In 2008, even though many college-aged Americans weren't old enough to drink (legally), they were old enough to vote, and they turned out in record numbers to help elect Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States. In 2012, those students, and members of the so-called Millennial generation, might not be such a big help to the incumbent President.

There are no precise dates, but a "Millennial" is generally thought of as an American born between the late 1970's and the mid 1990's.

36% of Millennials now think President Obama is going to lose in his re-election bid, while just 30% think he will win, according to a new national poll by Harvard's Institute of Politics. 32% of the 18-29 set aren't sure how Obama will do. The sentiment is shared by those still on college campuses, where 37% of students predict an Obama loss in 2012, 31% think he'll win, and 31% don't know. (read more)

After being shaken by an earthquake and stirred by a hurricane in the last few weeks, it was a crane accident that finally forced the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. to move its 9/11 commemoration events elsewhere.

Sunday, September 11th's "Concert for Hope," will still be attended by President Obama, but he will speak and take in performances by Alan Jackson and Patti LaBelle at a different venue: the Kennedy Center. Friday's "A Concert to Honor" will take place at the Kennedy Center as well, but will still feature Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, as well as the Marine Chamber Orchestra, and the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters.

The National Cathedral was forced to shut its doors after an earthquake in Mineral, VA caused minor structural damage August 23. Further damage was feared, but avoided, when Hurricane Irene blew through town just last week. And the crane that fell over on the National Cathedral's grounds was in place to stabilize debris that came loose during the earthquake. The accident damaged the gift shop on the grounds, as well as the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, but the Cathedral itself did not suffer a direct hit. The crane's operator was hurt, but has been released from the hospital. (read more)

A few weeks ago, Herman Cain said he wouldn't want any Muslims in his cabinet. Now, he's saying sorry.

The Republican presidential candidate held court Wednesday with a small group of Muslims at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center in Sterling, Virginia. He apologized for his previous comments critical of the Islamic faith, but he refrained from taking anything back.

"While I stand by my opposition to the interference of Sharia law into the American legal system, I remain humble and contrite for any statements I have made that might have caused offense to Muslim Americans and their friends," said Cain.

"I am truly sorry for any comments that may have betrayed my commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of religion guaranteed by it. Muslims, like all Americans, have the right to practice their faith freely and peacefully."

Sharia law became an issue in the Cain campaign after his most recent appearance on FOX News Sunday, where he enthusiastically supported the residents of Murfreesboro, Tenn. who are trying to prevent a large Mosque's construction in their town. (read more)

A charge of illegal political advocacy is now in pending before an Iowa ethics officer who'll determine if there's enough evidence to pursue a case against Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz.

Iowa Democrats allege that Schultz, a Republican, was going beyond the duties of his office when he released a statement titled: "Huntsman Not Ready for the Big Dance." In it, Schultz theorizes on possible GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman's motives for skipping the upcoming Iowa Caucus, as has been widely reported.

"Is Jon Huntsman not coming to Iowa because he opposes ethanol subsidies or because he is afraid to explain his positions on other issues," Schultz wondered in his statement. While he criticizes the former Utah governor's anticipated absence, the press release seems less concerned with attacking the presumed candidate and more focused on making sure Iowa remains relevant. "After all," Schultz writes, "our last two presidents won the Iowa Caucus before they went to the White House." (read more)

Things might not be looking so good for President Obama in 2012, according to one of Washington's most liberal lawmakers. Senator Al Franken D-Minn., forecast a potentially gloomy outcome for his party's first-term president during a hearing about FBI director Robert Mueller, and the former comedian wasn't kidding.

"I should note, President Obama could nominate a new director that would be there for ten years," Franken explained. "In two years, he may not be the President. So I think that bears just a mention."

The 2012 presidential field is still forming and President Obama has not started a full campaign schedule. But with Obama's latest approval rating at 47 percent in a nationwide Gallup poll Franken's comments could show the president does not have the full confidence of all Democrats in Congress when it comes to winning a second term.

Franken's comments came at a Senate Judiciary committee hearing about possibly granting President Obama's wish for FBI Director Robert Mueller to continue at that job for another two years. The law currently prohibits FBI directors from serving more than 10 years, and without an exemption, the clock will run out on Mueller September 4. (read more)

The FCC appears to have coordinated its public message regarding 'net neutrality' with Free Press, a left wing non-profit organization seeking to reform the media, according to e-mails released Thursday.

Supporters of 'net neutrality', like Free Press, think equal access to the internet is a "civil right" and that service providers should be prohibited from charging certain prices for certain speeds. When providers have this kind of control, they say, customers in weaker coverage areas get stuck with weaker service. Opponents of 'net neutrality' say that if service is regulated in this way then content will soon be regulated as well.

In April 2010, a federal appeals court ruled that the FCC did not have any authority to regulate the internet in this way, however the government agency voted to move forward with its 'net neutrality' program in December, just a few months later.

On its website, the Federal Communications Commission lists among its goals: "promoting competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities," something impossible under 'net neutrality' rules. (read more)

Mitt Romney hasn't even made his presidential candidacy official, but he's already the target of an attack ad funded by a former White House aide's new group.

Obviously aware of the former Massachusetts Governor's schedule, Priorities USA Action has released a TV commercial highly critical of Romney's position on Medicare, just as the Republican presidential hopeful makes his first visit 2012 campaign visit to South Carolina. Bill Burton, a former deputy press secretary for the Obama administration, is a founder of the group.

The black and white ad seeks to highlight Romney's perceived history of changing his mind about health care by aligning a variety of his past statements with those of three other prominent republicans: former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. (read more)

FOX News is hosting the first 2012 presidential debate in one of the first primary states Thursday night in Greenville, S.C. Five of the men trying to become the next Republican nominee will do their best to be considered the GOP frontrunner, taking questions on everything from a weak economy to the greatest foreign policy threat. Here's your debate cheat sheet.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (read more)

"Representing the People, Not the Powerful." Sounds sort of like a campaign slogan, but it's not. It's the motto of Morgan & Morgan, the personal injury law firm that now employs former Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

"If you need help sorting out your legal issues as the result of an accident or insurance dispute, visit me," the former governor says in a new TV advertisement that identifies him on-screen as "Attorney Charlie Crist."

The firm has offices throughout Florida, in addition to locations in Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee. Their website's homepage is currently displaying a large photo of Crist standing beside his new boss, John Morgan.

"It's really such a natural transition for me; to be with Morgan & Morgan and work with my dear friend John Morgan," Crist explains on the site. "He really is all about the people. That's what I've always tried to do and aspire to do as a public servant. Now I'll do it in the private sector." (read more)

In early 2010, liberal radio network Air America went out of business. In mid-2011, one of its former hosts seems to be spending some of her time heckling Rep. Allen West R-Fla.

The Palm Beach Post reports former Air America hostess Nicole Sandler was escorted from a Florida town hall meeting for relentlessly harassing West and his wife. While she was being led away, hundreds of men and women cheered loudly and the woman was promptly arrested.

At least one other heckler was removed from the 500 person crowd, according to blogger Javier Manjarres, who made video of the incident available on his blog, The Shark Tank.

"Get your hands off of me!" the woman in the video who appears to be Sandler, shouted to law enforcement officials, moments before being handcuffed. When asked, the arresting officer appears to tell another man that she is being cuffed for "trespassing after a warning."

In the midst of all the excitement and interruptions, Rep. West did not lose focus. "You're not going to intimidate me," he cracked back at his hecklers. (read more)