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 Associate Jayce Henderson

PRESIDENT OBAMA: The New York Daily News' Alison Gendar: " GOP wanted to take me down, not fix country's problems: Obama" Republicans were willing to let the economy tank while they focused on their main goal-taking back the White House, President Obama said in a television interview. LINK

NEWT GINGRICH: The New York Times' William Broad: " Among Gingrich's Passions, a Doomsday Vision" Newt Gingrich, the Republican presidential hopeful, wants you to know that as commander in chief he is ready to confront one of the most nightmarish of doomsday scenarios: a nuclear blast high above the United States that would instantly throw the nation into a dark age. LINK

The Washington Times' Luke Rosiak: " Gingrich awakens opposing super PACs" When Mitt Romney's backers started a super PAC, it seemed they had hoped to hold their fire until the general election. But Newt Gingrich may have shaken both Romney and Obama strategists' assurance that the former Massachusetts governor will make it that far. LINK

USA Today's Jackie Kucinich: " Gingrich slammed his '96 rival on child labor" Before Newt Gingrich questioned the validity of child labor laws, he used them to attack an opponent. Former House speaker Gingrich last month described some child labor laws as "stupid" and argued that low-income children would learn critical values by working at a younger age. LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Brody Mullins and Patrick O'Connor: " A Big Play for Bigger Donors" Newt Gingrich's rise to the front of the Republican presidential field is all the more surprising because he has done it without a national network of large-dollar fund-raisers or an army of elected officials touting his candidacy. LINK

The Boston Globe's Michael Levenson: " Gingrich hastens to build a network" While Newt Gingrich's chief rival, Mitt Romney, has spent months methodically building campaign operations in the early primary states, Gingrich, buoyed by his sudden rise in the polls, has only recently acquired the kind of money and support that will allow him to compete on the ground. LINK

MITT ROMNEY: ABC News' Emily Friedman: " Back in New Hampshire, Romney Strays From Debate Night Bet" Mitt Romney is not doubling down on his $10,000 bet. Asked about the proposal he offered to Texas Gov. Rick Perry during Saturday night's debate - a $10,000 pay off if Romney proved he hadn't suggested a universal health care mandate would be suitable on a federal level in his book "No Apology" - Romney joked that his wife, Ann, was less than impressed with his bargaining skills. LINK

The Los Angeles Time' s Maeve Reston: " Under fire for bet, Mitt Romney recalls more austere times" Reporting from Hudson, N.H.- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has faced criticism over the years for being too guarded and impersonal on the campaign trail. LINK

Politico's Reid Epstein: " Mitt Romney begins humanizing campaign" Meet Mitt Romney, human. In the last 24 hours, the former Massachusetts governor has talked about his father, experiences while working as a missionary that weren't even in his memoir - and twice in two days, he's brought up the Mormon faith that he's until now largely steered clear of. LINK

IOWA CAUCUSES: The Washington Post's Dan Balz: " Iowa caucuses are still first, but are they no longer foremost?" DES MOINES - Four years ago, Iowa was awash in presidential candidates crisscrossing the state. Campaign headquarters were packed with staffers and volunteers. The airwaves were clogged with political commercials. Excitement was palpable. Today, everything seems different. LINK

DEMOCRATS: The Hill's Cameron Joseph: " Political winds shift to Democrats" The political winds have shifted to the Democrats' backs over the last month. President Obama is in better shape at the prospect of a prolonged GOP primary battle between former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Mitt Romney. Democrats in the House have been buoyed by a series of court decisions on redistricting and Senate Democrats have recently landed potentially strong recruits in conservative-leaning states. LINK

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