EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 42,543	$ 18,486	$ 90,445	$ 66,457
Discontinued operations	31,482	1,190	74,206	2,203
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 74,025	$ 19,676	$ 164,651	$ 68,660
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	290,170	176,262	289,281	168,369
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options (in shares)	499	487	506	483
Restricted stock awards (in shares)	72	66	68	67
OP units (in shares)	1,851	0	1,856	0
Convertible notes (in shares)	0	1,130	0	1,094
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	292,592	177,945	291,711	170,013
Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.10	$ 0.31	$ 0.40
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.01	$ 0.26	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.11	$ 0.57	$ 0.41
Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.10	$ 0.31	$ 0.39
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.01	$ 0.25	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.11	$ 0.56	$ 0.40