


Video:
Individual liberty anywhere is a threat to the Progressive-Collectivist Cause everywhere.
Worst press conference -- ever
By Jennifer RubinI don't mean just for Obama. I mean any president. Or head of state. When I wrote this morning that he doesn't do well in defeat, you didn't know how right I was, huh? Let's count the ways.
Calling Republicans "hostage takers." Not helpful. Saying Republicans opposed middle class tax cuts. Not true -- they wanted no tax increases for anyone. Accusing Republicans of holding out tax cuts for the rich as the "Holy grail." Also wrong. As Republican strategist Mike Goldfarb tweeted, and as Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has said, beating Obama in 2012 is the Holy Grail. Then Obama started ranting at the media and bashing the left, which, if we are to believe statements from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, seems poised to abandon him on this. Obama also dragged in the "public option" for no apparent reason other than to remind everyone of the last time he disappointed liberals. Admitting he's had a whole bunch of lines in the sand. Umm. Thunk.
On Twitter, there is shock and awe among pundits and reporters. Is Obama melting down? Has he lost control of the conversation? Yikes. Whoever let him go out there and do this rant-a-thon should be fired. Oh, was it Obama's idea? I think his own party is indeed going to go into "riot mode." A House GOP leadership aide pronounced the performance "angry" and out-of-touch. That's being generous.
Peace in our time: Obama, House Dems strike bargain on tax cuts deal?(from AP via hotair.com)
The White House and key lawmakers cleared the way Thursday night for swift Senate action to avert a Jan. 1 spike in income taxes for nearly all Americans, agreeing to extend breaks for ethanol and other forms of alternative energy as part of the deal.Tax provisions aimed at increasing production of hybrid automobiles, biodiesel fuel, energy-efficient homes, coal and energy-efficient household appliances would be extended through the end of 2011 under the bill.
Debate on the expanded measure began almost immediately. While there is no precise timetable for passage, a test vote was set for Monday afternoon that appears likely to demonstrate overwhelmingly support for the legislation...
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt wins the Nobel Peace Prize (1906)
Edward VIII signs the Instrument of Abdication (1936)
The People's Liberation Army begins its siege of Chengdu, the last Kuomintang-held city in mainland China, forcing President of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek and his government to retreat to Taiwan (1949)
President Barack Obama accepts the Nobel Peace Prize at Oslo City Hall in Norway (2009)
b: Rod Blagojevich (1956); d: Alfred Nobel (1896), Armand Hammer (1990), Eugene McCarthy (2005)