The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News Digital News Associates Jayce Henderson, Jacqueline Fernandez and Amanda VanAllen

PRESIDENT OBAMA: The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “ President Obama’s base of support remains solid heading into 2012” Everyone knows that President Obama has a problem with his political base heading into 2012. Except that he doesn’t. One of the most persistent story lines for the president has been that the liberal left has grown increasingly dissatisfied with his actions (or inaction) on some of its priorities — including single-payer health insurance, the extension of the George W. Bush tax cuts and whether to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. LINK

MITT ROMNEY: The New York Times’ Ashley Parker and Michael Barbaro: “ Ayotte Backing Signals Conservative Support for Romney” Mitt Romney collected the backing of the freshman Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire on Sunday, a coveted endorsement from a conservative Republican and rising star in state politics, amid growing signs that leaders from the party’s right wing are making peace with the possibility of Mr. Romney as their nominee. LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Patrick O’ Connor and Elizabeth Williamson: “ Romney Bets Big on New Hampshire” Mitt Romney watched his double-digit lead here disappear in the final weeks four years ago, landing him in second place in the Republican presidential primary. Now, with Newt Gingrich’s candidacy showing new signs of life, Mr. Romney is working to avoid a similar collapse. LINK

NEWT GINGRICH: The Hills’ Justin Sink: “ Poll: Gingrich leads GOP field, voters don’t mind Freddie Mac ties” Questions about a multi-million dollar consulting contract with troubled mortgage giant Freddie Mac seem to have done little to hamper Newt Gingrich’s surge within the Republican field, with a new national Reuters/Ipsos poll showing the former House speaker leading the GOP presidential contest. Nearly a quarter – 24 percent – of Republican voters chose Gingrich as their top candidate, versus 22 percent for Mitt Romney, who has fallen 6 percentage points since the poll was taken last month.  LINK

The New York Daily News: “ Newt Gingrich defends million-dollar contracts with Freddie Mac” Rising in polls and receiving greater scrutiny, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich found himself on the defensive Wednesday over huge payments he received over the past decade from the mortgage giant Freddie Mac. Gingrich, who now is near the top in polling on the GOP race, said he didn’t remember exactly how much he was paid, but a person familiar with the hiring said it was at least $1.6 million for consulting contracts stretching from 1999 to early 2008. LINK

MICHELE BACHMANN: ABC News’ Russell Goldman: “ Bachmann Says ‘Pentagon Should Prepare a War Plan’ for Iran” The “Pentagon should prepare a war plan” to handle an ascendant Iran in possession of a nuclear weapon, GOP contender Michele Bachmann said today, at a dinner hosted by a pro-Israel group in New York City. Bachmann stopped short of advocating for a pre-emptive strike on Iran by Israel or the United States, saying “only a fool wishes for war,” but advocated for a naval blockade of Iranian ports, increased intelligence operations against Iran and “crushing economic sanctions.” LINK

GOP / IOWA: The Washington Times’ Ralph Hallow: “ New rules turn GOP race from sprint into marathon” In 2008, the GOP presidential nomination battle was effectively over by February, when the revived campaign of Sen. John McCain triumphed over the moneyed war machine of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Douglas Belkin and Patrick O’ Connor:” Iowa Ho-Hum on GOP Field” After Bible study last week, members of Victory Baptist Church set aside the book of Ephesians and ticked through what disappoints them about the Republican presidential field: Mitt Romney’s faith; Ron Paul’s policies on Iran; and Newt Gingrich’s admitted adultery. LINK

Politico’s Alexander Burns: “ GOP field readies spending spree” For the few Republican presidential candidates who actually have money to spend, the time to use it is running short. With less than seven weeks remaining until the Iowa caucuses, that means GOP presidential hopefuls with real cash on hand are about to unleash a torrent of spending — finally hitting the airwaves with television ads, putting out a steady flood of campaign mail and revving up their paid organizing efforts. LINK

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