The ten most popular Fix posts of 2011

What readers found most interesting, most important or just most irresistible on The Fix in 2011, from President Obama’s bad poll numbers to Ron Paul’s surprising Iowa success.

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Opposition to Obama grows — strongly

When this post was written in early October, four in 10 Americans “strongly” disapproved of how President Obama was handling his job. Recent polls suggest his numbers are recovering.

Pete Souza / THE WHITE HOUSE

Sarah Palin’s tipping point

In April, we wrote that former Alaska governor Sarah Palin appeared to have peaked politically. She announced in October that she would not run for president.

Stephan Savoia / AP

Help analyze the Palin emails

In June, we asked readers for help sorting through thousands of just-released emails sent and received by Palin during her tenure as governor.

BRIAN WALLACE / AP

In January, President Obama <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/white-house/white-house-picks-tk-as-new-pr.html'>picked former journalist Jay Carney</a> to replace press secretary Robert Gibbs.

White House picks Jay Carney as new press secretary

In January, President Obama picked former journalist Jay Carney to replace press secretary Robert Gibbs.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Iowa Republican debate: Winners and losers

There were no major moments in the last Republican debate of the year, but many of you tuned in anyway.

Chris Carlson / AP

In August, we wrote about Texas Rep. Ron Paul’s <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/could-ron-paul-wins-the-ames-straw-poll/2011/08/12/gIQA4wn5AJ_blog.html'>surprisingly strong support in Iowa</a>. While he didn’t win the Ames straw poll, he’s now <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/can-ron-paul-win-iowa-yup/2011/12/19/gIQAjzEc4O_blog.html'>got a good shot at actually winning</a> the caucuses.

Ron Paul could be surprise victor in Ames Straw Poll

In August, we wrote about Texas Rep. Ron Paul’s surprisingly strong support in Iowa. While he didn’t win the Ames straw poll, he’s now got a good shot at actually winning the caucuses.

Cheryl Senter / AP

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich’s campaign <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/gingrich-senior-aides-resign/2011/06/09/AGN77VNH_blog.html'>was left for dead in June</a>, when his entire senior staff quit en masse. This story (just like Gingrich himself) got a second life months later by being <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/newtgingrichcom-occupied/2011/12/21/gIQAAZBZ9O_blog.html'>featured on a website</a> attacking the candidate.

Gingrich presidential campaign implodes

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich’s campaign was left for dead in June, when his entire senior staff quit en masse. This story (just like Gingrich himself) got a second life months later by being featured on a website attacking the candidate.

Eric Gay / AP

The power of political images

We discussed President Obama’s dilemma over whether or not to release an image of Osama bin Laden’s death. The White House ultimately decided not to release the picture — though fake photos like the one above circulated online and on television around world.

SABAH ARAR / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Wisconsin recall elections: Results live blog

We blogged late into the night as Wisconsites weighed whether to recall Republican state senators who voted to end collective bargaining for public employees. In the end, Democrats and their allies recalled two Republicans but fell one seat short of taking over the state senate.

Steve Apps / AP

American public to Congress: Get out. All of you.

In mid-December, we wrote about the political landmines incumbents face going into 2012. Will voters’ mood towards Congress change at all? We’ll find out next year.

Andrew Harrer / BLOOMBERG

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

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