Looking down the ballot, which members of Congress, whether they be Democrat or Republican, need to be worried about challenges from members of the "Tea Party" in 2012?

Question - FR guys. Who will gain the upper hand politically if the pay roll tax cuts expire?

Opinion - Boehner walked away from the deal on the pay roll tax cut extensions. Good deal or bad? Bad because it could kill unemployment benefits from being extended. Good news because the unneccessary pay roll tax cuts won't weaken future Social Security entitlements.

Two months of extended unemployment benefits was not worth the potential to turn Nebraska and other states into a potentially oil damaged environment. A deal will not be worth another fight and bluffs and bluster by both sides in two months time.

Season's greetings, Mark, Domenico and crew. Thanks as always for taking our questions.

I remember from the 2008 primary season a lot of talk that Hillary Clinton supporters wouldn't support candidate Obama--yet we know that they eventually did. I now hear something similar for the Republicans--that the Tea Party people won't support Romney. Do you think they would eventually come around to a Romney candidacy or will they stay home or mount a third party movement?

Has the CBO estimated how many jobs will be lost if UI and the payroll tax holiday isn't extended? How many? Do you have the estimated revenue loss associated with that? GDP loss?

When the President finally gets into full campaign mode (ads, etc.) do you see a big change in the polls between him and the GOP? Seems like right now that with all the attention on the GOP they would of course, be seen in a more favorable light (see John McCain after the GOP convention).

What happens to clowns who threaten our Public Representatives through the mail or other social media?

Also is the Tea Party still viable or has the general public figured out the GOP's ruse?

Why does the defense budget continue to expand when virtually everyone agrees we have to cut spending?

OHHHHHHH, Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the WAAAAAAAY!

Mark, Domenico and First Read staff:

We know you have all been very good this year, and Santa will bring you what you ask for.

Seems like the Republicans have not been good, Santa has not brought them a clear favorite for President.

So.....

What is a brokered convention? How likely is one to happen? Could they draft someone else to run? If so, who would be more appealing to the general electorate, but still please the far right wing?

In any case, a very happy holiday season to all of you! Thanks for hosting us!

What kinds of effects would a protracted GOP primary season have on the general election? What kinds of effects would the GOP settling on a nominee quickly have? What are the advantages and disadvantages to each side?

Thanks as always guys!

Who within or what part of the GOP will be the sacrificial lamb if Obama retains his Presidency?

Merry Whatevers to one and all at FR.

There are still a couple of Democrats breaking ranks, how united is the Democratic party? All year we have heard about "defectors" in the Democratic Party, maybe afraid to side with the POTUS for political reasons, I don't know but if they can't get more seats in the Senate or win back the House and President Obama gets elected, we have to expect 4 more years of an even more bold Grand Obstructionist Party. I am an Independent voter but I have been amazed at the Democrats in fighting this year.

Oh, Happy Festivus to all!

Season's greetings, Mark and Domenico. The $1.1T House spending bill includs all kinds of necessary spending and all kinds of earmarks that are questionable. During an early reading of this bill includes quetionable expenditures for earmarks. House republicans requested 40 while Democrates included 75. Defense alone is ringing up spending of more than $800 million, while $40 is being allocated for a National Bio/Agro defense facility, $30M for an Interdiciplinary Science and Engineering Teaching and Research Corridor at the U of Alabama, and $21M for the Yazoo Water Bain Project.

Earmarks-stuck in spending bills can't seem to elude congress, even though the President once stated this would not happen in his administration. Why has he been too quiet on the earmark controversy, and why isn't he pressing Congress to resolve this issue?

Given that negotiations and diplomacy have been an utter failure in stopping Iran's nuclear weapons program, at what point will Mr. Obama resort to a military option to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program? And will that take place before the 2012 elections? Or will Mr. Obama back down from his promise that he will do all that is necessary to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons and switch to a weak policy of "containment"?

BTW, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to everyone at First Read.

Merry Christmas Mark, Dom & First Read Staff!

Will Huntsman ever be taken seriously enough to ride a wave up in the polls to challenge Romney? Why hasn't he had a turn yet? Is there enough time left?

WHY ? Does the media NOT cover other PARTIES? Always the same lame PARTIES ? Also WHY? Does the Media NOT do more undercover investigations on politics and broadcast it as BREAKING NEWS on all media channels for the whole day?

If the Republicans are so determined to get rid of entitlements, why aren't their own on the chopping block, ie: free health insurance for them & family for life, free "HUGE" pensions after only 2? terms, plus all the perks our parasitic politians enjoy. If they are in politics for the good of the COUNTRY and not themselves, then they should be getting the same salary as the middle class and have to pay for any benefits they receive. We might actually have a middle class again if this were to happen and you could pretty much guarantee health benefits would be made available at an affordable price. Come on politicians (all of you) put your money (literally) where you mouths are. Lead by example for once instead of living the high life and expecting the people who overpay you to do without any kind of help or relief.

My question has to do with all these polls.

How can a poll of about 1000 people be considered accurate? You could poll 20 different groups of 1000 people and come up with all different results.

There are maybe 200 million eligible voters, how can a poll sampling of .0005% of those voters (assuming you only poll eligible voters in the first place) ever be close to being accurate?

What kind of guidelines are used when polling?

TO ALL MY DEMOCRAT/LIBERAL FRIENDS: Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of you choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognitions of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country, or not the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the wish.

TO MY CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tea Party supported governors are proving to be the least popular in the country. How will that effect the presidential elections, specifically, will the unpopularity of Florida's Republican governor help Democrats in that state?

What happens if (when!) Ron Paul wins Iowa?

In Maine, the Republican governor is trying to cut 65,000 Mainers from Medicaid, to cover a 200 million dollar shortfall in the budget. Democrats claim this is a manufactured crisis, will result in the lose of 4,000 healthcare jobs, and lead to increased costs as previously covered people end up using emergency rooms for routine care, They also point out the Republican legislature cut taxes by 400 million last year. It seems to me there are many states where one can see the iright wing agenda being played out in the real world. Will journalists raise these examples with Republicans running for office, or will they allow them to talk in hypotheticals?

When will we get a line item veto, term limits, and a mandated shorter campaign season?

It's time to vote them ALL out on BOTH sides. This is absolutely ridiculous that neither side of grown adults can do something for the people that voted them in. It's time they go. But what the hell do they care. Once they get in they get the BEST MEDICAL FOR LIFE, GET A GUARANTEED PENSION, even if they are thrown out, UNLIMITED SICK TIME. Don't you wish we ALL were afforded the same rights as the almighty government gets. And what's the deal with NO term limits for congress and the senate. If the Prez and governors have to, why shouldn't they. Time for our own "Arab Spring" wouldn't you say?

Everyone talks about how the "Super-Rich" influence politics, but for people who supposedly constitute only 1% of the electorate they seem to effectively influence a great deal of legislation to go their way.

In all my time voting I have never seen a limousine pull up to a voting a area, and a Super-rich guy get out and vote.

Question: Are there any data out there that confirm that the Super-Rich actually, physically vote?

Conversely, if the Super-Rich do NOT vote how is it that they manage to secure such a disproportionate share of legislative representation?

What's more likely? That republicans upset with the TEA will vote democrat. Or will they vote Independent - if someone like Paul or Huntsman go rogue?

Will democrats upset with the current state of the economy or Obama's performance vote republican? Is there a LW leaning presidential prospect out there who would run as an Independent?

Which party would be hurt most by one of its own running as an Independent presidential candidate?