Krauthammer on Palin: "Her Negatives Are Over 50%, She Has No Chance of Winning a General Election"

Krauthammer: "She has a very strong core constituency, outside of that, she's rather weak...Why would you want a candidate who's gonna lose against a Democrat who's gonna be vulnerable and who is also extremely ideologically ambitious"

Joe Miller Bows out in Alaska, Will Not Pursue Further Legal Action

Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Republican Joe Miller is ending his fight over Alaska's U.S. Senate seat, conceding the race to his bitter rival, incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Miller's decision, announced Friday at a news conference in Anchorage, comes one day after the state certified Murkowski as the winner.

He had the option of appealing a federal judge's ruling or lodging a formal contest to the election results. While he said he believes he is right about the law, he said it was "very unlikely" an appeals court would side with him and that he had to accept "practical realities."

Ultimately, Miller said, "the courts have spoken."

Three courts ruled against Miller, who argued the state's handling of the election and vote count for Murkowski was not in line with the law.

Miller has not called Murkowski to congratulate her on the win, said his spokesman, Randy DeSoto. To say that she'd won it fair and square, DeSoto said, "is not in his thinking."

Friday's announcement ends what started as a promising campaign for Miller, a tea party favorite who upset Murkowski in the GOP primary, in his first bid for

statewide public office.

He was widely seen as the favorite for winning in the fall election. But then Murkowski re-emerged as a wild card, launching a longshot write-in campaign.

GOP Strategist Ed Rollins Says NJ Governor Chris Christie's Absense During Blizzard is Unacceptable

Rollins: "I'm a big Christie fan...But in time of crisis and this snowstorm has been a crisis, you've gotta be at the helm...He should have been on an airplane, he should have been back here"

Christie: "I was not gonna look at my children and say no, we're not going"

Obama To Ring in New Year With a Family Talent Show

staradvertiser

President Barack Obama will ring in 2011 with friendly competition at his family's annual New Year's Eve talent show.

The White House is keeping Obama's talent a closely guarded secret. Several friends and family members will join the Obamas at their rented oceanfront home in Kailua.

Obama has stayed under the radar for much of his Hawaii vacation, mostly spending his time at the gym, golf course or beach. The White House says he has been reading three books: Lou Cannon's biography of Ronald Reagan, "President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime"; and two novels, "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet", by David Mitchell, and "Our Kind of Traitor", by John le Carre.

I wonder if Obama will be having any drinks tonight? Remember, back in March his team of doctors recommended 'moderation in alcohol intake'

Obama By The Numbers for 2010

Mark Knoller, the best numbers man in Washington


political hotsheet

Vacation trips: 6 (all or part of 32 days)
-Since taking office: 10 spanning 58 days

Foreign trips: 6 trips to 8 countries spanning 22 days.
-Since taking office: 16 trips to 25 countries spanning 70 days.

Flights on Air Force One: 172
-Since taking office: 328

Flights on Marine One: 196
-Since taking office: 386

Unemployment Rates:
-January 8 2010: 10 percent.
-December 3, 2010: 9.8 percent.

National Debt in 2010: Up $1.56-trillion
-January 1, 2010: $12.311-trillion
-December 28, 2010: $13.871-trillion

Bills signed in 2010: 203.
-Since taking office: 329.

Visits to Camp David:
-In 2010: 4 visits, 8 days.
-Since taking office: 15 visits: 35 days.

Recreation:
-Golf: 29 rounds in 2010
-Since taking office: 57 rounds.
-Basketball: 20 basketball outings.
-Since taking office: 28

Interviews: 107 in 2010
-Since taking office: 254

57 rounds of golf since taking office? Wow...

4 Police Officers and a Doctor Killed By Gunmen Linked to Drug Cartels in Monterrey

AP video

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Gunmen believed to be linked to drug cartels killed four police officers and a doctor in apparently coordinated attacks in and around the northern Mexican city of Monterrey, authorities said Thursday.

Three officers were wounded in Wednesday's attacks, said Jorge Domene, a spokesman for the security council in northern Nuevo Leon state, where Monterrey is located.

In one of the attacks, gunmen opened fire on a Monterrey police station, killing a medical doctor who was administering tests to employees at the station and wounding three officers, Domene said.

In two additional, separate attacks carried out within minutes of each other in the Monterrey suburb of Guadalupe, gunmen killed two police officers, a man and a woman.

"Yesterday's events clearly represent acts by organized crime trying to intimidate or reverse the actions that authorities have taken ... to counter the violence that has been unleashed in our state," Domene told a news conference.

Monterrey, Mexico's third-largest city, has been rocked by drug-cartel turf battl

'Truther' Television Crew Gets into a Confrontation With Cops Guarding Obama in Hawaii (Video)

"What went down was something that should not happen here in the United States of America"....Kitv reports

blaze video
The crew, part of the show “We Are Change Hawaii,” initially drove up to the president’s residence but was turned away and left without incident. They kept their camera rolling, however, and filmed vehicle searches as they were driving around. At a stoplight, the crew noticed they were being followed, and after pulling into a gas station, they were instantly surrounded by multiple officers and police vehicles.

Deadly Tornado Rips Through Arkansas (Video)

New video


cbsnews.com

CINCINNATI, Arkansas - Emergency response officials in Arkansas have confirmed at least three people are dead and several more injured after a tornado blew through the tiny town of Cincinnati in western Washington County Friday morning, reports KFSM-TV.

Five people are in critical condition at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.

Dispatcher Josh Howerton told the Associated Press that the storm caused damage along State Highway 59 in downtown Cincinnati and through most of the western portion of Washington County. He says there are "lots of injuries."

Cincinnati is located near the Oklahoma state line, about 20 miles west of Fayetteville.

KFSM-TV's Photos of the Deadly Storm

Rick Johnson, the deputy emergency manager for Washington County, says the same storm system caused damage in nearby Tontitown. Johnson says initial emergency responders had trouble reaching the damaged areas because of downed power lines.

Officials say they were several people trapped in buildings that were damaged by the storm. Others are missing. Several homes and buildings - including the Cinncinati Fire Department, which was completely destroyed - have been heavily damaged.

Video Captures Emergency Plane Evacuation in Colorado Springs

This was the plane that lost an engine during it's flight

Delta Flight 1921 landed at Colorado Springs Airport.

The airport said the 225 passengers were evacuated on the plane's emergency slides as a precaution because the Boeing 757 had hot brakes following the landing.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a fire was reported in the plane's main landing gear.

The airport said two passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation and were taken to the hospital.

Governor Chris Christie Returns, Seeks Federal Disaster Aid For Snow Storm

Snow covered street in Hoboken, NJ

CBS2

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Back from his Florida vacation, Governor Chris Christie has this week’s snow storm on his to-do list. Christie is signing off on a formal letter to FEMA today requesting federal disaster aid for expenses racked up during the blizzard.

Christie has been the target of criticism over not cutting his vacation short as the state struggled to deal with the storm that dumped up to two feet of snow on parts of New Jersey and left hundreds stranded on the roads.

The www.whereschristie.com site featured photos from the governor’s out-of-state campaign trips for Republican candidates altered to depict Chris Christie in a red-and-white stocking cap a la “Where’s Waldo?”

The site was launched by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a Washington-based liberal advocacy group.

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said the governor was briefed on the storm situation and emergency services functioned well in the governor’s absence.

Blizzard Causes a Near 100 Car Pileup in North Dakota

Video

A strong winter storm packing high winds and snow is being blamed for a massive crash on Interstate 94 between Mapleton and Raymond, N.D.

Officials have closed I-94 and I-29 because of poor visibility and road conditions.

CNN Poll: Wikileaks Has Few Fans in the United States

Probably because Wikileaks is targeted at the United States


politicalticker
It appears the website WikiLeaks has few fans in the United States.A just-released CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll:

44. As you may know, a website called Wikileaks has displayed thousands of confidential U.S. government documents concerning U.S. diplomatic and military policies. Do you approve or disapprove of the Wikileaks website displaying these documents?


Numbers not much different between Democrats and Republicans

CNN's Ed Henry: Feeding the Presidential Family (Video)

Ed Henry at Alan Wong's restaurant in Honolulu where Obama dined last night. Henry says security dominates everything, the restaurant is only given 2 hours notice that the President is on the way, then military chefs come into the kitchen and oversee every moment of food preparation

Iraq: Militants Target at Least 4 Christian Homes With Grenades and Bombs, Killing 2

4 seperate attacks on Christian homes from the religion of peace...2 grenades were tossed inside the home of one family, bombs were planted at 3 other houses of Christians living in Baghdad

Associated Press

BAGHDAD — Militants attacked at least four Christian homes Thursday night with a combination of grenades and bombs, killing two people and sending fear into the already terrified tiny Christian community.

It was the first attack against the country's Christian community since al-Qaida-linked militants last week threatened a wave of violence against them. Christians went so far as to tone down their Christmas celebrations in what was a peaceful holiday, but the attacks Thursday night demonstrated the intent of militants to keep up their deadly pressure on the Christian community.

In the deadliest attack, assailants in southwestern Baghdad threw two grenades inside the home of a Christian family, killing two people and injuring five more, police said.

In a different neighborhood in eastern Baghdad, militants planted a bomb near a Christian home. Two people were injured in that attack.

Then another bomb planted near a Christian house in western Baghdad exploded, injuring one member of the family as well as a civilian who was driving by, police said.

Iraqi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi confirmed that two people were killed Thursday evening; he said a bomb planted near the fence of a Christian home in southern Baghdad also exploded but he had no information about casualties in that incident.

Twenty-five Democratic State Legislators Have Switched to GOP

Good thing the new media is out there, what's the chance you'd see this story on the Nightly News?

examiner

GOPAC chairman Frank Donatelli just sent out a press release crowing that 25 Democratic legislators have now switched parties and become Republican.

"We are pleased with the decision of these men and women to leave the Democratic Party and join with us. They are adding to the ranks of Americans who want to put result-oriented ideas into action to get us moving in the right direction. Each of these legislators’ insight, experience, and commitment to common-sense, conservative policies will make our Party stronger," Donatelli said.

Note that when Lousiana's Representative Noble Ellington switched parties a short time ago it actually gave Republicans control of the state legislature for the first time since the Reconstruction. Here's the full list of legislators that have switched:

Ex-MSNBC Host David Shuster Explains Departure, Slams Fox News, Glenn Beck

At 5:05 mark a caller asks Shuster about Fox News, Shuster says he likes Shep Smith of Fox calling him a "terrific journalist." He says there's ample evidence that Fox News engages in "partisan propaganda." Shuster says "MSNBC will never be as liberal as Fox News is conservative." At 7:30 Shuster goes after Beck for slamming George Soros

After 'Season of Progress' Obama Sees No Bounce in Approval Rating

politico.com

The spate of legislative accomplishments in the lame-duck session celebrated by the White House appears to have had little effect on President Obama’s approval rating, according to Gallup’s latest tracking poll.

Between Dec. 26 and 28 – soon after Obama arrived in Hawaii for his Christmas vacation – Obama’s approval rating was 47 percent, two points lower than his rating from the previous week, Gallup reports. He has averaged a 46 percent rating since November.

Before leaving for Hawaii, Obama called an end-of-the-year press conference to recall some of Congress’s final moves, like repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” ratifying the START pact with Russia and passing his tax-cut plan with Republicans. He labeled the activity “a season of progress for the American people.”

Approval rating (one month chart)

Jesse Jackson: Bill Clinton Should Call Off Campaigning For Rahm

2 Mayoral candidates and now Jesse Jackson tell Clinton to stay out of it



wgntv

CHICAGO — The two most prominent black candidates for mayor of Chicago met Thursday night to examine the state of their respective campaigns against the presumed front runner, Rahm Emanuel.

Congressman Danny Davis and Carol Moseley Braun talked on Christmas Eve and again Wednesday night.

Rev. Jesse Jackson was there, too. Jackson tells WGN-TV, there must eventually be just a single black candidate who appeals to voters of all races if there is to be any hope of electing a black mayor.

Jackson says Rahm Emanuel's candidacy will be well-funded; but he says, mayor Harold Washington proved that a candidate with a positive message can beat one with money.

Jackson also called upon former President Bill Clinton to reconsider his decision to visit Chicago and campaign for Emanuel next month.

Jackson says African-Americans and Hispanics were among Clinton's biggest supporters; and he says, rather than offend his most loyal friends, Clinton should call off his campaign trip

Family Pays $900 Dollars For Cab Ride Home During Blizzard

fox8

ELMONT, NY — A $900 cab ride may sound like highway robbery to you, but not to Emilian Emeagwali.

She and her five children didn't ride in a luxury car, instead they were crammed in a mini-van for 13 hours.

After spending a Christmas vacation at Disney World, Emeagwali, who has a physical therapy practice, couldn't afford to miss days of work, camping out at Orlando Airport.

But with no flights to JFK or LaGuardia, she decided to get her family on a flight to Buffalo, figuring they could take a bus back to their Elmont home. When they landed, buses were no longer running.

"They couldn't even assure us they would have one the next day," said Emilian Emeagwali.

So an airport cabbie offered to drive the family home for 11 hundred bucks. Emeagwali bargained him down to 9 hundred and they set out right in the middle of the blizzard.

Chuka was nervous they might crash or "the car might break down and we would be stranded." Thirteen hours later they made it home.

The working mom is now trying to get Delta to pay for the cab ride

Texas Clerk Gets into a Gunfight With 2 Armed Robbers (Video)

"I think I got one of them"

Clerk: "This place has got a good history of being robbed before so I expected it"

Christine O'Donnell: "There's Been No Impermissible Use of Campaign Funds Whatsoever"

O'Donnell: This is a "thug politic tactic"


abcnews.com

Former Tea Party Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell defended herself today against a report that the federal government was investigating her for misuse of campaign funds, saying the investigation was politically motivated.

"There's been no impermissible use of campaign funds whatsoever," O'Donnell told "Good Morning America" today. "You have to look at this whole thug politic tactic for what it is. ... I'm confident that we will be cleared of any charges.

"You don't need a tipster to show that this was politically motivated. We were informed that the Delaware political establishment was going to use every resource available to them, including launching phony investigations ... tying me up with lawsuits to make sure I can't move forward politically," she said. "I even expect more things to come, that's their tactic."

Bomb Hidden on a Parked Motorcycle Explodes Outside Court Buildings in Athens, Greece

Photo athensnews.gr

Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece – A bomb hidden on a parked motorcycle exploded outside two court buildings in central Athens on Thursday, damaging cars and shattering windows but leaving no one hurt, officials said.

The powerful rush-hour blast occurred at 8:20 a.m. (0620 GMT) following a warning telephone call to a newspaper and private TV station, authorities said. Police had evacuated the targeted buildings, which are used for administrative purposes. State health officials confirmed that no one was injured.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion fell on Greek militant groups, which have stepped up attacks in the past two years. A group of suspects facing trial next month.

The blast occurred in a densely populated area in the city's Ambelokipi district, shattering windows and nearby shop storefronts, and damaging cars. It sent up a cloud of smoke that was visible across the city.

U. S. Revokes Venezuelan Envoy's Visa

This comes after Hugo Chavez withdrew his approval of the Obama administration's choice to represent the U.S. in Caracas

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he will not accept the new U.S. ambassador because of comments he made about the morale in Venezuela's military and Colombian rebels that are finding refuge in Venezuela

foxnews.com

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has revoked the visa of the Venezuelan ambassador to the United States in a retaliatory move after Venezuela rejected the U.S. choice to be the next envoy to the South American country.

A diplomat familiar with the situation said the decision to revoke Bernardo Alvarez Herrera's visa came after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez withdrew his approval of the administration's choice to represent the U.S. in Caracas, Larry Palmer. The diplomat said Alvarez is currently not in the U.S.

The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The State Department earlier Wednesday declined to comment on Chavez's moves, citing visa privacy concerns, but said Venezuela would face consequences for its refusal to accept the choice of Palmer.

Famous Marine Drill Sergeant is No Fan of President Obama (Video)

This is great, Retired Marine Corps drill sergeant R. Lee Ermey blasts Barack Obama at a benefit. You'll recognize who it is right at the beginning

blaze

Retired Marine Corps drill sergeant and actor R. Lee Ermey took an opportunity to rail against the Obama administration during a Dec. 10 appearance on Roe & Roeper’s Miracle on Indianapolis Blvd. Holiday Extravaganza live broadcast to benefit the USO

Former Shell President Tells Fox News Megyn Kelly Why The U.S. Could See $5 a Gallon Gas in the Future

"This Administration is showing every evidence of punting...They're are not gonna deal with the nation's energy needs in terms of meeting consumer appetite for the daily ration of fuel oil...Everyday Americans consume 20 million barrels of oil, if we don't produce it, we have to import it"

From the Fox News Channel

Dennis Kucinich is Worried His District Will Be Eliminated Because of Redistricting

The state of Ohio lost 2 congressional seats after the 2010 census and if this clown's seat gets eliminated it would be a great day

politicalticker

The state of Ohio will lose two congressional seats thanks to the latest U.S. Census figures, and liberal stalwart Dennis Kucinich is worried his seat is on the chopping block.

In an e-mail to supporters Wednesday, the seven-term Democratic congressman and two-time presidential candidate says the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature is likely to eliminate his heavily Democratic Cleveland-area district.

But Kucinich says he’s not just going to stand by while that happens.

“I will not wait until a new Ohio map is produced to begin this crucial discussion of the consequences of congressional redistricting,” writes Kucinich. “I will not wait until the Ohio Legislature produces a new map to start thinking of the options. The question will not be: Who is my opponent? The question will be: Where is my district? Seriously.”

He’s also calling on supporters for ideas on how to proceed:

“We are going to have to prepare for a different kind of election, possibly in a different place because my district may be eliminated. We are going to have to organize in a different way, now. The question will remain: Where? This discussion is consequential. Please participate by providing your insight and advice.”

Federal Authorities Open Up a Criminal Investigation of Republican Christine O'Donnell

The Feds investigation is trying to determine if the former Senate candidate broke the law by using campaign money to pay personal expenses

Associated Press

BALTIMORE — Federal authorities have opened a criminal investigation of Delaware Republican Christine O'Donnell to determine if the former Senate candidate broke the law by using campaign money to pay personal expenses, according to a person with knowledge of the investigation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to protect the identity of a client who has been questioned as part of the probe. The case, which has been assigned to two federal prosecutors and two FBI agents in Delaware, has not been brought before a grand jury.

Matt Moran, O'Donnell's former campaign manager, did not immediately respond Wednesday to questions from The AP. He said earlier this month that the campaign had not been contacted about any investigation and criticized what he called "lies and false-attack rumors."

Mayor Bloomberg : "We Did Not Do As Good a Job As We Wanted to Do"

AP: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg talks to reporters

CNN's Ed Henry Tries to Learn The Hula Dance (Video)

CNN WH correspondent Ed Henry covering the President in Hawaii is shown the Hula Dance, this is bad...

AP-GfK Poll: By a 2 to 1 Ratio Baby Boomer Believe They Won't Be Able To Rely on Medicare Thoughout Their Retirement

43% say they don't expect to depend on Medicare, only 20% say it's secure

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The first baby boomers will be old enough to qualify for Medicare Jan. 1, and many fear the program's obituary will be written before their own.

A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds that baby boomers believe by a ratio of 2-to-1 they won't be able to rely on the giant health insurance plan throughout their retirement.

The boomers took a running dive into adolescence and went on to redefine work and family, but getting old is making them nervous.

Now, forty-three percent say they don't expect to be able to depend on Medicare forever, while only 20 percent think their Medicare is secure. The rest have mixed feelings.

Yet the survey also shows a surprising willingness among adults of all ages to sacrifice to preserve Medicare benefits that most Americans say they deserve after years of paying taxes into the system at work.

Take the contentious issue of Medicare's eligibility age, fixed at 65, while the qualifying age for Social Security is rising gradually to 67.

Initially, 63 percent of boomers in the poll dismissed the idea of raising the eligibility age to keep Medicare afloat financially. But when the survey forced them to choose between raising the age or cutting benefits, 59 percent said raise the age and keep the benefits.

With Gas Prices Well Over $3 a Gallon In Some Parts of the Country, Where Are the 'Pain at the Pump' Stories?

What a difference a president makes. On November 5, 2007 gas prices topped $3 a gallon for the first time ever, the media had stories about how it was hitting people right in the wallet. We're not seeing too many of those stories today with prices well over $3, the price was $1.81 when Obama took office. Here's a few headlines of that same price during the Bush presidency

Mayoral Candidate Slams Bill Clinton for Endorsing Rahm: He's Trying to "Thwart the Legitimate Political Aspirations of Chicago's Black Community"

Congressman Danny Davis slams Bill Clinton and so does Carol Moseley Braun, both are running for Mayor of Chicago. Clinton has endorsed Rahn Emanuel and also said he would campaign for him. Davis is asking Clinton to cancel his plans to campaign for Emanuel

myfoxchicago

Chicago - Two candidates for mayor told former President Bill Clinton to cancel plans to campaign for their front-running rival, Rahm Emanuel. Congressman Danny Davis accused Mr. Clinton of trying “to thwart the legitimate political aspirations of Chicago’s Black community.

Former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun said it would a “gaffe” by the former president on a par with comments Mr. Clinton made during the 2008 Presidential primary season. Some supporters of Barack Obama claimed Clinton had belittled the then-Illinois State Senator by comparing Obama’s campaign for President to Rev. Jesse Jackson’s quest for the White House.

Braun told Fox Chicago News. “I think he’d be more sensitive than to weigh in on a race like this, from afar, given the support that community has given him in the past.”

Braun’s comments came after a similar warning issued by Rep. Davis (D-Illinois.) He issued a statement reacting to the news that Clinton would soon visit Chicago to campaign for Emanuel, his former fundraiser and White House political director.

“I am seriously concerned and disturbed by press reports that former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to come to Chicago to campaign vor Rahm Emanuel….

The African-American community has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the Clintons, however, it appears as though some of that relationship may be fractured and perhaps even broken should former President Clinton come to town and participate overtly in efforts to thwart the legitimate political aspirations of Chicago’s Black community.”

Tucker Carlson: "Michael Vick Killed Dogs...I Think Personally He Should Have Been Executed For That, He Wasn't" (Video)

Video from mediaite, I watched this live tonight and did a double take, Vick should have been executed? What is he talking about? After watching it a few times, I think he means it...It's right at the beginning of this video

Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America Pull Out of CPAC Conference

Add them to a long list that are saying no to CPAC because of the invitation of the gay activists group GOProud


worldnetdaily

Two of the nation's premier moral issues organizations, the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America, are refusing to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in February because a homosexual activist group, GOProud, has been invited.

"We've been very involved in CPAC for over a decade and have managed a couple of popular sessions. However, we will no longer be involved with CPAC because of the organization's financial mismanagement and movement away from conservative principles," said Tom McClusky, senior vice president for FRC Action.

"CWA has decided not to participate in part because of GOProud," CWA President Penny Nance told WND.

FRC and CWA join the American Principles Project, American Values, Capital Research Center, the Center for Military Readiness, Liberty Counsel, and the National Organization for Marriage in withdrawing from CPAC. In November, APP organized a boycott of CPAC over the participation of GOProud.

Stranded on the Tarmac for 11 Hours (Video)

CNN video: An airline passenger describes what it was like being stuck on the tarmac at JFK International Airport for 11 hours

Federal Judge Tosses Out Joe Miller Lawsuit Saying He Would Not Second Guess the Alaska Supreme Court

adn.com

A federal judge today dismissed Republican Joe Miller's federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the Nov. 2 election, clearing the way for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski to be certified as the winner.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline issued a 14-page order this afternoon in which he said Miller wasn't raising any federal issues that he needed to resolve. He ordered Miller's entire federal case dismissed. Beistline wrote that he would not second guess the Alaska Supreme Court, which already had ruled against Miller.

He also lifted a block on the election's certification that he had previously imposed. State officials have said the election would be certified Thursday if the block were lifted.

What a sad, sad performance by Joe Miller. Here's a man who should have wiped the floor with Lisa Murkowski, but he got beat bad, by 10K votes. The first thing he should have done was what the Alaska GOP suggested in November, end his campaign. He could have picked up the pieces and live to fight another day, perhaps run against Democrat Mark Begich who is up in 2014 (Ted Stevens old seat). But instead he continued down this dead-end road nearly 2 months after the election. I'll say again, if Joe Miller's get out the vote effort was as strong as his post-election challenge, he would be Alaska's new senator right now

Charlie Rangel on Hardball: "The Best Republican is Going to Be Which One is Following the Teabaggers" (Video)

Actually Charlie calls them the "teabaggers" twice in under one minute. Real nice there Chuck...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

RANGEL: "They're not going to win with that and will give us an opportunity once again to explain the benefits of it and I think we have so many moderate Republicans that are scared to death of the tea party pushing them right over the cliff.

You know, in every movement, I don't care if it's black or Irish, there's always somebody who says I am more for the program than this guy and the teabagers set the standards as to what you're going to fund and not fund, what taxes you're going to have and not have and so the best republican is going to be which one is following the teabaggers and that's going to be a rough road to do.

Voters Still Pin Bad Economy More On Bush Than Obama

Still Bush's fault nearly 2 years into the Obama presidency


rasmussenreports

Nearly two years into the Obama presidency, voters still believe the nation’s continuing economic problems are due more to President George W. Bush than to the policies of the current occupant of the White House.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters think current economic problems are due primarily to the recession which began under the Bush administration. Forty-two percent (42%) say Obama’s policies are more to blame.

Other than in late July of this year when voters were evenly divided over who to blame, most have blamed the Bush administration for the bad economy since regular surveying began on the question in May 2009.

Blame for Bush has run as high as 62% in May of last year to a low of 47% this past June and July. For Obama, blame has ranged from 27% in May 2009 to 48% in July 2010.

Carbon Monoxide Kills 5 Teenagers at a Miami Motel

A friend said that their car was having engine trouble and they kept it running in a garage under the motel room, the door to the staircase leading up to the room was left open. The friend said they probably left the engine running so they wouldn't get stuck with a car that wouldn't start


Associated Press

MIAMI – Five young men who police said died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a South Florida motel room were constant companions who acted like brothers and even went shoe shopping together before Christmas so they all would have the same pair, relatives said Tuesday.

They were celebrating a birthday Sunday night when they were overcome by carbon monoxide from a car they left running in a garage under their Hialeah motel room, police said. The teens' friends told police that the car was having engine trouble, and they had probably left it running so that they wouldn't get stuck with a car that wouldn't start, police spokesman Carl Zogby said.

Authorities identified the dead as Juchen C. Martial, 19; Peterson Nazon, 17; Jonas Antenor, 17; Jean Pierre Ferdinand, 16; and Evans Charles, 19. All lived within blocks of each other in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood.

The group rented the room Sunday around 9 p.m. to celebrate Martial's 19th birthday.

Nazon's family said they had seen one of the teens driving the car just before Christmas. When the car showed up in news reports after the five bodies were found Monday, Nazon's mother knew something was wrong. She had been calling her youngest child's phone all morning, but he never answered

Less than 50% of Republicans Say They are ‘Likely’ to Support Palin in GOP Primary

New numbers from a CNN poll

dailycaller

According to a CNN/Opinion Research poll released on Tuesday, only 49 percent of Republican voters say they are likely to support Sarah Palin if she runs for her party’s presidential nomination.

“That’s a huge 18-point drop since December of 2008, when two-thirds of GOPers said they were likely to support Palin. It also puts her well behind potential rivals Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, and a bit behind Newt Gingrich as well,” said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

When asked if they would back Palin in a Republican primary fight, 23 percent of respondents said they were “Very Likely” to do so, while 26 percent answered “Somewhat Likely.”

Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they would be either very or somewhat likely to back Mike Huckabee. Mitt Romney came in second place, with 59 percent saying they were either very or somewhat likely to support him in the Republican primary. .

Surprisingly, Palin didn’t even do especially well among self-described Tea Party supporters. Although 62 percent said they were very or somewhat likely to back her, 66 percent said they were very or somewhat likely to support Romney, while 72 percent said the same of Huckabee. Sixty-one percent said the same of Gingrich.

George W. Bush 'Decision Points' #1 Again on NYTimes for 6th Straight Week, Palin Drops to #10

nytimes.com/best-sellers

Sarah Palin's 'America by Heart' drops to #10

Weekly Standard: Media ignores Bush success with 'Decision Points'

Arizona Congressman Assaulted and Tied Up on Christmas is Speaking Out (Video)

"I yelled as loud as I could to get her attention"...Arizona congressman Frank Pratt talks to the local ABC affiliate about the incident on Christmas.
After beating the congresmann, the man drove off in his SUV.

PRATT: "I'm gonna get over it, I'll be back"

Raw Video: Stranded At Newark For 72 Hours

No options...

AP: Stranded passengers turned terminals into open-air hotels as they waited for planes to take off and land on plowed runways after a massive blizzard sucker-punched the northeastern U.S. during one of the busiest travel days of the year. (Dec. 28)

Iraqi P.M. Maliki: U.S. Troops Leaving Iraq in 2011 is "Sealed" and Not Open to Change

"The last American soldier will leave Iraq"


foxnews.com

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is getting ahead of himself by staking a hardline position on eliminating U.S. troop presence within a year, experts say, because the country's security is still fragile and easily could deteriorate as troops withdrawal.

Maliki, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, said the so-called Status of Forces Agreement calling for U.S. troops to leave next year is "sealed" and not open to change, meaning U.S. troops will not be allowed in Iraq after 2011 under virtually any circumstance.

"The last American soldier will leave Iraq," he said, expressing confidence that once-troublesome militias were being folded into the political system and dispelling concerns that his country would drift toward Iran. Maliki called the idea of such an alliance with its historical enemy "impossible."

But stability remains elusive with the pullout looming. The Maliki comments were published a day after twin suicide bombings hit a government building in Iraq's western Anbar province. The attack was the second in less than a month on the compound.

According to one report, family members of security workers killed in the Dec. 12 attack had just arrived at the building to pick up compensation when the attacker detonated a car bomb by the main gate. A second bomb was detonated after the first attack drew people to the scene. An Iraqi official told Reuters that 17 people were killed, while dozens were reported wounded.

73% Fear Terrorists More Than a Nuclear Attack

74% believe it’s at least somewhat likely there will be another terrorist attack (man caused disaster) in the United States in the next year.


rasmussenreports

Three-out-of-four U.S. voters (73%) fear a terrorist threat more than a nuclear attack. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 16% believe a potential nuclear attack is a greater threat to the United States.

Last week, by a 71-26 vote, the Senate ratified a nuclear arms agreement known as the START treaty. Half (49%) of the nation’s voters wanted the Senate to confirm the START agreement even though just 27% believe Russia will honor its terms. However, just 30% were following news on the topic Very Closely.

These results come at a time when confidence in the War on Terror is at the lowest level in three years. However, the president earns higher ratings for his handling of national security matters than he does on the economy.

Polling conducted in October found that 74% believe it’s at least somewhat likely there will be another terrorist attack in the United States in the next year. That figure includes 35% who see a potential attack as Very Likely

CNN Ed Henry: White House "Laughed Off" Rumor of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Being Replaced by Bill Richardson

"The White House is just laughing that off"...Which is exactly what I'd expect the White House to say. Video report: Ed Henry is asked about those rumors that are surfacing

Obama Spends Rainy Day in Hawaii at Bowling Alley

khon2

President Barack Obama is passing the time on a cloudy, rainy Hawaiian day with a family trip to the bowling alley.

The president, 12-year-old Malia and 9-year-old Sasha arrived at the bowling alley at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Monday afternoon.

It's the same base where the president plays golf and where the first family uses a private beach.

The Obamas haven't had much in the way of beach weather since the president arrived here Saturday. More rain is forecast throughout the week.

Flashback 2008: Obama on the campaign trail goes to a local bowling alley in Pennsylvania and bowls a 37

Alvin Greene To Run For Seat in South Carolina's House of Representatives

After losing the South Carolina Senate race 62-28 to Jim DeMint (the man who started the recession) Alvin Greene will try again...

politico.com

Alvin Greene lost his bid for the U.S. Senate last month but he isn’t giving up on his hopes of winning an election.

The South Carolina Democrat filed on Christmas Eve to run for a seat in the state’s House of Representatives that belonged to a woman who died earlier this year. Greene paid $165 to enter the race just five minutes after the filing period opened, the Clarendon County Democratic Party confirmed to the AP. A Democratic primary is scheduled for Feb. 15, and the special election will be April 5

Greene has also said that he is weighing a run for president. He told POLITICO last month that he had called the South Carolina’s Democratic Party to ask how much it would cost to run for president and was considering a run. “Maybe. I’ll have to see.”

Greene, who was an unemployed veteran when he first filed for the Senate earlier this year, is facing misdemeanor and felony charges for pornography and is currently free on bond.

White House Releases Photo of Obama's Rare Visit to a Church

The photo of the day at whitehouse.gov, Pete hasn't had to take too many of these

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with daughters Sasha and Malia, sing during services at St. Michael's Chapel at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii, Dec. 26, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Time-Lapse Photography Captures Snow Storm in New Jersey (Video)

New Jersey being one of the areas hardest hit, this photographer took a picture of the snow coming down every 5 minutes for 20 hours. He ended up making it onto CNN. This snow makes it more than half way up his patio umbrella

Obama Calls Philadelphia Eagles’ Owner And Applauds Team for Giving Michael Vick a Second Chance

Should a sitting President be doing this?

cbsnews.com

President Obama reportedly approves of the second chance Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is getting this year, just a year removed from serving 18 months in federal prison on charges related to a dog fighting ring.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports reports that Mr. Obama recently called Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to praise the team for giving Vick a chance.

Lurie said Mr. Obama told him that "So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance," King reported on SI.com.

Lurie said Mr. Obama was "passionate about it," adding that the president said "it's never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail. And he was happy that we did something on such a national stage that showed our faith in giving someone a second chance after such a major downfall.'

Vick joined the Eagles last year following his release from prison, but didn't play much. But he took the starting quarterback job early this year, and has led the team to the playoffs while compiling numbers some think are worthy of him winning the league's MVP award.

gatewaypundit: "I like watching Vick play football. But was it a good idea for the president to insert himself into this controversy?… No"

Ditto...

Senator Elect Rand Paul: Attach Spending Cuts to Every 'Major' Bill

Cut as you go...

thehill.com

GOP Sen.-elect Rand Paul said Monday that he wants to attach spending cuts to every piece of major legislation that comes before the Senate next year.

Paul (Ky.) — who won his race with strong support from the Tea Party movement — said that he will "pressure" Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to take simple majority votes on spending cut amendments in the next Congress.

"I think that every piece of major legislation that goes forward from now on needs to have attached to it spending cuts," Paul said during a podcast with conservative blogger Ben Domenech. If Congress is serious about the nation's ballooning debt and deficits, "We have to be serious and introduce spending cuts.

"That's one thing that I will do when I am there, is introduce it at every opportunity and we will have votes on it," he said.

Many political observers have taken a keen interest in Paul to see if his priorities next year will clash with those of Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, who also happens to be Kentucky's other senator.

Ed Rendell Not Happy With Eagles-Vikings Game Being Cancelled Because of Weather, "It's Ridiculous, This Is Football"

Rendell talks to Fox News and says the reason the game is not being played tonight is because of money, "As and eagle's fan, I am ticked off about this"...The country has become more and more "wussified"

"Vince Lombardi would be laughing at us"

Blizzard Makes Streets in New York City Impassable (Video)

On the street in New York

Gallup: Obama and Hillary Clinton Top List For Most Admired in 2010

This shows that Americans can really admire people who lie

gallup

PRINCETON, NJ -- President Barack Obama is Americans' Most Admired Man of 2010, substantially ahead of the former presidents, iconic religious leaders, and others who fill out the top 10 list. Obama first became Americans' Most Admired Man in 2008, shortly after his election as the nation's 44th president, and has held the title since then

Most admired women: Hillary 17%


Men: Barack Obama 22%

Glenn Beck came in at #8 in the Gallup poll

CNN Poll: 54% Oppose New Health Care Law, 43% Favor

cdn.turner

Washington - As a crucial component of the nation's new health care law requiring all Americans to buy insurance faces an uncertain fate in federal courts, a new national poll indicates that a majority of Americans oppose that provision in the bill Congress passed earlier this year.

And a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday also indicates that a majority of the public still opposes the new law, but by a smaller margin than earlier this year.

According to the poll, six in ten oppose the requirement that all Americans get health insurance, with 38 percent saying they favor the provision.

"Among Democrats, 54 percent favor the insurance requirement, but more than six in ten Independents and Republicans oppose it," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Women are more likely than men to support that provision, but even among women, 53 percent oppose it."

As you may know, a bill that makes major changes to the country's health care system became law earlier this year. Based on what you have read or heard about that legislation, do you generally favor or generally oppose it?


Opposition to requiring Americans to get health insurance now at an all-time high of 60%

Karl Rove: Obama is Waiting for the Economy to Heal Itself, Then He's Gonna Take Credit For It

Rove: "All the spending, all this government interference, health care reform, all the regulations from EPA, they have retarded not aided economic grown and as a result kept Americans on the sidelines and in the unemployment lines"


Rove: Economic policies of Reagan and Obama are completely opposite. The result? In the first 2 years in office, the unemployment rate jumped 10% under President Obama but under Ronald Reagan the unemployment rate dropped 30% after 2 years

Joe Klein: Glenn Beck Is A “Telecharlatan” With A “Phony, Professorial Air”

How many times does this make? Klein once again tries to smear Glenn Beck, this is from the Chris Matthews Show

Obamas Make Rare Trip to Church While in Hawaii

washingtonpost

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- President Barack Obama and his family are making a rare Sunday trip to church.

The Obamas arrived at St. Michael's Chapel mid-morning. The church is located on the Marine Corps base where Obama frequently golfs and goes to the gym during his Hawaiian vacations.

The Obamas were seated in the first row of the chapel as a band played "Joy to the World" and parishioners clapped. The celebrant said he was especially thankful this Sunday to have the Obamas in attendance.

Though Obama speaks frequently about his Christian faith, his family rarely attends church services in Washington. The White House says the president hasn't joined a parish because his appearances would be disruptive to the rest of the congregation.

Arizona State Lawmaker Found Beaten At His Business

Police say Frank Pratt was knocked unconscious and tied up, he was taken to the hospital with serious injuries

Pratt is a Republican from Arizona's 23 district

myfoxphoenix

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - State Rep. Frank Pratt, of Casa Grande, was assaulted and hog-tied inside his business on Christmas Day, police say.

The assault occurred at Pratt Pools on Cottonwood Lane, near State Route 93, police said.

Police said Pratt went to his office to check on it at about 4 p.m. Saturday and was confronted by a person who was already in the building. That person severely beat him, knocked him unconscious and left him tied up inside his office.

Pratt was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with serious injuries. No information has been released on his condition.

Pratt, a Republican, is a representative of District 23 in the state House and has been in office since 2009.

Video: Obama Greeting the Troops at Marine Base in Hawaii

Kaneohe Bay Hawaii, AP video

Robert Gibbs: No Big Changes Coming to President Obama's Cabinet in 2011

Gibbs: The team we have now is 'very talented'


foxnews.com

WASHINGTON -- Another disconnect between two White House spokesmen who are giving conflicting answers to coming changes in the Obama administration.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Sunday that Americans shouldn't look for any big changes in President Obama's Cabinet as the new year gets under way.

But two days earlier, senior adviser David Axelrod said "significant changes" will be announced after the president returns from his vacation in Hawaii.

"This is a bubble. It's been an intense couple of years, and there's an advantage to bringing in folks who have a fresh set of senses -- smell, touch and feel -- about what's going on out there," Axelrod told The New York Times in an article published Thursday.

Calling the president's team "very talented," Gibbs told CNN on Sunday that much work has yet to be done in the Treasury Department as well as at the Health and Human Services Department, which is responsible for implementing the new health insurance entitlement.