memeorandum: Ahmadinejad steps into Iran's dress-code debate (Thomas Erdbrink/Washington Post)

11:25 AM ET, December 27, 2011

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: Guardian, NewsBusters.org blogs, The PJ Tatler, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and Hot Air

Nate Silver / FiveThirtyEight:

How Can Romney Lose? — The conventional wisdom on the Republican nomination race has once again shifted. In the span of just two weeks, Mitt Romney has gone from seeming quite vulnerable to the near-inevitable Republican nominee. The odds attributed to Mr. Romney winning the nomination …

Discussion: ABCNEWS, Weasel Zippers, The Daily Caller, Booman Tribune, Althouse, Political Mojo, The Politico and New York Magazine

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 Moderate Voice, The Hill, GOP 12, The Caucus, Washington Post, ABCNEWS, New York Times 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: msnbc.com, Mediaite, Rick Perry 2012 Campaign …, The New Republic, Hot Air and The Page

Jonathan D. Salant / Bloomberg:
Gingrich Doesn't Make Republican Primary Ballot in Virginia

Discussion: The Atlantic Online and BAGnewsNotes

Jennifer Jacobs / Iowa Caucuses:
GOP candidates, super PACs have spent $10 million on TV, radio pitches in December

Discussion: Des Moines Register, Ballot Box, The Politico, New York Times, GOP 12, Washington Post, Boston Globe, 2012 Decoded, msnbc.com and San Francisco Chronicle

Jason Donner / Fox News:
Gingrich Compares Virginia Ballot Fiasco to Pearl Harbor

Discussion: The Politico, Iowa Caucuses, blogs.telegraph.co.uk, Scared Monkeys, Campaign 2012, The Other McCain, Bearing Drift, The Caucus, The Daily Caller, Taylor Marsh, Enik Rising and Ballot Access News

Alan Duke / CNN:
Newly recovered court files cast doubt on Gingrich version of first divorce

Discussion: Washington Monthly, The Caucus, Daily Kos, Blue Gal, The Raw Story, Crooks and Liars, Prairie Weather, Rick Perry 2012 Campaign …, TBogg, Capital Tonight, Booman Tribune and The Politico

Jonathan Easley / Ballot Box:
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: Ballot Box, The Reaction, iOwnTheWorld.com, Libertarian Republican and The Gateway Pundit

Lucy Madison / CBS News:

Ron Paul camp fires back at ex-aide over column on Israel, gays — The Ron Paul camp is dismissing a scathing personal account published Monday by former longtime Paul aide Eric Dondero, who paints the Texas congressman as “intolerant” of Spanish speakers, anti-Israel and anti-Israeli …

Discussion: Mediaite, Towleroad News #gay, YID With LID, First Draft and Catholic Bandita

David A. Fahrenthold / Washington Post:
Ron Paul's House record marked by bold strokes, and futility

Discussion: Prairie Weather

Sam Stein / The Huffington Post:
Ron Paul, In 1996, ‘Did Not Deny’ Controversial Statement In Newsletter

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Outside the Beltway, Slate, Hullabaloo, Daily Kos and BuzzFeed

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: Political Mojo, Balloon Juice and Prairie Weather

Eric Lichtblau / New York Times:
Economic Downturn Took a Detour at Capitol Hill

Discussion: Balloon Juice

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

Pete Kasperowicz / The Hill:

Democrat wants grants for women's restrooms in fire stations — Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.) has proposed legislation that would let fire stations around the country apply for grants of up to $100,000 to build women's restrooms, showers and changing facilities.

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

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.