automakers are urging President Barack Obama to reject Japan's bid to join talks on a regional free trade agreement, the head of an automotive group representing GM, Ford and Chrysler said on Thursday.

Reuters - Despite the determination of President Obama to take Wall Street to court for the financial crisis, prosecutors face an uphill struggle to win more convictions like the two they scored on Wednesday against former Credit Suisse Group AG mortgage traders.

Reuters - President Barack Obama on Wednesday proposed a multi-billion-dollar package to help U.S. homeowners refinance and stave off foreclosure, part of an election-year push that is likely to face an uphill battle by the Republican opposition in Congress.

AP - Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney renewed his support Wednesday for automatic increases in the federal minimum wage to keep pace with inflation, a position sharply at odds with traditional GOP business allies, conservatives and the party's senior lawmakers.

AP - House Republicans plan legislation granting small businesses — and potentially nearly every company in the country — a 20 percent income tax deduction, a GOP leader said Wednesday as the party stepped up its election-year competition with President Barack Obama over job creation.

ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY | Gracing the Washington Auto Show with his presence Tuesday, President Barack Obama hailed his administration's efforts in reigniting the U.S. auto industry, while at the same time railing against his political adversaries who were "willing to let the industry die." As the U.S. auto manufacturing industry continues to heal, Obama is employing the government bailout of General Motors and Chrysler as a campaigning tool to court the American electorate.

AP - Republicans voting Tuesday in Florida's presidential primary expressed pain from their state's weak economy and housing foreclosure crisis and divisions over what to do about illegal immigration, according to early results from an exit poll of voters.

Reuters - Midwestern lawmakers and union groups on Tuesday urged President Barack Obama to restrict imports of auto parts from China that they said benefited from massive illegal subsidies and threatened hundreds of thousands of American jobs.

ContributorNetwork - In the market for a new car? Perhaps you'd like something presidential.

AP - President Barack Obama on Tuesday hailed the rebound of the U.S. auto industry, trumpeting an economic story he hopes to use to his political advantage in key Rust Belt states such as Michigan and Ohio. In a not-so-veiled shot at Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, Obama said it was worth remembering that there were some leaders "willing to let this industry die."

AP - Federal and state law enforcement officials announced Friday they have launched a fraud-fighting unit, starting with 55 prosecutors and investigators, to root out wrongdoing in the market for residential mortgage-backed securities.

AP - President Barack Obama wants to make it easier to size up the cost of college.

AP - Rick Santorum is tired, trailing — and going home.

AP - The Obama administration said Friday that will expand its signature foreclosure-prevention program to try to help those with heavy debt loads avoid losing their homes.

AP - Why do Mitt Romney and other wealthy investors pay lower taxes on the income they make from investments than they would if they earned their millions from wages? Because Congress, through the tax code, has long treated investment more favorably than labor, seeing it as an engine for economic growth that benefits everyone.

AP - Rivals Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney are trading barbs over their income from mortgage firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

AP - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich beat his main GOP presidential rival, Mitt Romney, to the punch by releasing his most recent tax return. But Gingrich still hasn't revealed how he earned most of his $3.1 million.

AP - President Barack Obama is courting Hispanics in politically important states, setting himself up as a champion of the crucial Latino voting bloc and as a foil to Republican candidates fighting for a share of support from the same groups.

AP - A Michigan factory that made luxury yachts before the recession and diversified to add wind energy products when times got tough was touted by President Barack Obama at his State of the Union Address as an example of an industry creating forward-thinking jobs — with a little help from the government.

AP - At Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, the conversation often centers on real estate. Once taboo details — home values and what people paid for their properties — are casually discussed, and there appears to be little shame in walking away from a mortgage or fighting the bank on a foreclosure.

AP - Why do Mitt Romney and other wealthy investors pay lower taxes on the income they make from investments than they would if they earned their millions from wages? Because Congress, through the tax code, has long treated investment more favorably than labor, seeing it as an engine for economic growth that benefits everyone.

AP - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich beat his main GOP presidential rival, Mitt Romney, to the punch by releasing his most recent tax return. But Gingrich still hasn't revealed how he earned most of his $3.1 million.