Nashville, Tenn. -- Newt Gingrich said there are "profound reasons" why Rick Santorum lost his re-election bid in 2006, painting a picture of a two-term senator who took positions that would make it "hard for him to carry that all the way to the general."

"He voted for the unions over FedEx," Gingrich told a luncheon of supporters. "I suspect most folks in this state don't know that. But in fact, he was a big labor Republican in Pennsylvania and I suspect when you get to Memphis and you say this is a guy who wanted to guarantee that FedEx gave into the unions, Santorum won't be as popular the following morning."

Recent polling indicates Gingrich is in fourth place here in Tennessee, which is one of the Southern states the candidate is relying on to restore momentum in his campaign. Gingrich said he believes he can do better in this state than the polls indicate, and predicted that after the results in Michigan and Arizona Tuesday, the contest for the Republican nomination will "redefine itself once again."

"We have now outlasted Pawlenty, Bachmann, Trump, Perry, Cain twice," Gingrich told the crowd - emphasizing the ability of his candidacy to outlast the others. He said Santorum is currently enjoying the "national news media momentum" because he "went to three states nobody else was in." (read more)

Republicans are going to work off the budget the House GOP passed last year to come up with its proposals for the next fiscal year budget, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan said Sunday, adding that the GOP is "not backing off of any of our ideas, any of our solutions."

Ryan, R-Wis., speaking on "Fox News Sunday," said the budget isn't written yet, and won't be ready until March, when bean counters have the "base line," or current budget figures used as the template for budgeting.

"I and my members of the Budget Committee will write this budget in March and then we're going to bring it to the floor. We think we owe the country actual solutions based upon our founding principles to get this country on the right track," Ryan said.

The budget passed by the GOP last year called for $5.8 trillion in spending cuts by 2021, eliminating $800 billion in tax increases by repealing President Obama's health care plan, eliminating deductions on tax returns while setting a top tax rate both for individuals and businesses of 25 percent and reforming entitlements like Medicare.  It passed the GOP-led House, but died in the Democratic-led Senate. (read more)

So Rep. Joe Heck, do you still think social security is a "pyramid scheme?"

It's a question the freshman Republican congressman from Nevada and his communications team desperately tried to avoid Wednesday night during a town hall meeting that was meant only to discuss veterans' Affairs issues in Henderson, Nevada.

The question didn't come immediately, but one veteran in attendance questioned Heck's support of the entitlement program altogether.

"I just want to know, where do you stand on protecting our benefits as far as social security, for those who will need it and those who are getting it now, and Medicare, sir?" asked the veteran, who served 14 years in the Air Force.

"The fact is, I'm committed to preserving both benefits," said the Nevada lawmaker. "But for future generations, there may need to be changes for long-term sustainability." (read more)

The race for Congress in New York's 26th District, a traditionally conservative part of the state, is shockingly close. Democrat Kathy Hochul is surging in the polls by attacking Republican State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin for her support of Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed overhaul of Medicare, arguing the approach will hurt seniors.

"My opponent has said that she would have voted for the Ryan budget had she been in Washington. Those are her words, not mine, so you can check the record," said Hochul.

Medicare coverage is a central theme in the battle. Corwin, a millionaire businesswoman, has fired back alleging that it's Hochul, the Erie County Clerk, who plans to slash funding for Medicare and Social Security.

"There have been a lot of lies and distortions about what my position on Medicare is, and it scares seniors quite frankly and I'm shocked and appalled by that. And I think it's important seniors understand that I'm trying to save the program," said Corwin in the waning hours of the campaign. "I want to protect it for them and for future generations."

Third party candidate and multimillionaire, Jack Davis, has tried to claim the Tea Party moniker. Trailing distantly in the polls, Davis still resents implications he could cost Corwin the election.

"They're taking votes from me. I'm not taking them from them, alright," he said. (read more)