Former Florida GOP leaders say voter suppression was reason they pushed new election law  —  Former GOP chair, governor - both on outs with party - say voter fraud wasn't a concern, but reducing Democratic votes was.  —  VOTE ()  —  A new Florida law that contributed to long voter lines …

A plan to dodge the ‘fiscal cliff’  —  In business I found that a challenging environment often produced our best opportunities.  Perhaps that's why I see the so-called “ fiscal cliff ” of year-end spending cuts and tax increases not as an impassable precipice but as our best opportunity to finally enact meaningful fiscal reform.

Court Rejects Plea to Block Taping of Police  —  The Supreme Court has rejected an Illinois prosecutor's plea to allow enforcement of a law aimed at stopping people from recording police officers on the job.  —  The justices on Monday left in place a lower court ruling that found …

Guest on Fox News to Discuss Benghazi Attack Is Given a Quick Exit  —  Thomas E. Ricks, the veteran defense reporter and author, said he expected his Monday morning appearance on Fox News to last about three minutes.  It ended, in fact, after 90 seconds — his last sentence was a description …

A Minimum Tax for the Wealthy  —  SUPPOSE that an investor you admire and trust comes to you with an investment idea.  “This is a good one,” he says enthusiastically.  “I'm in it, and I think you should be, too.”  —  Would your reply possibly be this?  “Well, it all depends on what my tax rate …

Filibuster fight seizes Senate  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday blasted Democratic-led efforts to reform the filibuster, warning that the changes would “poison” relations in the already-gridlocked Senate.  —  The Kentucky Republican said changing the filibuster …

Why aren't Asians Republicans?  —  Last week, I pointed out that there is no such thing as a natural social-conservative skew among Latino Americans.  But that leaves open a rejoinder, expressed by several readers: The GOP doesn't need to get all of the Latino vote, just its fair share.

ATTENTION U.S. CUSTOMERS  —  We are sorry to announce that due to legal and regulatory pressures, Intrade can no longer allow US residents to participate in our real-money prediction markets.  —  Unfortunately this means that all US residents must begin the process of closing down their Intrade accounts.

Revenge of the Reality-Based Community  —  My life on the Republican right—and how I saw it all go wrong.  —  I know that it's unattractive and bad form to say “I told you so” when one's advice was ignored yet ultimately proved correct.  But in the wake of the Republican election debacle …

The Myth of the Obama Cave-In  —  With the “fiscal cliff” looming, the conventional wisdom is that the president capitulated during the last tax cut fight.  Here's what really happened.  —  At President Barack Obama's first press conference after winning reelection, CNN's Jessica Yellin posed …

Santorum: 'I'm Open' to 2016 Run  —  Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum says he is “open” to another run for president in 2016.  Santorum was asked about a possible presidential campaign Monday at THE WEEKLY STANDARD.  —  “I'm open to it, yeah,” Santorum replied.

Israeli Spokesman in Black Face ‘Obama Style’  —  CAIRO - One of the Israeli military's most visible spokesmen is under fire for a photo he posted on his Facebook page captioned “Obama style” in which his face is smeared with mud.  —  Sacha Dratwa posted the photo in late September …

Donald Trump: Mean-Spirited GOP Won't Win Elections  —  More ways to share...  Mixx  —  Stumbled  —  LinkedIn  —  Vine  —  Buzzflash  —  Newstrust  —  Technocrati  —  Forward Article  —  Ronald Kessler reporting from Washington, D.C. — The Republican Party will continue …

Photos Show Walmart Apparel at Site of Deadly Factory Fire in Bangladesh  —  NGOs slammed Walmart over a fire that killed at least 112 workers at a Bangladesh factory supplying apparel to the retail giant.  While Walmart says it has not confirmed that it has any relationship to the factory …

CNN Poll: Two-thirds say fiscal cliff poses major problem  —  Washington (CNN) - A new national poll suggests Americans understand that the “fiscal cliff” is no joking matter.  —  Two-thirds of people questioned in a CNN/ORC International survey (PDF) say that the U.S. would face a crisis …

Young Voters Supported Obama Less, But May Have Mattered More  —  In winning reelection, Barack Obama won 60% of the vote among those younger than 30.  That was down somewhat from 2008, when Obama won nearly two-thirds (66%) of the votes of young people.  However, Obama's youth support …

Top Obama Aide On Fiscal Cliff: “This Is Going To Get Hairy”  —  Senior White House advisor David Plouffe warns Republicans and Democrats alike must take political hits in order for deal to be had.  —  Source: youtube.com  —  WASHINGTON — Obama senior adviser David Plouffe predicted …

From Man Who Insulted Muhammad, No Regret  —  LOS ANGELES — Fuming for two months in a jail cell here, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula has had plenty of time to reconsider the wisdom of making “Innocence of Muslims,” his crude YouTube movie trailer depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a bloodthirsty, philandering thug.

OVERNIGHT CAMPAIGN: Déjà vu for GOP  —  Rep. Shelley Moore Capito's (R-W.Va.) candidacy for West Virginia's Senate seat is showing signs that Republicans could face the same intra-party split that plagued them in primaries over the past two cycles.