Top Items:
Tom Jensen / Public Policy Polling:
Paul closes in on Gingrich — There has been some major movement in the Republican Presidential race in Iowa over the last week, with what was a 9 point lead for Newt Gingrich now all the way down to a single point. Gingrich is at 22% to 21% for Paul with Mitt Romney at 16% …
Discussion:
Washington Post, Campaign Stops, Outside the Beltway, Wonkette, Patterico's Pontifications, Ballot Box, Campaign 2012, The Moderate Voice, The Politico, Swampland, Business Insider, No More Mister Nice Blog, Alan Colmes' Liberaland, Weasel Zippers, The PJ Tatler, Mediaite, The Daily Caller, Indecision Forever, Booman Tribune, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog, National Review, CNN, The Mahablog and Washington Examiner
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Jennifer Jacobs / Iowa Caucuses:
Gingrich's Iowa political director leaves campaign after Mormonism ‘cult’ remark — Craig Bergman (Dave Davidson / Prezography.com) — The new political director for Newt Gingrich's Iowa campaign thinks that some evangelicals believe God would reject Mitt Romney because of his Mormonism.
Discussion:
The Politico and Right Wing News
Mark Murray / msnbc.com:
NBC/WSJ poll: Romney struggles with primary voters, Gingrich with general electorate — Why the difference between Mitt Romney, left, and Newt Gingrich, right? Look no further than the two men's favorability ratings. — By Mark Murray, Deputy Political Director, NBC News
Discussion:
Daily Kos, Hot Air, The Political Carnival, Ballot Box and Washington Wire
Washington Post:
Romney blasts Gingrich as ‘extremely unreliable’ conservative leader — BOSTON—Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney blasted rival Newt Gingrich Tuesday as an “extremely unreliable leader in the conservative world” who has taken positions in this campaign that should give GOP voters pause …
Discussion:
The Politico, The Last Tradition, Alan Colmes' Liberaland, The Page and 2012 Decoded
Justin Sink / The Hill:
Trump pulls out of GOP debate — Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will not moderate next month's GOP debate sponsored by Newsmax. — The reality televison show host's decision came after most Republican candidates declined to participate in the debate, with only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum agreeing to appear.
Discussion:
Michelle Malkin, CNN, Taylor Marsh, Little Green Footballs, The Lonely Conservative and Indecision Forever
Susan Page / USA Today:
Swing States Poll: Downbeat Dems, resurgent Republicans — WASHINGTON - President Obama is moving to energize the Democratic base for his re-election campaign, but in the case of a dozen battleground states, he'll have to work harder than four years ago to find it.
Kevin Hall / The Iowa Republican:
TIR Focus Group: Evangelicals Will Revolt Against Romney Nomination — A focus group of Iowa conservative activists gathered recently to discuss the upcoming caucuses. The group, organized by TheIowaRepublican.com in conjunction with McClatchy newspapers, included a retiree, a college student …
Discussion:
The Politico and O.KayHenderson.com
Josh Lederman / Ballot Box:
Gingrich Iowa staffer resigns after calling Mormonism a ‘cult’
Gingrich Iowa staffer resigns after calling Mormonism a ‘cult’
Discussion:
CNN
Neil King Jr / Wall Street Journal:
Gingrich Surges, but Swing Voters Are Wary
Gingrich Surges, but Swing Voters Are Wary
Discussion:
MyFox Philadelphia
Bobby Bank / ABCNEWS:
Donald Trump Backs Out of Debate, Floating Independent Bid
Donald Trump Backs Out of Debate, Floating Independent Bid
Discussion:
PopWatch and entertainment.time.com
Ben Smithand Maggie Haberman / The Politico:
Romney's role: The Hillary Clinton of 2012?
Romney's role: The Hillary Clinton of 2012?
Discussion:
CNN, Taylor Marsh, msnbc.com, New York Magazine and The Other McCain
Catalina Camia / USA Today:
Donald Trump bows out as GOP debate moderator
Donald Trump bows out as GOP debate moderator
Discussion:
Sky Dancing, Gothamist, The Moderate Voice, Daily Kos and Campaign 2012
Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Oh my: Ron Paul within one point of Gingrich in Iowa?
Oh my: Ron Paul within one point of Gingrich in Iowa?
Discussion:
The Daily Caller, Business Insider, National Review and Campaign 2012
Josh Lederman / The Hill:
Mitt Romney starts to show cracks as front-runner status slips further
Mitt Romney starts to show cracks as front-runner status slips further
Discussion:
The Politico, CNN and Prairie Weather
Alexander Burns / The Politico:
Trump bows out of GOP debate
Trump bows out of GOP debate
Discussion:
Business Insider, Outside the Beltway, Hot Air and Ricochet Conversations Feed, more at Mediagazer »
New York Times:
House Passes Extension of Cut to Payroll Taxes — WASHINGTON — Defying a veto threat from President Obama, the House on Tuesday passed a bill extending a cut in Social Security payroll taxes for 160 million Americans for another year. But the Democratic majority in the Senate vowed to reject …
Discussion:
Washington Post, The Lonely Conservative and The Other McCain
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Brian Beutler / tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com:
TPMDC — Dems To GOP: Deal Fairly On Payroll Tax Or Shut Down The Government
TPMDC — Dems To GOP: Deal Fairly On Payroll Tax Or Shut Down The Government
Discussion:
Firedoglake, ourfuture.org/blogs_chrono/*, Daily Kos and New York Times
Pete Kasperowicz / The Hill:
House passes payroll tax cut extension bill despite veto threat
House passes payroll tax cut extension bill despite veto threat
Discussion:
The Politico
The Hill:
Republican leaders say they'll have the votes to pass payroll-tax bill
Republican leaders say they'll have the votes to pass payroll-tax bill
Discussion:
The Politico and CNN
Jennifer Steinhauer / New York Times:
Millionaires on Food Stamps and Jobless Pay? G.O.P. Is on It
Millionaires on Food Stamps and Jobless Pay? G.O.P. Is on It
Discussion:
Daily Kos, The Hill, The Impolitic, Washington Monthly, Wonkette, Bark Bark Woof Woof and Investor's Business Daily
Brian Stelter / Media Decoder:
Amanpour to Leave ABC's ‘This Week’ and Rejoin CNN — Updated Christiane Amanpour is leaving the anchor chair of ABC's “This Week” and returning to her old network home, CNN, as the anchor of an evening newscast on CNN International. — The changes, confirmed Tuesday evening …
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice, Mediaite, Business Insider, Inside Cable News, Gawker, Outside the Beltway and Hot Air, more at Mediagazer »
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Stephanopoulos back to replace Amanpour at ABC's ‘This Week,’ will remain host of ‘GMA’ — NEW YORK — Christiane Amanpour is being replaced as ABC's Sunday morning political talk show host by the man she took over from — George Stephanopoulos. — ABC News said Tuesday that Amanpour is out as host of “This Week.”
Discussion:
Mediaite, Big Journalism, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog and The PJ Tatler
Michael Calderone / The Huffington Post:
Christiane Amanpour To Leave ‘This Week’ But Remain At ABC, Host New CNN International Show
Christiane Amanpour To Leave ‘This Week’ But Remain At ABC, Host New CNN International Show
Discussion:
Mediaite and FishbowlDC, more at Mediagazer »
Scott Baker / TheBlaze.com:
GINGRICH FLASHBACK: ‘PROGRESSIVE’ FDR WAS ‘GREATEST PRESIDENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY’ (PLUS - SEIU'S ANDY STERN IS VISIONARY UNION LEADER!) — Scroll down for the video — or read this first: — I've always liked the feisty tone Newt Gingrich brings to debate.
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Mark Finkelstein / NewsBusters.org:
Scarborough: Like Beck, I'd Consider Third-Party Ron Paul Over Gingrich
Scarborough: Like Beck, I'd Consider Third-Party Ron Paul Over Gingrich
Discussion:
Mediaite, GOP 12, National Review and The Right Scoop
Ben Smith / The Politico:
Gingrich misses a McCain moment
Gingrich misses a McCain moment
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, Mondoweiss and Washington Post
Jeff Zeleny / The Caucus:
Obama Team Likes Prospect of Long Republican Fight — President Obama and his allies are keenly aware of the challenges on the horizon in his re-election bid, but one development entirely out of their control is bolstering their spirits: The prospect of a drawn-out Republican nominating fight between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.
Discussion:
New York Times, The Moderate Voice and Prairie Weather
RELATED:
Jonah Goldberg / Los Angeles Times:
Newtzilla to the rescue — Many feel that a Gingrich victory might be scarier than a GOP defeat. His chances may depend on how desperate voters feel about the state of the nation. — Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich poses …
Discussion:
News Desk, Riehl World View, Don Surber, The Daily Dish, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and American Spectator
Jonah Goldberg / National Review:
All-American Mess — I'd bet that TLC's All-American Muslim is a pretty dull show that borders on hagiography. But I still don't get why anyone would get so mad about it. As I understand it, the show depicts Muslim families as more moderate, more American than some stereotypes. Is that really so horrible?
Discussion:
On Point with Tom Ashbrook, The Atlantic Online, newsfeed.time.com and entertainment.time.com
RELATED:
Tim Mak / The Politico:
Protests growing against Lowe's
Protests growing against Lowe's
Discussion:
Colorlines, Right Wing Watch, National Review and Crooks and Liars
Mike M. Ahlers / CNN:
NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving — Washington (CNN) — Federal accident investigators Tuesday called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving. — Study: Half of young people text, drive
Discussion:
Hit & Run, The Moderate Voice and Shakesville
RELATED:
Matt Richtel / New York Times:
U.S. Safety Board Urges Cell Phone Ban for Drivers
U.S. Safety Board Urges Cell Phone Ban for Drivers
Discussion:
Truthdig and Gawker, more at Techmeme »
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System:
For immediate release — Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November suggests that the economy has been expanding moderately, notwithstanding some apparent slowing in global growth. While indicators point to some improvement in overall labor market conditions, the unemployment rate remains elevated.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Firedoglake, msnbc.com, Business Insider, MarketBeat and FT Alphaville
Rep. Dennis Cardoza / The Hill:
Opinion: Obama would rather be university professor than president — After observing President Obama for the last three years, it has become obvious to me that the President might prefer to be a university professor rather than do the job he holds today. While he may not realize that he feels …
Derek Thompson / The Atlantic Online:
The Graph That Proves Economic Forecasters Are Almost Always Wrong — As the saying goes: “It's hard to make predictions. Especially about the future.” Thirty years ago, it was obvious to everybody that oil prices would keep going up forever. Twenty years ago, it was obvious that Japan would own the 21st century.
Discussion:
Bloomberg and Via Meadia
Gene Marks / Quicker Better Tech:
If I Were A Poor Black Kid — President Obama gave an excellent speech last week in Kansas about inequality in America. — “This is the defining issue of our time.” He said. “This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get into the middle class.
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, pandagon.net and Balloon Juice