12/4: NBC News/Marist Poll: Gingrich Races to the Head of the Pack in Iowa  —  With less than one month to go until the Iowa caucus, Newt Gingrich has surged to the top of the leaderboard in the state.  Gingrich outdistances his closest rivals, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, by 8 and 9 percentage points, respectively.

Coburn blasts Gingrich, found his leadership ‘lacking’ as House Speaker  —  Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said Sunday that he cannot support GOP presidential frontrunner Newt Gingrich because the former House speaker lacks leadership skills.  —  “I am not inclined to be a supporter …

Obama to channel T.R. — Cain may endorse Newt — Gingrich talks Middle East, inner city this week - Perry bus tour - Iowa Poll: Newt, Ron Paul, Mitt, undecided, Bachmann, Cain, Santorum, Perry  —  GREEN ROOM CHEAT SHEET - our notes for “Face the Nation” roundtable:

Lies, Damned Lies, And Elections  —  As we wait to see whether the GOP nominates the guy who claims that his health plan was nothing like Obamacare, oh no, or the guy who claims that Freddie Mac paid him $1.6 million as a historian, one thing is obvious: this election is going to pose a major challenge to the news media.

The Profits on the Secret $7.7 Trillion Loans to TBTF Banks  —  Elliot Spitzer has an excellent article up at Slate about the $7.7 trillion secret loans that the Fed made to the nation's biggest banks.  He wants criminal and Congressional investigations, as you would expect.

U.S. Drug Agents Launder Profits of Mexican Cartels  —  WASHINGTON — Undercover American narcotics agents have laundered or smuggled millions of dollars in drug proceeds as part of Washington's expanding role in Mexico's fight against drug cartels, according to current and former federal law enforcement officials.

U.S. official says no sign Iran shot down drone  —  (Reuters) - Iranian media reported on Sunday that their country's military had shot down a U.S. reconnaissance drone in eastern Iran, but a U.S. official said there was no indication the aircraft had been shot down.

A closer look at Mitt Romney's job creation record  —  The Republican presidential contender says he learned about expanding employment during his time heading a private equity firm.  But under his leadership, Bain Capital often maximized profits in part by firing workers.

Out of Africa and Into Iowa  —  NEWT GINGRICH'S mind is in love with itself.  —  It has persuaded itself that it is brilliant when it is merely promiscuous.  This is not a serious mind.  Gingrich is not, to put it mildly, a systematic thinker.  —  His mind is a jumble, an amateurish mess lacking impulse control.

Panetta Scolds Israel on Peace Talks  —  WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urged Israel on Friday to “reach out and mend fences” with Turkey, Egypt and other security partners in the Middle East, saying he is troubled by the Jewish state's growing isolation in the volatile region.