National

The "fiscal cliff" negotiations (or at least they will be when the Republicans show up) have gone through a media roller coaster -- they're talking, they're dealing, Medicare is on the table, Medicare of off of the table, they're not talking, they're not dealing, they are at an impass. The current story seems to be that Boehner still can't get the President to negotiate with himself and Boehner still can't get his caucus under control. But watching this has produced some satisfying optics. Optics don't get you to good governing, but it is a pleasure to see Democrats playing offense for a change.

The video below is why I'm not "prepper." We humans have more than enough brain power to solve all of our current and future problems.

By a 65% to 33% margin, Americans believe that the President has a mandate to increase taxes on the wealthy and protect Social Security and Medicare. Hell, even half of all Republicans say he has a mandateof Republicans now say he has an mandate. Come inside for more pollling goodness

Like having the wealthiest pay their fair share in taxes, this is wildly popular and probably impossible because ...AWESOME BIPARTISANSHIP!!!

Attorney General Eric Holder said during a speech on Tuesday night at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library that it’s time to consider setting national standards for how elections should be handled. “A recent study by the MacArthur Foundation found that nearly 90 percent of those who voted in last month’s election would support creating national voting standards,” Holder said, according to prepared remarks.

The world is going to end in 9 days. How do I know this? Well, because I agree with something Glenn Beck said, and what he said was actually understandable, logical, and reasonable.

Public Policy Polling was the third most accurate polling outfit this cycle (Behind Ipsos/Reuters and YouGov, according to this study). An awesome showing by a Democratic-leaning group that is making its name on delivering good data, rather than trying to move the news cycle. (Rasmussen came in 14th, so how about those false equivalency apples?) So who could blame them for taking their victory lap by providing a new comprehensive poll on Americans' thoughts on Christmas?

4. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - U2 (1987) There are tons of great covers on that '87 fundraiser for the Special Olympics, but this one really holds up. Phil Spector meets U2 - what's not to like? 3. "The Little Drummer Boy" - David Bowie and Bing Crosby (1977) The banter is crazy 1970's TV special writing, but the beauty of version rescues an otherwise insipid song. Come inside for the final 2....

...Republicans have to be the most gullible suckers to ever walk the face of the earth.

According to FEC data released December 6, Dick Morris' Super PAC for America paid conservative news outlet Newsmax Media roughly $1.7 million for "fundraising" in October and November. A significant portion of the super PAC's money likely went to renting Morris' own email list, which is operated by Newsmax Media. A Media Matters review found that in the month before the election, Morris sent at least 21 emails to his mailing list featuring fundraising pitches that were "paid for by Super PAC for America." Super PAC also "paid for" at least 25 emails to Newsmax.com's main email list during the same period.

Separating gullible GOP dupes from their money was taken to new heights this year.

CONFIDENTIAL Dear Sirs and Madam, Good day and compliments. This letter will definitely come to you as a huge surprise, but I implore you to take the time to go through it carefully as the decision you make will go off a long way to determine the future of your economy, and the continued existence of the entire members of my family. ...