memeorandum: Escalators: Picking Losers (Unsuck DC Metro)

4:50 PM ET, December 4, 2010

Top Items:

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, No More Mister Nice Blog, Mediaite, Zandar Versus The Stupid, Wake up America, Scared Monkeys and Washington Monthly

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

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

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

Discussion: ThinkProgress

CNN:
Democratic procedural votes on extending Bush tax cuts fail in Senate

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: House of Eratosthenes, Balloon Juice, No More Mister Nice Blog, Vox Popoli, Daily Kos, Prairie Weather and Eschaton

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, TBogg, Balloon Juice, Pajamas Media and Grasping Reality …

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

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

Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket:
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

Discussion: The Daily Beast and Daily Kos

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

New York Times:

Cables Discuss Vast Hacking by a China That Fears the Web — Customers use computers at an Internet cafe. Cables document the Politburo's near obsession with Chinese Internet users accessing politically delicate information. — China has engaged in attacks aimed at American military and political data …

Discussion: The Peking Duck, more at Techmeme »

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 The News Tribune

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