Top Items:
The Politico:
Now it's all or nothing on tax cuts — Democrats failed to break a Republican filibuster Saturday of two measures that would have ended Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, forcing both parties back to the negotiating table if they want to avert a tax hike next year for most Americans.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Wake up America, Washington Monthly and Scared Monkeys
RELATED:
J. Taylor Rushing / The Hill:
Senate rejects million-dollar tax-cut compromise in Saturday session — United Senate Republicans joined a small handful of Democrats on Saturday to defeat a pair of proposals to extend some of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts signed into law by President George W. Bush.
Discussion:
Outside the Beltway
Michael O'Brien / The Hill:
Graham: GOP ‘made some pretty poor choices’ for Senate candidates this fall — Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that Republicans “made some pretty poor choices” in choosing their Senate candidates this fall. — Graham, in a Senate floor speech on Saturday, made an aside comment underscoring …
Discussion:
Weasel Zippers
Patricia Murphy / Politics Daily:
Senate Republicans Block Democrats Middle Class Tax Cut Plan … Republican senators led a filibuster Saturday to block consideration of two Democratic proposals to permanently extend the expiring Bush tax cuts for all but the highest earners. — In a rare weekend session …
Discussion:
ThinkProgress
J. Taylor Rushing / The Hill:
Reid on schedule: No Christmas work — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Saturday said Democrats plan to move forward next week on several votes including the DREAM act to establish U.S. citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. — Speaking midway through …
Discussion:
The Politico
CNN:
Democratic procedural votes on extending Bush tax cuts fail in Senate — Washington (CNN) — Two Senate procedural votes on Democratic measures to extend George W. Bush-era tax cuts for people who are not super wealthy failed on Saturday, preventing the measures from moving forward.
Discussion:
TPMDC, Mediaite, New York Magazine and ThinkProgress
Charles M. Blow / New York Times:
She Who Must Not Be Named — This is it. This is the last time I'm going to write the name Sarah Palin until she does something truly newsworthy, like declare herself a candidate for the presidency. Until then, I will no longer take part in the left's obsessive-compulsive fascination with her …
Discussion:
Balloon Juice, No More Mister Nice Blog, Vox Popoli, Daily Kos, Prairie Weather and Eschaton
Shane D'Aprile / The Hill:
Dem congressman: Afghanistan conflict ‘not a winnable war’ — With President Obama on the ground in Afghanistan Friday, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) declared the U.S.-led war in that country unwinnable. — In an appearance on MSNBC's “Hardball” with Chris Matthews, the Democrat said the war …
Discussion:
Weasel Zippers and The Other McCain
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Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket:
Was President Obama endangered by premature news reports of his arrival in Afghan warzone? — A growing flap — and concerns — over President Obama's personal safety and security in the Afghan war zone tonight, given that some American news outlets reported he was there nearly a half-hour before Air Force One actually landed.
Discussion:
JustOneMinute and New York Times
Peter Baker / The Caucus:
President Obama Lands in Afghanistan for Unannounced Visit
President Obama Lands in Afghanistan for Unannounced Visit
Discussion:
The Daily Beast and Daily Kos
Washington Post:
Hollywood myth-making on Valerie Plame controversy — WE'RE NOT in the habit of writing movie reviews. But the recently released film “Fair Game” - which covers a poisonous Washington controversy during the war in Iraq - deserves some editorial page comment, if only because of what its promoters are saying about it.
Discussion:
Wonk Room, Balloon Juice and Grasping Reality …
The Huffington Post:
4 Million Americans Set To Lose Unemployment Benefits Even If Congress Passes Extension (CHART) — WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? … Even as Congress debates whether to extend emergency unemployment checks for more than 6 million Americans who are approaching the 99-week limit …
Discussion:
Crooks and Liars
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Peter Whoriskey / Washington Post:
Jobless rate jumps to 9.8% as hiring slows in November
Jobless rate jumps to 9.8% as hiring slows in November
Discussion:
Hot Air, Big Government and Left in the West
Michael Lerner / Washington Post:
Save Obama - by running against him — People who used to say, “Give President Obama more time” when the president was criticized for capitulating to the right, or who argued that Obama must have a plan to turn things around, are now largely depressed and angry.
Discussion:
Vox Popoli
Fhardingj / CNN:
Palin book signing a tightly controlled operation — Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) - Members of the media and book-toting Sarah Palin supporters were asked to follow a surprisingly strict set of guidelines Friday as the former Alaska governor appeared in South Carolina on the final stop …
Discussion:
Politics Daily, The Confluence and GOP 12
U.S. Senator Susan Collins:
SENATOR COLLINS' STATEMENT ON 'DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL' — Following the conclusion of today's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, Senator Susan Collins released this statement: — “Like our closest allies, the United States' Armed Forces …
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Michael O'Brien / The Hill:
Collins says 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal must wait for tax cuts
Collins says 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal must wait for tax cuts
Discussion:
The Caucus, Box Turtle Bulletin, The Reality-Based Community and Balloon Juice
Mary Clare Jalonick / hosted2.ap.org:
Hold the brownies! Bill could limit bake sales … WASHINGTON (AP) — Don't touch my brownies! — A child nutrition bill on its way to President Barack Obama — and championed by the first lady — gives the government power to limit school bake sales and other fundraisers that health advocates …
Discussion:
Right Wing News, Questions and Observations, Weasel Zippers, Doug Ross and Joanne Jacobs
Jeffrey T. Kuhner / Washington Times:
Assassinate Assange — Web provocateur undermines war on terror, threatens American lives — Julian Assange poses a clear and present danger to American national security. The WikiLeaks founder is more than a reckless provocateur. He is aiding and abetting terrorists in their war against America.
Discussion:
Harry's Place, Guardian, New York Times, The New Republic and News: News blog
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Martha C. White / Slate:
What's in those free-trade agreements—and do they really boost exports?
What's in those free-trade agreements—and do they really boost exports?
Discussion:
Grasping Reality … and Yglesias