Petraeus investigation ensnares commander of U.S., NATO troops in Afghanistan  —  PERTH, Australia — The FBI probe into the sex scandal that prompted CIA Director David Petraeus to resign has expanded to ensnare Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced early Tuesday.

Jindal: End ‘dumbed-down conservatism’  —  Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday called on Republicans to “stop being the stupid party” and make a concerted effort to reach a broader swath of voters with an inclusive economic message that pre-empts efforts to caricature the GOP as the party of the rich.

Paul Ryan: I Didn't Lose Because Of The Issues, I Lost Because Of The ‘Urban’ Vote  —  In his first interview since losing the election, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) wouldn't admit that voters rejected his economic vision and instead chalked up President Obama's victory to a large turnout of the “urban vote.”

Democrats Like a Romney Idea on Income Tax  —  WASHINGTON — With both parties positioning for difficult negotiations to avert a fiscal crisis as Congress returns for its lame-duck session, Democrats are latching on to an idea floated by Mitt Romney to raise taxes on the rich through a hard cap on income tax deductions.

Dems short on votes for filibuster reform  —  Democrats don't have the 51 votes they need in the Senate to change filibuster rules that could make it harder for the GOP minority to wield power in the upper chamber.  —  Lawmakers leading the charge acknowledge they remain short, but express optimism they'll hit their goal.

Petraeus Personally Investigated Benghazi Attack  —  In late October, Petraeus traveled to Libya to conduct his own review of the Benghazi attack that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.  —  While in Tripoli, he personally questioned the CIA station chief …

Norquist pledge takes election hit  —  Republicans might have held the House, but Grover Norquist's majority in Congress is all but gone.  —  Fewer incoming members of the House and Senate have signed the pledge against tax increases run by Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform …

Wishful Thinking  —  The roots of Romney's defeat reach much deeper into the Republican Party than many would like to admit.  —  Last week's election is open to so many interpretations, many seemingly contradictory, that it offers something for almost anyone of any ideological or partisan stripe.