Justine Sacco, Fired After Tweet on AIDS in Africa, Issues Apology  —  The communications director fired over a tweet evoking AIDS and race that was sent as she was headed to Africa has now apologized, saying she is “ashamed” for her insensitivity to the millions of people living with the virus.

AL SHARPTON'S CHICAGO TOWN HALL ERUPTS INTO REVOLT AGAINST MACHINE POLITICS  —  On Thursday, a town hall meeting hosted by Al Sharpton and the National Action Network to address gun violence exploded into a revolt against “Chicago Machine” politics, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and the aldermen in City Hall …

Democratic senator: Obama's lack of congressional friendships hurts policy efforts  —  (CNN) - The President's failure to build friendships with lawmakers has damaged his chances of finding bipartisan support for legislation, a senator from his own party said Sunday.

DC staff irked as NBC News eyes cuts  —  David Gregory, host of NBC's 'Meet the Press Inset: NBC News boss Deborah Turness  —  NBC News boss Deborah Turness is spending the last few days of the year eyeing cuts — moves that could include axing some senior on-air talent, The Post has learned.

The Atheist's Guide to Christmas  —  With the Yuletide season upon us, America is once again engaged in the standard asinine debates about the holiday: Is Santa white?  Is that decorated green perennial at the mall supposed to be called a “holiday treet”?  If you neglect to say the word …

Rand Paul walks tightrope to expand GOP's appeal  —  Rand Paul cracks jokes about smoking pot.  He says the GOP needs to bring minorities and “people with ponytails” into the fold.  The Kentucky senator doesn't back gay marriage, but he's not out beating the drums against it, either.

Pol sent staff video of ‘oral sex’  —  Move over, Vito “Gropez” — yet another Albany politician has been accused of outlandish sexual harassment by young female staffers.  —  Married-with-children Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak, 62, tormented three workers with lewd antics such as sending …

Michelle Nunn, Jason Carter hope to rechart the course of Georgia politics  —  MACON, Ga. — The two major parties here don't agree on many things.  One of them is that it is only a matter of time before Georgia goes from being a Republican stronghold to a state that is up for grabs.

Everyone Knows Obama's 2013 Was Bad, The Tough Question Is Why  —  WASHINGTON — The end of the year brings with it one of journalism's lazier crutches — the annual list of winners and losers.  —  Whatever value there is in judging a politician's standings in late December, it's limited.

Obamacare outreach hits the clubs  —  For Obamacare outreach, a Zumba class may work better than a gay bar.  —  Washington's new health insurance exchange dispatched a signup envoy to one of the city's gay clubs one recent night to get out the word about Obamacare.

Is Arkansas Still Friendly to Bill?  Clinton Tests It  —  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — When it came time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of a dam on the Little Red River this fall, former President Bill Clinton came running.  But once he arrived in the state, he had more on his mind than just public works.

Ideas From a Manger  —  PAUSE for a moment, in the last leg of your holiday shopping, to glance at one of the manger scenes you pass along the way.  Cast your eyes across the shepherds and animals, the infant and the kings.  Then try to see the scene this way: not just as a pious set-piece …

Schock, Gabbard talk Congressional Future Caucus  —  In an effort to bring members of Congress younger than 40 together on important issues, Republican Rep. Aaron Schock and Democratic Rep.Tulsi Gabbard are pushing the Congressional Future Caucus, formed by the pair to try to address issues that young voters and members care about.

Mixed Messages Add Anxiety as Deadline Nears in Health Act  —  WASHINGTON — For most Americans, Monday is the deadline to sign up for health insurance that takes effect on Jan. 1.  It was supposed to be a turning point in the troubled history of the new health care law …