Just a few months ago, Newt Gingrich's campaign was considered all but dead. Most experts agreed that the former House speaker didn't stand a chance after his entire staff walked out on him. But ever since Gingrich began running his own campaign, he's been able to turn things around.  Gingrich currently stands at the top of nearly every major GOP poll.  Gingrich paid a courtesy call on Monday to real estate mogul Donald Trump – a figure who has served as a kingmaker of sorts in this Republican primary race.

Carol Costello talks with former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer and Republican strategist John Mclaughlin about Trump's influence influence within today's GOP.

Senate Democrats on Monday offered a new proposal to extend the payroll tax cut before it expires at the end of the year.   Last week, Senate Republicans blocked progress on a Democratic plan that would assess a surtax of 3.25% on income over $1 million.  The new proposal sponsored by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, contains a reduced version of that tax provision, down to 1.9%, and calls for it to expire after 10 years.  President Obama urged lawmakers to find common ground before time runs out.

Today on American Morning, Sen. Casey explains to Alina Co why Republicans need to get on board with his latest payroll tax cut plan.

With exactly one month to go before the Iowa caucuses, New Gingrich is emerging as the frontrunner in the Hawkeye state. A victory  in Iowa could give the former speaker a big boast in the next state to hold an election, New Hampshire, where he polls show him closing in on Mitt Romney.  However, some are wondering whether Gingrich has the necessary ground operations and fundraising capability to survive a protracted primary battle.

Alina Cho talks with Kay Henderson, news director of Radio Iowa, to discuss Gingrich's campaign infrastructure in Hawkeye state.

With a month to go until Iowans select a candidate for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has extended his lead in the state.  A new poll from the Des Moines Register finds 25% of likely Republican voters in Iowa backing Gingrich.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul stands in  second place with 18% and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney comes in third with 16% of the vote.  The latest poll marks a dramatic rise for Gingrich, who just a month ago was polling in fourth place in the Hawkeye State.

Alina Cho talks with CNN contributor John Avlon about why Gingrich is surging in the Iowa polls – and what Romney has to do to thwart his opponents' momentum.

Dogged in recent weeks by allegations of sexual harassment and an affair, Herman Cain announced Saturday that he is suspending his campaign. While he will still be able to raise and spend campaign funds because he did not officially drop out, Cain's White House bid is effectively over.

The other GOP candidates are eager to draw in Cain's supporters, and the Georgia businessman said that he will endorse one of the Republican presidential hopefuls soon.

Christine Romans talks with Karen Hanretty, Republican strategist, and Jim Geraghty, National Review Online columnist, about what's next for Cain and which GOP candidate is likely to get his endorsement.