Top Items:
Charlie Riedel / ABCNEWS:
Gingrich '06 Memo: “Agree Entirely With Gov. Romney” on Health Care — To conservatives, the biggest strike against Mitt Romney is the health care plan he put in place in Massachusetts, but Newt Gingrich lavished praise on Romney's plan after it was passed in 2006.
Discussion:
NewsBusters.org blogs, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Hot Air and New York Times
RELATED:
Wall Street Journal:
Gingrich Applauded Romney's Health Plan — Newt Gingrich voiced enthusiasm for Mitt Romney's Massachusetts health-care law when it was passed five years ago, the same plan he has been denouncing over the past few months as he campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination.
Discussion:
The Hill, GOP 12, Washington Post, ABCNEWS and Outside the Beltway
Jonathan Martin / The Politico:
A first: Newt camp goes on attack (and with oppo) — In a sign that he's formally backing off his pledge to avoid negative politics, Newt Gingrich is taking direct aim at Mitt Romney. — Gingrich's campaign, urgently in need of recapturing their momentum from earlier this month …
Discussion:
Mediaite, msnbc.com, Rick Perry 2012 Campaign …, The New Republic, The Page and Hot Air
Nate Silver / FiveThirtyEight:
How Can Romney Lose?
How Can Romney Lose?
Discussion:
ABCNEWS, Weasel Zippers, Booman Tribune, Political Mojo and New York Magazine
Jennifer Jacobs / Iowa Caucuses:
GOP candidates, super PACs have spent $10 million on TV, radio pitches in December — Iowans might be more likely to have seen Ron Paul, Rick Perry or Mitt Romney on their television screens this December than to have seen Santa. — GOP presidential candidates and the political action committees …
Discussion:
Des Moines Register, Ballot Box, The Politico, New York Times, GOP 12, Washington Post, TheGazette, msnbc.com, Boston Globe and San Francisco Chronicle
RELATED:
Jonathan D. Salant / Bloomberg:
Gingrich Doesn't Make Republican Primary Ballot in Virginia — (Updates with Huckabee comments starting in 10th paragraph. For more campaign news, go to ELECT.) — Dec. 25 (Bloomberg) — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, atop a recent opinion poll among Virginia Republicans …
Discussion:
The Atlantic Online and BAGnewsNotes
Peter Whoriskey / Washington Post:
Growing wealth widens distance between lawmakers and constituents — BUTLER, Pa. — One day after his shift at the steel mill, Gary Myers drove home in his 10-year-old Pontiac and told his wife he was going to run for Congress. — The odds were long. At 34, Myers was the shift foreman at the “hot mill” of the Armco plant here.
Discussion:
Balloon Juice and Prairie Weather
RELATED:
Eric Lichtblau / New York Times:
Economic Downturn Took a Detour at Capitol Hill
Economic Downturn Took a Detour at Capitol Hill
Discussion:
Balloon Juice
Washington Examiner:
‘Mischief’ voters push Paul to front of GOP race — Ron Paul is surging in the Republican presidential race. Just not among Republicans. — The Texas congressman is leading some polls in Iowa and is in a tie for second in New Hampshire. A candidacy once dismissed as sideshow …
Discussion:
Libertarian Republican
RELATED:
Michael Barone / Wall Street Journal:
As Iowa Goes, So Goes Iowa — For all of the media hoopla …
As Iowa Goes, So Goes Iowa — For all of the media hoopla …
Discussion:
msnbc.com and The Politico
Jonathan Easley / Ballot Box:
GOP readies for final sprint in Iowa
GOP readies for final sprint in Iowa
Discussion:
The Politico, Iowa Caucuses and CNN
Braden Goyette / NY Daily News:
Former Ron Paul staffer contends GOP candidate is ‘uncomfortable’ with gay people — Eric Dondero also says his ex-boss is anti-Israel — Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul of Texas. — A former Ron Paul staffer says the Republican presidential candidate is “unsettled …
Discussion:
CBS News, Ballot Box, Mediaite, The Reaction and Towleroad News #gay
RELATED:
Sam Stein / The Huffington Post:
Ron Paul, In 1996, ‘Did Not Deny’ Controversial Statement In Newsletter
Ron Paul, In 1996, ‘Did Not Deny’ Controversial Statement In Newsletter
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice, Slate, Outside the Beltway, Hullabaloo, Daily Kos and BuzzFeed
Shushannah Walshe / ABCNEWS:
7 Days Out: Good Morning Iowa — Good morning from Des Moines. We are 7 days out from the Iowa caucuses...exactly one week away. We here at Good Morning Iowa are always open to news tips, suggestions, and praise...critiques too. Thanks to the other morning notes that this takes much of its inspiration from.
Discussion:
Washington Post and The Iowa Republican
Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:
Predictions gone wrong — Dave Weigel had a good item yesterday on his “2011 Pundit Audit.” It's a worthwhile idea, so I thought I'd join the fun. … Weigel points to four flubs: the assumption that Rick Perry would be a competent candidate; the belief that Perry's book and agenda …
Discussion:
Slate and The Reality-Based Community
Jewel Samada / Investor's Business Daily:
The Obamas celebrate Kwanzaa in spirit of umoja — The Obamas mark Kwanzaa in the spirit of umoja — Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. — Today marks the beginning of the week-long celebration honoring African American heritage …
Discussion:
Weasel Zippers and PERRspectives
Philip Aldrick / Telegraph:
Treasury plans for euro failure — The Government is considering plans to restrict the flow of money in and out of Britain to protect the economy in the event of a full-blown euro break-up. — A break up of the euro would have a devastating impact on the UK.