memeorandum: Nigerian capital Abuja hit by barracks bomb (BBC)

11:45 AM ET, January 1, 2011

Top Items:

Sarah Palin's Nomination Chances: A Reassessment — In November 2009, I wrote an article entitled “10 Reasons That Sarah Palin Could Win the Republican Nomination.” The article wasn't necessarily arguing that she was the favorite to take the nomination, but it did suggest she had a credible chance at it.

Discussion: Daniel W. Drezner

Jonathan Bernstein / The Plum Line:

Is Sarah Palin toast? — Thanks, again, to Greg for inviting me and to everyone for reading — and Happy New Year to all. — Before I go, I'll just do a bit of blogging on everyone's favorite subject, the Sage of Wasilla. Nate Silver had an interesting aside in a recent post that's stuck with me over the last few days:

Discussion: The Political Carnival

Jeff Poor / The Daily Caller:
Not a fan: Krauthammer calls Palin ‘rather weak’ …

Discussion: Pajamas Media, Weasel Zippers, The Right Scoop and Outside the Beltway

David A. Fahrenthold / Washington Post:

New health-care rules to take effect — The new year will bring important changes to U.S. health-insurance rules, as new provisions related to last year's massive health-care overhaul take effect. — The new rules are designed to help those caught in Medicare's “doughnut hole,” …

Discussion: Washington Monthly, EconomicPolicyJournal.com, Daily Kos and Prairie Weather

Ginger Gibson / New Jersey Online:

Gov. Christie praises his administration for work done after blizzard, chastises mayors for local efforts — TRENTON — At his first public event since a blizzard slammed the state, Gov. Chris Christie praised state workers and his administration for their response to the storm and said he wouldn't have done anything differently.

Discussion: Washington Monthly, Paul Mulshine, Firedoglake, Thurman Hart, Don Surber, Metropolis, Washington Wire, Paul Krugman, No More Mister Nice Blog and Eschaton

David Seifman / New York Post:
Mayor Bloomberg admits that failing to tackle blizzard was ‘character building’

Discussion: theblogprof, Gothamist and JammieWearingFool

David Seifman / New York Post: Mayor Bloomberg admits that failing to tackle blizzard was ‘character building’

Bob Cusack / The Hill:

‘A big f— deal’ and more: The top 10 political quotes of 2010 — Vice President Joe Biden's use of profanity, a New York congressman's admission of groping and a denial of witchcraft were among the top 10 political quotes of 2010. — The healthcare reform debate is featured in several others …

Discussion: The Political Carnival and The Political Commentator

The White House:

Weekly Address: Democrats and Republicans Have Shared Responsibility to Move America Forward — WASHINGTON - In his weekly address, President Obama resolved to do everything he can to make sure the economy is growing, creating jobs, and strengthening the middle class in the new year.

Discussion: Politics Daily, Right Wing News and White House.gov Blog Feed

BBC:

Nigerian capital Abuja hit by barracks bomb — Victims of the explosion were taken to a morgue in the Nigerian capital — Several people have been killed by a bomb blast at a bar near a barracks in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. — Nigeria's president condemned the attack …

Discussion: The Gateway Pundit and Jihad Watch

Jesse J. Holland / Associated Press:

Chief justice urges progress naming judges — WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats must find a long-term solution to selecting federal judges, Chief Justice John Roberts says, while blaming both sides for the political gridlock of judicial nominations in the Senate.

Discussion: Outside the Beltway and The Page

ABCNEWS:

Baby Boomers Expected to Drain Medicare — The Biggest Generational Wave in History Could Leave Medicare System Broken — The first baby boomers will turn 65 Jan. 1, beginning a flood of applications for Medicare benefits that experts fear could drain the economy and hold political repercussions for President Obama.

Discussion: Crooks and Liars and Suburban Guerrilla

DAWN.COM:

Two US drone attacks kill 11 in North Waziristan — MIRAMSHAH: Two US missile attacks in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region on Saturday reportedly killed at least 11 militants and destroyed a Taliban compound, local officials said. — The attacks took place in Mandi Khel …

Discussion: 1 The Long War Journal

Rasool Dawar / Associated Press:
US missiles kill 8 in northwest Pakistan

Discussion: 1 The Long War Journal and Weasel Zippers

C. J. Hughes / New York Times:

Manhattan Status Symbols: Washers and Dryers — THE final noisemaker has squealed and the last dinner guest has straggled home, so the holiday extravaganza that is Christmas and New Year's — spread out over two long weekends and punctuated by a blizzard — is over.

Discussion: Althouse and Eschaton

McClatchy Washington Bureau:

2011 looks grim for progress on women's rights in Iraq — Men view a Baghdad display that warns that women who don't wear the hijab, or traditional Muslim head covering, will be punished in the afterlife. The display, which depicts women engulfed in flames, was erected by Islamist leaders …

Discussion: Jihad Watch and Prairie Weather

Wall Street Journal:

The Liberal Reckoning of 2010 — The year voters saw the left's unvarnished agenda and said no. — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sent out a press release last week headlined “111th Congress Accomplishments.” It quoted a couple of Democratic Party cheerleaders calling …

Discussion: Moe Lane and Commentary