CONCORD N.H. -- Texas Governor Rick Perry has taken a beating in the polls and was recently lampooned by pundits for his stumbling debate performances but he is continuing to push his run for the presidency forward, officially signing up for New Hampshire's primary Friday.

A constant flicker of media camera lights captured the moment as Perry inked the paperwork. Moments later he took questions from the assembled press.

"There's just great history in this first-in-the-nation primary and it's a tradition that I certainly respect. I'm very honored to be a part of it and I'm excited to bring my conservative message to the Granite State," said Perry.

Perry took a lighthearted approach when asked about his campaign's suggestion that he would skip future debates to focus on campaigning.

"I don't know whether or not we're going to forego any debates or not. You know, there's going to be a lot of debates. Shoot, I may get to be a good debater before this is all over with," Perry joked.

At Perry's campaign headquarters in Manchester volunteers are prepping hundreds of lawn signs and preparing to do more retail politicking on the ground. (read more)

The victory of Democrat Kathy Hochul over Republican Jane Corwin and third party challenger Jack Davis in New York's 26th congressional district has intensified the debate over Medicare reform and how much of an impact Republican plans for an overhaul will have when voters head to the polls in 2012.

Congresswoman-elect Hochul made Medicare a central issue in the election. Her campaign released attack ads warning that Corwin's support of the Paul Ryan budget plan and efforts to change Medicare would cost seniors.

Frustrated by what she called "lies and distortions" of her position, Corwin struggled to convey how her efforts in the U.S. Capitol would aim to save the program.

At one point during Hochul's victory address the elated crowd broke into chants of "Medicare! Medicare!"

Hochul thanked supporters who packed inside a United Auto Workers hall in Amherst, New York to await election results and hear her speak. She thanked the people who crossed the aisle to vote for her in a district dominated by Republicans and argued the budget could be balanced without hurting seniors by closing corporate loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas, ending government handouts to big oil and making millionaires and billionaires pay "their fair share."

"We can do all that and not decimate Medicare," said Hochul.

The national response to Hochul's win has been swift as political heavy weights and activists offer spin from both sides of the aisle. (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)

In the coming weeks, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., will introduce new legislation that calls on the Veterans Affairs Department to be more proactive in informing and providing veterans with the services they're entitled to receive.

The legislation is called the Pro-Vets Act and would require the VA to offer each service member a thorough assessment of benefits and the materials they need to apply. Service members leaving the military would be automatically enrolled in VA health care. Gillibrand's office says that even though they are eligible for up to five years of free care, many never claim the benefit.

The senator is also calling for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which offers incentives to companies that hire veterans, to become permanent. Gillibrand is pushing for businesses to be permitted to write off 40 percent of the first $6,000 paid to returning troops. (read more)

Donald Trump made his second visit to New Hampshire Wednesday, giving the keynote address at the annual Business Expo hosted by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce. Event organizers said it was the first time the event had sold out in just five hours.

Speaking before an audience packed with entrepreneurs and small business owners, Trump described himself as "anti-establishment," set apart from Washington Republicans because "I'm not in that club."

Trump praised the recent death of the world's most wanted terrorist.

"We had a great victory last week with the killing of Bin Laden. That was great," said Trump who then weighed in on the use of enhanced interrogation techniques. "We're so politically correct and nobody wants to say it. Nobody ever wants to use the word. Isn't another word for that torture? And you know what? The people that I watched jump off the World Trade Center. That was torture. So we catch this guy. They shoot him. Then they clean his body. They give him a religious ceremony. They take 45 minutes... why? I don't understand it."

"In terms of torture. In terms of enhanced interrogation we wouldn't have caught Bin Laden without it. That's what got us to him," said Trump.

Trump promised the reelection of President Obama would result in higher taxes. He argued America needs to negotiate tougher terms with the leaders of OPEC and China. He said the brightest in the business and investment community would do a better job than a diplomat. (read more)

As the country limps out of a recession, American families are still suffering, battling back from unemployment and facing higher gas prices. It's a political problem for President Obama, whose re-election efforts are underway, and an opportunity for Republicans to gain ground with frustrated voters as the campaign season begins to heat up.

Friday's Presidential "Summit on Spending and Job Creation," hosted by the New Hampshire chapter of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, an advocacy group fighting for lower taxes and limited government, will give five Republican White House hopefuls the opportunity to offer their own vision for economic recovery. State Director Corey Lewandowski calls the gathering -- the first big event drawing so many potential GOP candidates -- a "kick-off" ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation primary.

Featured speakers include: Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and businessman Herman Cain.

Local Tea Party activist Ovide Lamontagne will be honored as "Conservative of the Year" at a dinner held prior to the event. He says Republican candidates must clearly define a new way forward in America. (read more)

If you have never heard of Gary Johnson you are not alone. He may not have strong name recognition nationwide but that is not stopping the former Republican Governor of New Mexico from kicking off a run for the White House, despite the likelihood he'll face a crowded and well-funded field of competitors.

Unlike many better-known GOP hopefuls, Johnson, 58, is skipping the exploratory stage and throttling into the 2012 race, announcing his intentions today in Concord, New Hampshire, hoping his libertarian credentials will appeal to voters in a state where "Live Free or Die" is more mantra than motto.

"My entire life I have watched government spend more than what it takes in and I just always thought there would be a day of reckoning with regard to that spending and I think that day of reckoning is here," said Johnson. (read more)

Republican John Kasich has won the hard fought battle for the governor's seat in Ohio, defeating incumbent Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

A roaring crowd of party faithful greeted Governor-elect Kasich as he hit the stage telling his supporters that "hope always triumphs over fear."

The GOP swept a number of races in the state- holding a US Senate seat and making gains in the US House- but winning the governor's office is of critical importance as redistricting efforts get underway. 

Kasich said "winning is not the issue here. It's remembering what we promised" as he urged his supports to stick together and remain a team.

President Obama paid a dozen visits to the state prior to election day, stumping for Strickland and other endangered Democrats.

Former President Clinton and Vice President Biden also invested in the races, attending rallies and shaking hands. 

Despite the extensive efforts the Democrats have now lost a key ally in Ohio's capitol and he has been replaced by a new leader who disagrees with many of President Obama's key initiatives. Kasich could make the president's reelection efforts in this key swing state more difficult, opposing Obama administration policies with the help of a state legislature that is also dominated by Republicans.

Ohio US Senator-elect Republican Rob Portman took to the stage and declared "hope and common sense triumphed" after defeating Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher for the seat now held by retiring Republican Sen. George Voinovich.

Thanking his wife, supporters and voters the former congressman said he would work with Republicans and Democrats to solve the serious problems facing the state and the country.

He promised to go to Washington and fight for the simple principles of "private enterprise, personal responsibility and limited government."

If given the chance, Portman vowed to repeal the recent health care reforms and to fight cap and trade legislation. He said today marks "the opportunity for all of us to change direction" and bring back growth and jobs. 

Portman served under former President George W. Bush as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Tonight he promised to work to simplify the tax code for small businesses, reign in spending and reduce debt.

"Like most victories this one came through teamwork," said Portman.

Word from the Strickland camp is that they are still watching the numbers and it is "too early" to tell much. The Kasich camp says they are "cautiously optimistic."

Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine says "I expect this to be a good night for Republican candidates."

DeWine says this election is about people who care about big debts and big deficits.

"The people who are getting elected tonight are going to seek to change that here and in Washington," said DeWine.