John McCain at his fieriest before 'don't ask, don't tell' vote  —  If John McCain gets any more hostile toward his Senate colleagues, they might consider having him go through the metal detector before he enters the Capitol.  —  Saturday's debate on the repeal of the “don't-ask-don't-tell” …

Democrats Confident that 9/11 Health Bill Will Pass  —  One More Republican Vote Needed to Pass Bill for Responders and Victims  —  The first responders still suffering health effects more than nine years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks could get a “Christmas miracle” this year, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said today.

Saudi king may want to move Ground Zero mosque to St. Vincent's site  —  A Manhattan lawyer with ties to the Saudi royal family is sounding out officials and community leaders about a plan to move the controversial Ground Zero mosque to the West Village.  —  Attorney Dudley Gaffin …

Bush on Bush  —  They call themselves, smugly, “41” and “43,” meaning the 41st and 43rd presidents of the United States.  You're supposed to prefer the father, all graciousness and handwritten little notes, over the son, who — even in memoirs written at age 64 after two terms as president — seems callow.

Gays in the Military, ROTC back on Campus?  —  Now that the lame duck Democratic Congress has repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT), the new Congress will have to see to it that the Obama administration manages the implementation of repeal responsibly, and that the concerns of military leaders and troops are taken seriously.

A Gay Commander in Chief: Ready or Not?  —  Jimmy Carter is putting the out in outspokenness.  —  In an interview with bigthink.com, the former president was asked, “Is the country ready for a gay president?”  —  Even as John McCain and other ossified Republicans were staging last-minute maneuvers …

The Bipartisanship Racket  —  JEEZ, can't we all just get along?  Can't we be civilized?  Can't we reach across the aisle, find common ground and get things done?  Can't we have a new Morning in America as clubby and chipper as MSNBC's daily gabfest, “Morning Joe”?

McConnell says he ‘cannot support’ nuclear arms treaty  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voiced opposition Sunday to the New START - a nuclear arms treaty with Russia - saying that members of his party need more time to consider the legislation.

Body of U.S. tourist found near Jerusalem; police suspect terror attack  —  Christine Logan disappeared on Saturday, when she and a Jerusalem-area friend were stabbed by assailants while hiking at an archaeological site; her friend, Susan Kaye Wilson, was hospitalized in moderate condition.

White House Won't Commit to Halting DADT Discharges — a Move Urged By Reid, Levin  —  Saying that they had been “focused” on the vote, a senior White House aide intimately familiar with the administration's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal efforts was unwilling to say whether President Obama agrees …