Top Items:
Robert Draper / New York Times:
The Palin Network — On the night of the midterm elections earlier this month, Sarah Palin stayed up until 3 in the morning. From her hotel bedroom in Manhattan, she and her husband, Todd, followed the returns while she wrote e-mails on her iPad — congratulating winners, consoling losers …
Discussion:
Politics Daily, The Daily Dish, The Atlantic Online, ABCNEWS, Ben Smith's Blog, PostPartisan, CNN, The New Republic, ChattahBox News Blog, The Moderate Voice, PalinTV, Guardian, msnbc.com, Hit & Run, Taylor Marsh, Outside the Beltway, palingates, Weigel, The Politico, Salon, Anchorage Daily News, MyFox Philadelphia, The Nation, The Note, Indecision Forever, GOP 12 and USA Today
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Mary Bruce / ABCNEWS:
Sarah Palin Says She Could Beat Obama — In Interview With Barbara Walters, Palin Says She Is Seriously Considering Entering Race in 2012 — Sarah Palin says she is seriously considering a run for the White House, and she believes she could beat President Obama in 2012, the former Alaska governor told ABC News' Barbara Walters.
NY Daily News:
Cupp: Happiness is a Warm Gun (and Sarah Palin) — Sarah Palin gets ready to head up the river in Dillingham, Alaska, in a scene from her new reality show 'Sarah Palin's Alaska.' — This past weekend, I traveled to Chicago to speak at the Conservatives4Palin meetup, where Mama Grizzlies …
Discussion:
Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, theblogprof and Liberty Pundits Blog
Michael O'Brien / The Hill:
Palin: I could beat Obama in 2012
Palin: I could beat Obama in 2012
Discussion:
Weasel Zippers, ABCNEWS and Guardian
Benjamin Weiser / New York Times:
Detainee Acquitted on Most Counts in '98 Bombings — The first former Guantánamo detainee to be tried in a civilian court was acquitted on Wednesday of all but one of more than 280 charges of conspiracy and murder in the 1998 terrorist bombings of the United States Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
RELATED:
Peter Finn / Washington Post:
Ahmed Ghailani, Gitmo detainee, acquitted of all but 1 charge in NY — The first former Guantanamo Bay detainee to be tried in federal criminal court was found guilty on a single conspiracy charge Wednesday but cleared on 284 other counts, a surprise outcome that will seriously undermine …
Discussion:
The Jawa Report, Weasel Zippers, TPMMuckraker and Jihad Watch
The Politico:
Nancy Pelosi survives Democratic revolt — With the worst behind her, Speaker Nancy Pelosi must now find a way to unite a fractured House Democratic Caucus as the party prepares for the 112th Congress. — That may not be so easy. — In a nearly six-hour marathon, closed-door meeting …
Discussion:
The Confluence, The Nation, Ben Smith's Blog, Weigel, Gawker, Weasel Zippers and American Power
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The Politico:
Why Democrats don't dump Nancy Pelosi
Why Democrats don't dump Nancy Pelosi
Discussion:
The Caucus, FiveThirtyEight, The Atlantic Online, CNN, American Thinker and Right Wing News
Brian Montopoli / CBS News:
Nancy Pelosi Elected to Lead House Dems in New Congress; Boehner to Lead GOP
Nancy Pelosi Elected to Lead House Dems in New Congress; Boehner to Lead GOP
Discussion:
msnbc.com, Weasel Zippers, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Fox Nation, Hot Air, Indecision Forever, Queerty and Wake up America
Patrick O'Connor / Wall Street Journal:
Pelosi Elected House Democratic Leader
Pelosi Elected House Democratic Leader
Discussion:
The Gateway Pundit, Another Black Conservative, Patterico's Pontifications and Pajamas Media
Jordy Yager / The Hill:
Leader of TSA offers pat-downs to senators — The head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offered on Wednesday to have airport screeners come to Capitol Hill to give senators a pat-down so they could fully understand the mechanics of the newly deployed, controversial technique.
Discussion:
Liberty Pundits Blog, Hot Air and AmSpecBlog
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Noah Shachtman / Wall Street Journal:
Has Airport Security Gone Too Far?
Has Airport Security Gone Too Far?
Discussion:
Danger Room, Associated Press, Firedoglake, Israel Matzav, Prairie Weather, Left Coast Rebel and CBS News
Joshua Norman / CBS News:
Senators and TSA Defend “Love Pats” at Airports
Senators and TSA Defend “Love Pats” at Airports
Discussion:
Swampland, The Gateway Pundit, Pundit & Pundette and LewRockwell.com Blog
Elise Viebeck / The Hill:
GOP lawmaker: Full-body scanners violate Fourth Amendment
GOP lawmaker: Full-body scanners violate Fourth Amendment
Discussion:
The Gateway Pundit, AMERICAblog News and Pajamas Media
The Smoking Gun:
Man Shoots TV Over Bristol Palin Dancing — Suspect surrendered after 15-hour standoff with Wisconsin cops … Like most Americans, Steven Cowan has been perplexed by Bristol Palin's curious ability to keep advancing in TV's “Dancing with the Stars” competition.
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Reuters:
George Soros Tells Progressive Donors Obama Might Not Be The Best Investment — WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? … WASHINGTON — At a private meeting on Tuesday afternoon, George Soros, a longtime supporter of progressive causes, voiced blunt criticism of the Obama administration …
Discussion:
YID With LID, Mediaite, Weasel Zippers, The Confluence, Hot Air, New York Magazine, National Review and Wake up America
Michael O'Brien / The Hill:
White House backs ‘Four Loko’ ban — The White House on Wednesday threw its support behind a ban on beverages that infuse alcohol and caffeine. — Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske said he welcomed a ruling by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would effectively ban drinks like Four Loko and Joost …
Discussion:
Hit & Run, Washington Post, Balloon Juice, Hot Air, Gawker and New York Magazine
RELATED:
Rob Stein / Washington Post:
FDA, FTC crack down on caffeinated alcoholic drinks
FDA, FTC crack down on caffeinated alcoholic drinks
Discussion:
THEROOT.COM, BlogPost, Guardian, Maryland Politics, The Consumerist and Runnin' Scared
Fhardingj / CNN:
CNN Poll: Only one-third favor tax cut extension for wealthy — Washington (CNN) - Only a third of all Americans think Bush-era tax cuts should be extended for families regardless of how much money they make, according to a new national poll. — A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Wednesday …
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Brian Montopoli / CBS News:
Democrats Press GOP Lawmakers to Turn Down Government Health Care — A group of House Democrats has released a letter to Republican congressional leaders calling on them to announce which of their members will be forgoing their congressional benefit health insurance (which is subsidized by the government) …
Discussion:
The Mahablog
Greg Sargent / The Plum Line:
Yes, DADT repeal could still pass, Senate staffers say — Good news: Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal is not dead yet. — It's widely assumed that the reason the White House and Dems will punt on holding a vote on Don't Ask Don't Tell during the lame duck session is that there aren't 60 votes …
Discussion:
Washington Blade, Wonk Room, AMERICAblog Gay, Pam's House Blend, The Daily Dish, Queerty and Towleroad News #gay
RELATED:
Kerry Eleveld / Advocate:
Gibbs: DADT Still a Priority
Gibbs: DADT Still a Priority
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, CNN, LGBT POV, Wonk Room and AMERICAblog Gay
Howard Kurtz / The Daily Beast:
Roger Ailes Lets Rip — UPDATE: White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that he was not surprised by Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes quotes about President Obama to The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz. “I think if you watch most of the programming on the channel …
Kris Kitto / The Hill:
The speaker who speaks softly — John Boehner doesn't yell. — Unlike other powerful Washington insiders, the soon-to-be-Speaker of the House doesn't berate his staff or colleagues. The Ohio Republican has a management style that is unique, one that will be tested repeatedly in the next Congress.
RELATED:
Jake Sherman / The Politico:
No GOP drama: Unanimous vote for John Boehner
No GOP drama: Unanimous vote for John Boehner
Discussion:
Sunlight Foundation
Molly K. Hooper / The Hill:
Boehner favored as 61st House Speaker on his 61st birthday
Boehner favored as 61st House Speaker on his 61st birthday
Discussion:
Weasel Zippers and Associated Press
Josh Rogin / Foreign Policy:
Lugar rebukes own party for avoiding New START debate, wants to force vote now — In a stunning rebuke to members of his own caucus, Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking Republican Richard Lugar (R-IN) said on Wednesday that the GOP is intentionally trying to put off a vote …
Discussion:
Commentary, democracyarsenal.org, Congress Blog and Wonk Room
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Greg Sargent / The Plum Line:
Obama: GOP successfully outplayed us on health reform — One last nugget from Richard Wolffe's new book on the Obama White House. In an interview with Wolffe, the President seemed to acknowledge that in pursuing bipartisan support for health reform, he and Democrats got snookered …
Discussion:
Hullabaloo and Daily Kos
Politics Daily:
Lisa Murkowski Defeats Joe Miller, Hangs On To Alaska Senate Seat … After more than a week of ballot counting, Sen. Lisa Murkowski has been named the winner in Alaska, defeating tea party favorite Joe Miller and becoming the first Senate candidate in more than 50 years to win a write-in campaign.
Discussion:
Alan Colmes' Liberaland, TPMDC, Hotline On Call and Ballot Box
RELATED:
Aaron Blake / The Fix:
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski wins write-in bid
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski wins write-in bid
Discussion:
Anchorage Daily News, Hot Air and PostPartisan
ThinkProgress:
Senate Republicans Vote Unanimously Against Bill To Help Guarantee Fair Pay For Women — Our guest blogger is Rebecca Lefton, a Researcher with Progressive Media. — Today, Senate Republicans voted unanimously against legislation to close the pay gap between women and men.
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, nwlc.org, Taylor Marsh, Lez Get Real, ECHIDNE of the snakes, Daily Kos and Shakesville
goproud.org:
GOProud on the Willow Palin “Controversy” — For Immediate Release — Statement of Tammy Bruce - Chair of the GOProud Advisory Council — (Los Angeles, CA) - “Willow Palin is a 16 year old girl who, like all 16 year olds is going to make mistakes and say things she shouldn't have.
Discussion:
TMZ.com, Queerty and Joe. My. God.
Aaron Wiener / The Washington Independent:
The Washington Independent, signing off — Nearly three years ago, The Washington Independent was launched as a bold experiment in online journalism. The idea was to combine hard-nosed investigative reporting with all the web had to offer: the nimbleness of real-time coverage …
Discussion:
Weigel, ATTACKERMAN, The Other McCain, Gawker, Oliver Willis and FishbowlDC, more at Mediagazer »
The Huffington Post:
Jobless Benefits About To Lapse As Senate Dems Mull Strategy — WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? … WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats are discussing their strategy for reauthorizing extended unemployment insurance on Tuesday as the expiration date for the jobless aid is fast approaching.
Discussion:
The Washington Independent
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David Dayen / news.firedoglake.com:
Reed, Casey Seek One-Year Extension of Unemployment Benefits
Reed, Casey Seek One-Year Extension of Unemployment Benefits
Discussion:
Washington Post, Comments from Left Field, Open Congress, Reuters and ECHIDNE of the snakes
Jordan Fabian / The Hill:
GOP to force vote on NPR defunding — House Republicans announced Wednesday they plan to force a floor vote on defunding NPR in response to the firing of analyst Juan Williams last month. — House GOP Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (Colo.) said that cutting funds …
Discussion:
Raw Story, Little Green Footballs, The Atlantic Online, Weasel Zippers and Wake up America