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.”

Your daily jolt: An invitation to Allen West from the Ga. GOP  —  Though he has yet to concede, U.S. Rep. Allen West, a former Army lieutenant colonel and Republican firebrand, narrowly lost his re-election bid last week.  —  So what's in the cards for the coastal Florida congressman after his lame-duck duties are done?

Exclusive: Lee Atwater's Infamous 1981 Interview on the Southern Strategy  —  It has become, for liberals and leftists enraged by the way Republicans never suffer the consequences for turning electoral politics into a cesspool, a kind of smoking gun.  The late, legendarily brutal campaign …

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 …

Obama considering John Kerry for job of defense secretary  —  President Obama is considering asking Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) to serve as his next defense secretary, part of an extensive rearrangement of his national security team that will include a permanent replacement for former CIA director David H. Petraeus.

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 …

Tom Price Vies for House Conference Chair  —  When it comes to finding a leadership role in the next Congress, Tom Price is running out of options.  Price, a stalwart conservative House member from Georgia, is the outgoing Republican Policy Committee chairman, which ranked him fifth in the GOP House leadership.

Broad Concern about ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Consequences  —  Public Is Skeptical Deal Will Be Reached  —  OVERVIEW  —  As the president and congressional leaders begin negotiations to avoid the “fiscal cliff” deadline at the end of the year, there is widespread public concern about the possible financial consequences.

Likely Mayoral Hopeful Leaves Democratic Party  —  Adolfo Carrión Jr., a former Bronx borough president and Obama administration official, is all but certain to jump into the 2013 mayor's race, not as a Democrat, but rather as an independent seeking the Republican nomination, according to his spokesman and others.