House Republicans Agree To Payroll Deal  —  House Republicans on Thursday crumpled under the weight of White House and public pressure and have agreed to pass a two-month extension of the payroll-tax cut, Republican and Democratic sources told National Journal.

What Ron Paul Thinks of America  —  It seemed improbable that the best-known American propagandist for our enemies could be near the top of the pack in the Iowa contest, but there it is.  —  Ron Paul's supporters are sure of one thing: Their candidate has always been consistent …

Gay community apologizes to Amy Koch for ruining her marriage  —  The gay and lesbian community of Minnesota has issued a letter of apology to recently resigned Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch for ruining the institution of marriage and causing her to stray from her husband and engage in an “inappropriate relationship.”

Bush 41 backs Romney for president, admits he's not Gingrich's ‘biggest advocate’  —  1,587  —  Less than two weeks before Iowa Republicans make their crucial caucus choices on the night of Jan. 3, George H.W. Bush offered words of support, if not an official endorsement, to an old friend, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Signs Point to Economy's Rise, but Experts See a False Dawn  —  WASHINGTON — As the fourth quarter draws to a close, a spate of unexpectedly good economic data suggests that it will have some of the fastest and strongest economic growth since the recovery started in 2009 …

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner's wife gives birth to baby boy  —  After a year filled with ridicule and scandal, disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner finally has something he can feel proud about — a new baby boy.  —  Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, gave birth to the wee Democrat yesterday …

Jim Sensenbrenner sorry for ‘big butt’ quip  —  Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner sent a note of apology Thursday to Michelle Obama for referring to her “large posterior” and “big butt,” his spokesperson told POLITICO.  —  Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) was overheard talking about the first lady's healthy food initiative …

Gingrich, the anti-conservative  —  When discussing his amazingness, Newt Gingrich sometimes exaggerates somewhat, as when, discussing Bosnia and Washington, D.C., street violence, he said, “People like me are what stand between us and Auschwitz” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jan. 16, 1994].

Why Must We Care About the Whims of So Few Iowans?  —  In the next-to-last Morning Jolt before the Christmas holiday, a look at whether Jimmy Carter sent condolences to North Korea, the cost of ... and this assessment of what's going on in Iowa, and doubts about why we should care so much about all that:

Colbert guest editorial: Naming rights, state mottoes and the GOP primary + video  —  As a proud son of South Carolina I must address recent unsubstantiated rumors published in The State that I, Stephen Colbert, tried to buy the naming rights to the 2012 Republican primary.

What I Want for Christmas  —  Now that you ask.  —  Thanks to my old Shanghai/Beijing colleague Louisa Lim of NPR for the tip.  Place your orders here.

How Democrats Fooled California's Redistricting Commission  —  This spring, a group of California Democrats gathered at a modern, airy office building just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol.  The meeting was House members only — no aides allowed — and the mission was seemingly impossible.

Santorum: Vander Plaats said ‘he needed money to promote the endorsement’  —  Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) - One of the most influential Christian leaders in Iowa told Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum “he needed money to promote the endorsement” of the candidate, Santorum told CNN on Wednesday.