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, Mediaite, Wake up America and Scared Monkeys
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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:
Sky Dancing, Outside the Beltway and Booman Tribune
The Politico:
Now it's all or nothing on tax cuts — “It became apparent the second time we met that actually there weren't going to be any bipartisan negotiations to reach a decision until there had been a political catharsis on the Democratic side,” said Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), who was tapped for a bipartisan working group led by the administration.
Discussion:
Power Line and Outside the Beltway
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
Patricia Murphy / Politics Daily:
Senate GOP Blocks Democrats' on Middle Class Tax Cut; Obama Still Confident of Deal
Senate GOP Blocks Democrats' on Middle Class Tax Cut; Obama Still Confident of Deal
Discussion:
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:
House of Eratosthenes, Balloon Juice, Vox Popoli, No More Mister Nice Blog, Daily Kos, Prairie Weather and Eschaton
Daily Mail:
Narnia fans' fury after Liam Neeson claims Aslan - the symbol of Christ - could also be Mohammed — The much-loved children's stories have an unapologetic Christian message. — C. S. Lewis was clear that the character of Aslan in his Chronicles of Narnia is based on Christ.
Discussion:
Big Hollywood, Right Wing News and Jihad Watch
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, NO QUARTER, Balloon Juice and Grasping Reality …
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 …
Was President Obama endangered by premature news reports of his …
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
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
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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
David Dayen / Firedoglake:
Senate GOP Blocks Consideration of Tax Plan Extending Rates on First $250K and First $1M — UPDATE: Roll Call. The five Democratic no's on the $250K plan were Feingold, Webb, Manchin, Ben Nelson and Lieberman. But Nelson, Webb and Manchin flipped to yes on the $1M plan.
Discussion:
AmSpecBlog, Corrente and PoliPundit.com
New York Times:
Cables Discuss Vast Hacking by a China That Fears the Web — As China ratcheted up the pressure on Google to censor its Internet searches last year, the American Embassy sent a secret cable to Washington detailing why top Chinese leaders had become so obsessed with the Internet search company: they were Googling themselves.
Discussion:
The Peking Duck, more at Techmeme »
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 Salon