Answering the Charge of “What's Plan B” for Tax Cut Deal  —  So, Steve Benen poses a serious question, and I'd like to give an answer.  Maybe it's a moot point with the deal going down in flames, but nevertheless. … Certainly, there are those on the Hill who think “fight harder” …

Dominoes  —  There was something strange to me about the GOP reaction yesterday to the tax cut news.  Or at least something unexpected.  I hadn't made clear sense of it until I got this news late last night, but all day yesterday I couldn't shake the feeling that the whole didn't add up.

Four Ways To Make The Tax Deal Better.  —  Tax deal apologist that I am, it behooves me to offer some constructive criticism, too, along with a reminder that this deal isn't final until the legislative process makes it so: Congressional Democrats, unable to unify around an original proposal, may try and adapt this framework.

Obama's Deal to Extend High-Earner Tax Cuts Unpopular in Poll  —  Americans don't approve of keeping the breaks for upper-income taxpayers that are part of the deal President Barack Obama brokered with congressional Republicans, a Bloomberg National Poll shows.

LOOKING FOR PLAN B.... The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Bob Greenstein, who has as much liberal credibility on budget and tax issues as anyone, doesn't seem to like the “disturbing negative” provisions of the tax policy deal struck by the White House and congressional Republicans.

Lisa Murkowski supports repeal of DADT  —  GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski has decided to support repeal of don't ask don't tell, her spokesman tells me, potentially adding another crucial GOP vote to the Yes column and putting 60 votes within reach.  —  “Her vote will depend on how free and open …

COLLINS POSITIONED TO KILL DADT REPEAL.... We talked earlier Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) surprise move this morning: he's getting started tonight on the defense authorization act, which includes a provision on repealing “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

Pass the Caribou Stew  —  The doomed caribou gazed calmly across the Alaska tundra at Caribou Barbie.  —  The female caribou could easily have escaped, since it took the Wasilla huntress six shots, two rifles and some help from her dad to bag her prey.  (Giving credence to Levi Johnston's contention …