Obama's CIA nominee to face tough questions about ‘enhanced interrogation’  —  President Obama's pick to head the CIA could face a rough road to confirmation in the Senate due to his involvement in the “enhanced interrogation” techniques of the George W. Bush administration.

Fast-Food Worker Hours Cut, New Health Care Law Blamed  —  A fast-food chain is slashing employee hours so franchise owners don't have to pay health benefits.  Around 100 local Wendy's workers have learned their hours are being cut.  A spokesperson says a new health care law is to blame.

Exclusive: Hagel says critics distort his views on Israel, Iran  —  Chuck Hagel said Monday an accurate assessment of his record will demonstrate “unequivocal, total support for Israel” and endorsement of tough international economic sanctions against Iran.  —  Critics have “completely distorted” …

'Don't ask, don't tell' dischargees to receive full back pay from DOD  —  In a landmark settlement, the Pentagon has agreed to give full back pay to U.S. service members who were discharged due to their sexual orientation under the military's “Don't ask, don't tell” policy.

Bill Kristol's big plans start with Hagel nomination  —  In the weeks since Election Day — as Mitt Romney faded into obscurity, John Boehner lost control of the House GOP and tea partiers turned on one another — Bill Kristol has been busy charting the future of the Republican Party.

State Rep. DebraLee Hovey to Gabby Giffords: Stay Out  —  State Rep. DebraLee Hovey, who represents Newtown and Monroe, posted this on her public FB page.  From Florida.  (Note: Hovey removed the post from her public Facebook page on Sunday afternoon).  —  Giffords visited local officials …

Why Platinum Coin Opponents Are All Wrong  —  This morning, Joe Weisenthal and I took our message in favor of minting a trillion-dollar platinum coin to “Bloomberg Surveillance,” where we were met with the usual shock and horror from hosts Tom Keene and Sara Eisen.

Watchdog to Set Loan Rules  —  The federal government's consumer watchdog plans to unveil new home-lending rules, potentially reshaping the U.S. mortgage market by ushering in more standardization and preventing a return of the exotic loans that powered the housing bubble.

New Jersey Senate President: Christie May Have ‘Prayed’ For Sandy To Come  —  TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said Monday that Gov. Chris Christie might have “prayed” for Superstorm Sandy, because it has provided cover for what Sweeney …

Score begins weekly editions for 2013—NRCC tweaks Dems on $1 trillion coin—McDonald taps McCleary for NYC mayoral campaign—Frank angles for Mass. Senate appointment—Corbett approval rating stays l  —  (eschultheis@politico.com; Twitter: @emilyrs) and (jhohmann@politico.com; Twitter: @jameshohmann)

Hugo Chavez Hit By Cuba's Surgical Strike  —  Americas: Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is dying of cancer in Havana, in a live demonstration of Cuba's vaunted socialized medical care.  He went there instead of Brazil because he wanted to make a political statement.  What irony.

Politico Lays Off Staffers Amid Restructuring … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Jim VandeHei, John Harris, Dave Catanese, Jay Westcott, Jess Kamen, Politico, Politico Cult, Politico Cutbacks, Politico Layoffs, Calderone: The Backstory, Media News  —  Editor-in-chief John Harris and executive editor Jim VandeHei

Obama Viewed as Fiscal Cliff Victor; Legislation Gets Lukewarm Reception  —  OVERVIEW  —  Barack Obama is viewed as the clear political winner in the fiscal cliff negotiations, but the legislation itself gets only a lukewarm reception from the public: As many disapprove as approve …

HAVE YOU HEARD THERE WILL BE A ‘GUN APPRECIATION DAY’?  —  Conservatives and gun rights advocates are coalescing for a pre-inaugural event that is being dubbed “Gun Appreciation Day” (GAD).  Planned for Jan. 19, the pro-Second Amendment initiative will take place just two days …

Hagel for Secretary of Defense  —  Editor's note: This post was originally published on HuffingtonPost.com.  —  Earlier today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate former Senator Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense.  —  Chuck Hagel is uniquely qualified to be Secretary of Defense.

Hillary Clinton back at work - with a football helmet  —  Hillary Clinton went back to work as secretary of state this morning and was greeted by colleagues showing off their sense of humor.  —  First off, we got the official State Department photo of her hosting the weekly meeting of assistant secretaries of state.

Just 8% Now Say They Are Tea Party Members  —  Views of the Tea Party movement are at their lowest point ever, with voters for the first time evenly divided when asked to match the views of the average Tea Party member against those of the average member of Congress.