Obama, GOP in quiet talks to extend tax cuts  —  The White House and congressional Republicans have begun working behind the scenes toward a broad deal that would prevent taxes from going up for virtually every U.S. family and authorize billions of dollars in fresh spending to bolster the economy.

Economy Added Fewer Jobs Than Expected in November  —  WASHINGTON—The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected in November and the unemployment rate rose to its highest level since April, underlining the continued weakness in the labor market 17 months into the recovery.

Debt plan draws bipartisan support  —  NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Defying expectations, more than 60% of President Obama's debt commission voted Friday in favor of the group's final recommendations for reducing the country's long-term debt.  —  In a strong bipartisan showing, 11 of 18 members voted yes.

The fiscal commission succeeded — sort of  —  There are a few ways to look at the final vote on the Simpson-Bowles plan:  —  One way is that the 11 votes they got is fewer than the 14 votes they needed to recommend the plan to Congress.  —  Another is that the 11 votes they got …