MEDIA FIREWORKS: MCCAIN PLEADS WITH NY TIMES TO SPIKE STORY  —  Just weeks away from a possible surprise victory in the primaries, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz has been waging a ferocious behind the scenes battle with the NEW YORK TIMES, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned …

Clinton Launches Obama Attack Web Sites  —  Clinton Campaign Registered Names of Two Web Sites to Attack Ill. Senator  —  ABC News has learned that the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has registered the names of two Web sites with the express goal of attacking her chief rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Tancredo drops out, endorses Romney  —  U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo announced today he's ending his long-shot bid for the White House.  —  The Colorado Republican made his exit from the race official at a press conference this afternoon in downtown Des Moines.  He'll throw his support behind GOP candidate Mitt Romney, he said.

Now the Okie Napoleon is banning ‘Christmas’ (UPDATED!)  (AND CONFIRMED)  —  Oklahoma attorney general Drew Edmondson drew national scorn earlier this year when he arrested Paul Jacob of the Sam Adams Alliance and Citizens in Charge, and two colleagues on trumped-up charges that they violated …

Romney fields questions on King  —  Campaign says claim not literal  —  Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has said he watched his father, the late Michigan Gov. George Romney, in a 1960s civil rights march in Michigan with Martin Luther King Jr.

U.S. Senate Report: Over 400 Prominent Scientists Disputed Man-Made Global Warming Claims in 2007  —  Senate Report Debunks “Consensus"  —  Complete U.S. Senate Report Now Available: (LINK)  —  Complete Report without Introduction: (LINK)  —  INTRODUCTION:

Archbishop says nativity ‘a legend’  —  The Archbishop of Canterbury said yesterday that the Christmas story of the Three Wise Men was nothing but a 'legend'.  —  Dr Rowan Williams has claimed there was little evidence that the Magi even existed and there was certainly nothing to prove there were three of them or that they were kings.

Press Conference by the President  —  THE PRESIDENT: Good morning.  I hope you all enjoyed the holiday reception at the White House as much as Laura and I enjoyed it.  We took an inventory of the silverware, and this year only a few pieces were missing — so, like, if you see Gregory, tell him to bring them back.

Obama Says He'd Consider Arnold For His Cabinet  —  ABC's Sunlen Miller Reports: Barack Obama has often said he'd consider putting Repbulicans in his cabinet and even bandied about names like Sens. Dick Lugar and Chuck Hagel.  He's a added a new name to the list of possible Republicans cabinet members - Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Steyn's Accusers Speak  —  Today, the Muslim law students who have lodged a human rights complaint against Maclean's, have published an article defending themselves in Canada's National Post.  They claim to be believers in the marketplace of ideas, merely seeking a chance to respond to Mark Steyn.

Another Iowa Poll Shows Deadlocked Race  —  Political Wire got an advance look at a new Strategic Vision poll in Iowa that also shows the Democratic presidential race in a statistical tie.  Sen. Barack Obama leads with 30%, followed by John Edwards and Sen. Hillary Clinton tied at 27%.

General Barry R McCaffrey Report  —  Adjunct Professor of International Affairs … SUBJECT: After Action Report—General Barry R McCaffrey USA (Ret)  —  VISIT IRAQ AND KUWAIT 5-11 DECEMBER 2007  —  1. PURPOSE: … 2. SOURCES:  —  1.)  ADM William (Fox) Fallon USN …

WHAT IF THIS ELECTION ISN'T ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY?  —  I want to put into conversation two fascinating new pieces of journalism: First, Matt Bai's New York Times Magazine piece on how the legacy of Clintonism is playing out in the Democratic primary, and second, a TPM Election Central interview …