Swindle of the year  —  Barack Obama won the great tax-cut showdown of 2010 - and House Democrats don't have a clue that he did.  In the deal struck this week, the president negotiated the biggest stimulus in American history, larger than his $814 billion 2009 stimulus package.

Chuck Schumer vs. President Obama  —  It wasn't on the White House's official schedule, but on Nov. 22 Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) quietly slipped into the Oval Office on a self-appointed mission to steel Barack Obama for the tax cut fight.  —  Schumer, the newly anointed message guru …

Profanity, Anger Spill Over in House Democratic Caucus Meeting  —  The frustration with President Barack Obama over his tax cut compromise was palpable and even profane at Thursday's House Democratic Caucus meeting.  —  One unidentified lawmaker went so far as to mutter “f— the president” …

Why Harry Reid decided to move foward with DADT vote  —  Earlier this afternoon, just before Harry Reid went onto the Senate floor and gave a speech calling for a vote on repeal of don't ask don't tell — which has now failed — he turned to a Senate aide and shrugged his shoulders.

Could Charles and Camilla have been better protected?  —  A small group of protesters surrounded the car and threw paint at it  —  The image of the Duchess of Cornwall open-mouthed in shock as her car came under attack has already come to define the tuition fees protests.

BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL  —  Obama honors Nobel winner with statement about himself  —  There was an extraordinary scene at the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Friday morning.  The prize went to imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who was barred by the Chinese government from attending the ceremony.

Big Patent Firm Sues Nine Tech Firms  —  Technology companies on Wednesday received troubling news that some had feared for years: Intellectual Ventures LLC has started suing.  —  The secretive firm co-founded by former Microsoft Corp. Chief Technology Officer Nathan Myhrvold has raised $5 billion …

Why I Support the Ryan Roadmap  —  Let's not settle for the big-government status quo, which is what the president's deficit commission offers.  —  The publication of the findings of the president's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform was indeed, as the report was titled, “A Moment of Truth.”

Americans in Poll Want Deficit Cut With Entitlements Secured  —  Americans want Congress to bring down a federal budget deficit that many believe is “dangerously out of control,” only under two conditions: minimize the pain and make the rich pay.  —  The public wants Congress to keep …

Assange Lawyers Prepare for U.S. Spying Indictment  —  Attorney Says American Indictment Related to Espionage Act Imminent for Wikileaks Founder  —  Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, the man behind the publication of more than a 250,000 classified U.S. diplomatic cables …

Obama's tax-cut deal upsets many major donors  —  Some say they will withhold funds for the next election.  Even if they come around before the campaign kicks into gear, the initial backlash could hurt early Democratic efforts to counter GOP-allied groups.  —  Reporting from Washington …

Drudge Report owner sued by Righthaven  —  Las Vegas copyright enforcement company Righthaven LLC on Wednesday filed its second copyright infringement lawsuit over Denver Post material, this time suing a big target: Drudge Report operator Matt Drudge.  —  The suit, filed in U.S. District Court …

The Number: $858 Billion  —  The Obama-McConnell tax compromise will cost $858 billion over the next 10 years, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.  —  In other words, the Republican-backed tax plan will cost more than the stimulus bill, which priced out at $787 billion.

Slim Majority of Americans Would Vote for DREAM Act Law  —  Fifty-four percent favor granting legal status to illegal immigrants brought to U.S. as children  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans are more likely to say they would vote for than against a law that would grant legal status …

Obama's Very Good Week  —  Over the past week we've seen the big differences between cluster liberals and network liberals.  Cluster liberals (like cluster conservatives) view politics as a battle between implacable opponents.  As a result, they believe victory is achieved through maximum unity.

Palin to make surprise trip to Haiti  —  (CNN) - It turns out that Sarah Palin's next overseas trip won't be to England or Israel, as was widely reported Thursday.  —  CNN has learned that the former Alaska governor will be traveling to Haiti this weekend with Franklin Graham and his relief organization Samaritan's Purse.

A New Year's wish for the community: Joe Solmonese's resignation  —  I'm sure you know that's been my position for some time, but in harmony with Autumn's post last night that summarized the complete Senate legislative fail yesterday, it's simply too easy to point the finger at just Harry Reid …

Santorum: A 2012 long shot tests the water  —  GOFFSTOWN, N.H. - It was pushing 10 p.m., and Rick Santorum was sitting at the corner table in a near-empty Dunkin' Donuts.  The garishly lit scene might have been lifted straight from the movie “Primary Colors.”

Transcript: Obama On Taxes, Economy And START … PRESIDENT OBAMA: All right, fire away.  —  STEVE INSKEEP: OK, we'll jump right into it here.  Mr. President, what do you intend to do about the House Democrats who have said that they are not going to bring your plan to a vote in its current form?