"Moderate Senate Democrats threatened Sunday to scuttle health-care legislation if their demands aren't met, while more liberal members warned their party leaders not to bend," the AP reports. "The dispute among Democrats foretells of a rowdy floor debate next month on legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million Americans. Republicans have already made clear they aren't supporting the bill."

Video: Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., discuss the debate that awaits the Senate after Democratic health legislation cleared a key hurdle. 

The New York Times: "Anxious that Saturday's party-line Senate vote to open debate on a health care overhaul gives them little maneuvering room, Obama administration officials and their Congressional allies are stepping up overtures to select Senate Republicans" – especially Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins -- in hopes of winning their ultimate support."

"The contentious public option is one thing that may likely change, Reid acknowledged. He said that Louisiana's Mary Landrieu, one of the final three Democratic holdouts before tonight's vote, is working with Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Tom Carper (D-DE) to come up with an 'alternative' public option, one that would be 'acceptable' to all Democrats."

The Washington Post adds, "With less than a year until the 2010 midterm elections -- and with Reid himself facing a potentially tough race at home in Nevada -- senators are eager to vote on health care before Christmas and complete negotiations with the House no later than the end of January, so they can turn their attention to legislation aimed at creating jobs."

The New York Daily News: "After failing to block debate on health reform, Senate Republicans plotted to kill it Sunday with stall tactics and a blizzard of amendments aimed at picking off centrist Democrats."

Some lawmakers are pushing back against the Catholic Church's lobbying for tougher abortion language in the health reform bill. "Some lawmakers see the church's Capitol Hill maneuvering over the health care bill as part of a broader activist push, which some welcome and others find worrisome." 
 
By the way, Rep. Patrick Kennedy said that the controversial bishop from Rhode Island told him not to receive communion. "I am disappointed that the Congressman would make public my pastoral and confidential request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being," said Bishop Thomas Tobin in a strongly worded statement. "I have no desire to continue the discussion of Congressman Kennedy's spiritual life in public."

The New York Times front-pages the tough times for embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel. "[A]s an ethics investigation into his financial dealings continues, Mr. Rangel's once-considerable clout is diminished and his spirits are often gloomy, friends and associates say… Now, after months of what friends say was his slowness to grasp the severity of his situation, Mr. Rangel, a decorated Korean War veteran, has begun a counteroffensive."

More: "He has hired new Washington-based public relations consultants to help him and his legal team shape a message as he awaits the outcome of the ethics investigation. He has reactivated his old campaign organization in Harlem to prepare for a potentially difficult election, doing so at the insistence of the veteran Harlem political strategist Bill Lynch, who has taken charge of the operation."

"U.S. Sen. John McCain said Saturday that he enjoyed reading running mate Sarah Palin's new memoir and downplayed any tension between their campaign aides as 'no big deal.' 'I enjoyed the book and she and I are dear friends. I talked to her on the phone yesterday. We got along fine,' said McCain in an interview Saturday with The Associated Press on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum. 'In campaigns there's always tension,' McCain said. 'Outside of combat, it's the most tense situation. There's always differences that arise, but it's no big deal.'"

Meanwhile, McCain "used Saturday's floor debate on healthcare to repeat the controversial 'death panel' charge for which his running mate, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has been heavily criticized. In a scripted exchange with Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.), McCain assailed a recent recommendation by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services panel that women receive regular mammograms once they reach 50 years of age, instead of the traditional 40. ... A grinning McCain then asked, 'You would not describe that as a death panel?' Barrasso replied, 'Some people might.'"

Another potential 2010 issue? Stu Rothenberg, writing in Roll Call: "Given the primacy of domestic issues to the public, particularly the undeniable importance of unemployment, health care and spending issues, that may seem an unwise guess. But if there are any issues that can rival, or in fact trump, kitchen-table concerns, one of them surely is national security. ... Since foreign policy remains one of Obama's assets to date, he could create dramatic problems for himself when forced to make difficult decisions involving U.S. foreign policy."

COLORADO: Josh Penry, who recently dropped his bid for Colorado governor, endorsed former Congressman Scott McInnis.

And Tom Tancredo will endorse McInnis today, the Denver Post writes. 
 
Vulnerable Sen. Michael Bennett (D) answered "yes" when asked if, at the end of the Senate debate, he would vote in favor of comprehensive health care reform even if he had compelling evidence that such a vote would cost him his seat in next year's midterm elections.
 
CONNECTICUT: Sen. Chris Dodd was greeted by about 100 protestors carrying "Dump Dodd" signs as he entered a Connecticut restaurant to talk about health care reform, financial reform, and his 2010 candidacy.

FLORIDA: Marco Rubio criticized Charlie Crist for holding a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., as the new jobless figures [of 11.2%, tied with Kentucky for the seventh highest in the nation] were released. "Gov. Crist should focus on actually doing his job and working to put Floridians back to work," Rubio said. 
 
"Could Crist's prodigious fundraising, which strategists agree has been a key to his decade of electoral success, prove to be the Achilles' heel of his 2010 U.S. Senate campaign? Three of Crist's top fund-raisers have been hamstrung by federal investigations in the past nine months, and a fourth, Jupiter sports agent and real estate investor Marc Roberts, is facing a federal lawsuit alleging he defrauded a business partner out of $100 million to support his own 'lavish personal lifestyle.'" 
 
Crist's lead over Rubio has been cut in half from 55%-26% to 50%-35%. Crist leads Democrat Kendrick Meek, 51%-31%; Rubio trails Meek 36%-33%, according to a Quinnipiac poll released Saturday.

MASSACHUSETTS: "When Martha Coakley was the Middlesex district attorney, her office prosecuted the Rev. John J. Geoghan based on an allegation that he squeezed the buttocks of a 10-year-old boy a single time at a public swimming pool," the Boston Globe writes. "The highly publicized 2002 conviction won Coakley widespread praise for bringing the first successful criminal case against the widely accused pedophile, a priest many had called 'Father Jack.' But seven years earlier, Coakley, then the head of the Middlesex child abuse unit, had Geoghan in her sights and took a dramatically different approach. Back then, three grade-school brothers told investigators that Geoghan had inappropriately touched them during numerous visits to their Waltham home, and had made lewd telephone calls to them. Rather than prosecute, Coakley agreed to grant Geoghan a year of probation in a closed-door proceeding that received no media attention at all."

"Coakley is in a strong position heading into the state's Democratic Senate primary…, but nearly 75 percent of likely voters still remain undecided according to the latest poll [from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center]."

PENNSYLVANIA: "[E]ver since Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.) announced seven months ago that he was switching parties to run for re-election as a Democrat, Toomey has been forced to recast himself as more of a centrist as he prepares for the 2010 general election," Roll Call writes, "Toomey surprised many conservatives when he announced in early August that he was supporting President Barack Obama's nominee for Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor. Toomey's campaign also issued a press release in late September praising Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan for supporting charter schools and merit-based pay for teachers." (But that's not exactly a liberal, pro-union stance.)

TEXAS: Columnist Joe Holley on speculation that Houston mayor Bill White (D) might drop his Senate bid and get into the gubernatorial race instead. Holley posits a scenario revolving around Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison "deciding there's really no reason to resign" her Senate seat and avoiding—according to Houston pundit Dick Murray -- "giving this guy who beat up on me in the primary [Republican governor Rick Perry] the chance to appoint my successor."

And Hutchison pens a Dallas Morning News op-ed, criticizing the Obama administration's recent moves on national security (like Gitmo and moving KSM to stand trial in New York). "The attack at Fort Hood was the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. We can never go back to our 9/10 complacency. We must get serious about national security again."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
There's been a lot of talk about the $300 million Medicaid "fix" that Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu got for her home state just before voting in favor of cloture last night, thereby putting the Senate health bill on the floor for conisderation.

Republicans have derisively called this Harry Reid's Louisiana Purchase.

We talked about it this morning on MSNBC.

A clip is below. HERE'S THE FULL DISCUSSION.

From msnbc.com's Carrie Dann
Just shy of two years after Iowans propelled Barack Obama to victory in the first major test of the 2008 Democratic primary, the president's approval rating in the first caucus state has fallen below 50 percent. A new Des Moines Register poll conducted by the revered Selzer and Co. shows Obama's positive rating at just 49 percent, a full 19 points below his approval in the state at the time of his inauguration.

(Selzer, you might remember, was the same pollster that showed Obama leading by eight points before the primary against Hillary Clinton and John Edwards.

The poll was released Saturday, just as Vice President Joe Biden was arriving in Des Moines to speak as the featured guest at the Iowa Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner. Ouch.

Obama's fiery speech at the same venue in 2007 was widely credited as a key moment that vaulted the Illinois senator over rival Hillary Clinton in the Iowa contest.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
After tonight's vote to put a health reform bill on the floor of the U.S. Senate for the first time in American history, Senate Democrats vowed to pass it, but acknowledged there would be changes.

"We can see the finish line, but we're not there yet," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

The contentious public option is one thing that may likely change, Reid acknowledged. He said that Louisiana's Mary Landrieu, one of the final three Democratic holdouts before tonight's vote, is working with Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Tom Carper (D-DE) to come up with an "alternative" public option, one that would be "acceptable" to all Democrats."

"It's going to be a long stretch," Reid said, but he declared, "We have the momentum."

He said that not all 60 Democrats agree on the bill as it is now, "but they agree on the vast majority." Reid said they agreed on more than 90 percent of the bill.

Reid stood with Democrats Chris Dodd and Tom Harkin, who had instrumental roles in committee. Dodd, in particular, shepherded the bill in the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's stead on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Dodd invoked the Kennedy's name in his remarks. Reid then put his arm on Dodd's shoulder and said he had spoken with Kennedy's widow, Vicky tonight, who he said was in tears.

"We both said, 'Ted would be happy,'" Reid said. "We both felt that he's watching what took place tonight."

"This is the United states of America, and there are certain things you should be have a right to," Dodd said, noting that "decent health care" and not being "bankrupted in the process" are a couple of those things.

Reid gave a window into how Democrats will frame this – as something that "saves lives, saves money and saves Medicare."

He added, that Americans will "see the Republican alternative, which I'm sorry to say is nonexistent. … We're really happy with this bill. We welcome the debate on this bill."

Democrats invoked history. Reid, who said he's an avid reader of history, invoked Harry Truman, who first called for health reform in 1945.

"It's a long time since 1945 since Truman wrote that letter to us," Reid said, noting the message Truman sent to Congress on Nov. 19, 1945, advocating for a national health care program.

He added, "I really do believe this is a historic time in the history of our country. I do believe this has been far too long in the making. We're going to get health care reform."

Harkin said, "I can't think of a better vote to have right before Thanksgiving. Make no mistake, this was a momentous vote we had tonight, a momentous, pivotal vote. … This bill is a good deal for America."

Reid used a track metaphor, Harkin went the baseball route: "We're rounding third; we're heading home. As the leader said, it's sometimes a long road from third to home, but we're going to get there."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
After hours of debating whether to allow debate to begin on a health reform bill, the Senate voted in favor of letting that happen tonight along strictly partisan lines, 60-39.

The outcome had become all but assured earlier today when Sen. Blanche Lincoln, a moderate Democrat from Arkansas, the last Democratic holdout, said she would vote with her caucus.

It is important to realize that this is just the beginning, the opening kickoff if you will. Lincoln, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) have all said they would not vote for a bill that in the end that includes a public option. And more importantly Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has said he would join a Republican filibuster on the back end if a public option is included.

The other wild card: Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Snowe, who voted against cloture tonight, is against the "opt out" version of the public option. But, of course, she is in favor of her "Trigger" option.

By the way, don't be surprised if, as we've been saying is possible all along, that at the end of the day, Snowe's Trigger becomes the compromise -- particularly after the CBO said Reid's opt out would not do much to change the current system and would likely have the adverse affect of raising premiums overall.

*** UPDATE *** The only senator not voting was Republican George Voinovich of Ohio. Voinovich is retiring at the end of his term.

Also, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has released a statement on tonight's vote:

"The President is gratified that the Senate has acted to begin consideration of health insurance reform legislation. Tonight's  historic vote brings us one step closer to ending insurance company abuses, reining in spiraling health care costs, providing stability and security to those with health insurance, and extending quality health coverage to those who lack it. The President looks forward to a thorough and productive debate."

*** UPDATE 2 *** The RNC has released a statement opposed to tonight's vote and attacking moderate Democrats for voting to allow debate to begin:

"Tonight a number of moderate Democrats sacrificed their principles to give Harry Reid a victory that brings America dangerously closer to having a government-run health care system.  Make no mistake: this was not a free vote.  A vote in favor of this procedural motion paves the way for the bill's final adoption, which would impose a government-run health care experiment on America that increases premiums, increases taxes, cuts Medicare and allows for taxpayer-funded abortions.  As the recent elections in Virginia and New Jersey showed, Harry Reid's health care scheme is exactly what voters do not want.  President Obama, Harry Reid and their liberal Senate allies will surely gloat and pat themselves on the back for winning tonight's vote in the dark of night during a rare Saturday session, while Americans were home with their families.  But as they do, those moderate Democrats who voted for Harry Reid's bill will have to answer to their constituents."

Check out this interview with Lou Dobbs on Telemundo, describing himself as one of Latinos "greatest friends." By the way, he sure sounds like he's running for something. But what? And where?

Here's the full video. Here's a clip:

THE WEEK AHEAD: Congress is back for another Saturday night health care vote, Obama's first state dinner, Palin's tour continues, plus a special peek inside the First Read Man Cave with a special goateed guest. Happy Thanksgiving.

See how many sports teams/memorabilia items you can spot! Win fun prizes (not!)

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
President Obama has now dropped, for the first time, below 50% approval in the Gallup poll. It's the second poll this week to show that result.

This puts Obama on par with Ronald Reagan, who also fell below 50% 10 months into the job -- and better than Bill Clinton, who fell below in his fourth month. Reagan was dealing with similar economic numbers.

For context, here's what we wrote about this when the possibility was first floated that Obama could fall below 50% back on Sept. 2nd:

*** They've done studies, you know -- 50% of the time, it works every time: As of yesterday, President Obama's approval rating in the Gallup daily tracking poll was 52%, which is close to the 51% in our NBC poll from last month. As Gallup has noted, if Obama falls below 50% in his eighth month on the job, it will be the third-fastest drop below that mark for a new president since World War II. Gerald Ford fell below 50% in his third month, Bill Clinton in his fourth month, Ronald Reagan in his 10th month, Jimmy Carter in his 13th month, Richard Nixon in his 25th month, LBJ in his 29th month, Bush 41 in his 36th month, Bush 43 in his 37th month, and Eisenhower in his 63rd month. Note: Kennedy never fell below 50% before he was assassinated, and George W. Bush was approaching that mark right before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A few things to remember about all the analysis folks will see on polls in the coming days: There are more BAD polls now than ever before; it confuses the issue and lets some folks cherry-pick what they want. The VERY erratic robo-polling firms have added to the confusion like never before. 

*** Obama has him where he wants them? This data above tell us a few things. One, Obama has had a rapid drop and that doesn't help his prospects for things like health-care reform. Two, the most recent presidents -- Reagan, Clinton, and Bush 43 (right before 9/11) -- have experienced similar drops, suggesting an increased political polarization over the past 20 or so years. Three, taking George W. Bush out of the equation due to 9/11, every president who has ended up winning re-election since 1980 saw his approval rating drop below 50% in his first year. Moral of the story: If your goal is to get re-elected, it's better to have your political struggles early (Clinton, Reagan) rather than later (Bush 41). Kind of like a college football season, right? Better to lose early, than late. So be careful what you read into what Obama's approval rating right now means for his presidency. There's really no correlation between how quickly a president's poll numbers drop and the overall success of his presidency.

From NBC's Ken Strickland
As was expected after Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-NE) statement yesterday explaining what a vote for cloture would mean, he has now released a statement saying that he will vote with Democrats.

His full written statement after the jump:

Today, Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson announced that he will vote for the motion to proceed to debate health care reform on the Senate floor and issued this statement:

"For more than a year, Nebraskans and all Americans have debated health care reform in their homes, at work, and with friends at hundreds of town hall meetings.

"This weekend, I will vote for the motion to proceed to bring that debate onto the Senate floor. The Senate should start trying to fix a health care system that costs too much and delivers too little for Nebraskans.

"Throughout my Senate career I have consistently rejected efforts to obstruct. That's what the vote on the motion to proceed is all about.

"It is not for or against the new Senate health care bill released Wednesday.
 
"It is only to begin debate and an opportunity to make improvements. If you don't like a bill why block your own opportunity to amend it?

"As we have seen before, obstructionists are inviting a move toward reconciliation by opposing this first procedural vote. Let's be clear. That route shrinks debate and amendments, eliminates bipartisanship and needs only 50 votes to pass a bill.

"In the end, far more Washington-run health care policies win, but Nebraskans lose.

"In my first reading, I support parts of the bill and oppose others I will work to fix. If that's not possible, I will oppose the second cloture motion-needing 60 votes-to end debate, and oppose the final bill.

"But I won't slam the doors of the Senate in the face of Nebraskans now. They want the health care system fixed. The Senate owes them a full and open debate to try to do so."

From NBC's Ken Strickland
After reading reports that Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) has already told Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) how she'll vote tomorrow on issue of whether to bring the healthcare bill to the floor, Lincoln's office was quick respond.

"No other Senator speaks for Senator Lincoln," Lincoln's spokeswoman told NBC in an email. "She is still reviewing the bill."

Earlier in the day, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat Dick Durbin told several reporters that Lincoln had already made her voting intentions known to Reid.

"She's told Sen. Reid," Durbin said without revealing the substance of the conversation.

A few hours later, Durbin too joined in with clarifying remarks. In a written statement, he said, "In a conversation with reporters earlier today, some of my remarks regarding Sen. Lincoln were unclear and have been incorrectly interpreted.

"Let me be clear: Senator Lincoln has had a number of conversations with Sen. Reid about the health care reform legislation. She has asked important questions and there has been a positive and healthy give and take. But Sen. Lincoln has not yet signaled her intention as to how she will vote on tomorrow's cloture motion. I have worked with Sen. Lincoln for years and know that she will reach a decision that is best for her constituents, her state and the nation."

From NBC's Ken Strickland
At a news conference this morning, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) pre-emptively gave the his answer to the question everyone's been asking over the past few weeks: does Majority Leader Harry Reid have the 60 votes needed to bring the healthcare bill to the floor.

"We're not assuming a thing," Durbin said, "we're working hard to bring all Democrats together for the 60 votes necessary to proceed to this historic debate."

But it's possible Durbin and Reid are playing coy and already know they how the vote will go down Saturday night.

In a gaggle with reporters following the news conference (off-camera), Durbin was asked if he knew how Blanche Lincoln will vote on Saturday. Lincoln has been by far the most tight-lipped of the three Democratic holdouts about how she might vote.

"She's told Senator Reid," Durbin said, but wouldn't answer the obvious follow-up question. "You'll have to ask Senator Reid."

It begs the questions if fellow centrist Democrats Ben Nelson and Mary Landrieu have also informed Reid.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** More Saturday Night Fever: The Senate is expected to take its vote to proceed on Senate Majority Leader Reid's bill on Saturday. Democrats will need 60 votes -- i.e., their entire caucus -- to clear this initial procedural hurdle. Per NBC's Ken Strickland, the vote is expected to take place around 8:00 pm ET. At this point, Strick adds, it doesn't look like there will be any Senate work on Sunday, nor will there be any effort to make the Senate clerk read every page of the bill out loud, at least this week. If it plays out this way, the Senate would be off all of the next week for Thanksgiving recess and return on Nov. 30. Realistically, is more being made out of this drama than should be? Does it make political sense for any Democrat to prevent even debate on this bill even for Democrats who may eventually vote against it? To not allow debate would be a slap in the face of the Dem base and no Dem officeholder would do that, would they? We know that everything in DC and health care has to have the feel of some drama, but this feels like much ado about nothing. If Reid and the Obama White House can't even get the bill on to the floor, then there are much BIGGER problems in the Dem party than unity on health care. But if they do pass it, it is historic.

*** Land of Lincoln: That said, for the vote tomorrow, we've noted the moderates to watch: Ben Nelson (NE), Mary Landrieu (LA), and Blanche Lincoln (AR). But Lincoln is perhaps the most intriguing. Nelson and Landrieu have seemed to indicate their support at least for a cloture vote since their meeting with Reid two days ago. Remember, neither of them is up for re-election next year. But Lincoln is, and it's been radio silence from her on her cloture vote. She's really in a pressure cooker. Liberals are pushing for a primary challenge if she doesn't support health care (something Republicans have to be salivating over) and the looks of a potentially competitive GENERAL election next year. Still, it would be a shock to see Lincoln kill this since she actually does have to worry about a primary challenge -- and she would have single-handedly have killed the prospects NOW for the health bill. By the way, Lincoln knows a little something about Dem primary challenges, she first got into Congress by challenging an incumbent member of her OWN party. 

*** Welcome back, Mr. President: If President Obama turned on the nightly news at the White House after returning from his eight-day trip through Asia, he saw plenty of unwelcome news yesterday. Members of Congress were asking for Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to resign from his job; students in California were protesting huge hikes in their tuition costs; in the morning, the nation's aviation system nearly grinded to a halt after a router glitch; and women were confused about new mammogram guidelines -- the news of which Republicans seized on to throw a wrench into health-care reform. In short, it wasn't a good day -- and hasn't been really that good of a week -- for the White House. As for Geithner, it looks like he's becoming the whipping boy for frustrated members of Congress on the economy. Is this fair? Remember, this happened to John Snow, and then we got Hank Paulson.

*** Iran is key to watch: Regarding Obama's trip to Asia, it looks like the C.W. is that he didn't get big things done. And he didn't. But the reality is that we won't know how successful this trip is for a little while. Near-term, it's about the push for sanctions against Iran. In fact, if the Obama administration gets Russia on board for tougher sanctions, and if China -- at a minimum -- decides to simply abstain and allow the U.S. to go forward with a tougher stance against Iran, then the C.W. on this trip and on the president's approach to foreign policy will shift back in his favor. While some want to pile on the president over Iran and say, "I told you so" regarding Iran walking away from the negotiating table, it's actually an opportunity for the president to show a stiff spine on a major national security issue. And if Russia does come aboard for truly tough sanctions, it would be an example of Obama's foreign policy doctrine of engagement and respect with quasi allies/rivals working. That's not bad domestic politics either.

*** What we learned at the RGA…: What did we learn at the Republican Governors Association meeting here that concluded last night? That Republicans feel VERY good about the overall political environment and their prospects for next year's midterm elections. That no one here really wanted to talk about Sarah Palin, her new book, or her political prospects. That RGA Chair Haley Barbour is personally backing Texas Gov. Rick Perry in the gubernatorial primary and wants Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to stay in the Senate. And that embattled Mark Sanford could attend the meeting and (almost!) not be spotted by the political press corps. 

*** … And what we didn't: What did we NOT learn? If the current political winds will continue to stay at the GOP's back. If Palinism will end up trumping McDonnellism, or vice versa. If anyone in attendance -- Pawlenty, Jindal, Barbour, someone else? -- will end up being the GOP's 2012 presidential nominee. And if anyone else picked up on the irony of the RGA airing this "Saturday Night Live" skit to kick off its panel looking at the 2010 midterms. 

*** White House pushes back against stimulus criticism: Following up on our note yesterday about the Obama White House losing the P.R. war over the stimulus, an administration official said he's standing by the estimated number of "jobs created or saved" by the stimulus act, NBC's Mike Viqueira reports. "The data debate has been frustrating, but it's a side show," said Ed Deserve, adviser to the president for Recovery Act Implementation, who took questions from reporters on a conference call. Deserve was following up on a hearing held yesterday on the House side, where the GAO reported on errors that were made in the administration's calculation that led to the claim that 640,000 jobs created as of Oct. 30 because of the stimulus. Deserve said the estimate is in line with those of outside economists, and repeated the claim that when both "direct, indirect, and induced" jobs were included, the number was 1 to 1.5 million jobs. Deserve's comments came after Earl Devaney, the government watchdog overseeing the stimulus, said he couldn't vouch for the administration's 640,000 figure.

*** A 'profile' in irony? Sarah Palin showed she's not afraid of wading into racial politics. In a two-day stretch this week, she 1) criticized John McCain for not going after Obama harder on Jeremiah Wright and 2) advocated for profiling. "I say, profile away," Palin told the Weekly Standard, adding, "Such political correctness could be our downfall." Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, hardly liberals, see it differently. Gates yesterday: "[I]n a nation as diverse as the United States the last thing we need to do is start pointing fingers at each other, particularly when there's no basis in fact for it." This is usually tricky terrain for politicians. But Palin has decided to bull through the issue. Yet advocacy for profiling -- which calls for drawing on broad stereotypes of whole groups of people -- is somewhat ironic coming from Palin. Consider her annoyance with her perception that Katie Couric was stereotyping her for asking her about which newspapers she reads. She told Oprah: "Are you kidding me? Are you really asking me?' To me, it was in the context of, 'Do you read? How do you stay informed, you're way up there?' It seemed like she was discovering this nomadic tribe, a member of a tribe from some Neanderthal cave in Alaska, asking me, 'How do you stay in touch with the real world?'" And then there's her criticism over the Newsweek cover, which plenty, including Democrats have criticized. But it seems she wants to be against political correctness unless it involves herself.

*** Also today: Vice President Joe Biden turns 67 years old. And an exhibit of the late Tim Russert's office opens at the Newseum in DC.

Countdown to MA Special Primary: 18 days
Countdown to MA Special Election: 60 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 347 days

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"Growing discontent over the economy and frustration with efforts to speed its recovery boiled over Thursday on Capitol Hill in a wave of criticism and outright anger directed at the Obama administration," the Washington Post writes. "President Obama's allies in the Congressional Black Caucus, exasperated by the administration's handling of the economy, unexpectedly blocked one his top priorities, using a legislative maneuver to postpone the approval of financial reform legislation by a key House committee."

"Two buildings away, at a session of the Joint Economic Committee, Republicans escalated their attacks on Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, including a call for his resignation." 

In addition, per the Wall Street Journal: "The House Financial Services Committee voted, 43-26, to approve a measure sponsored by Texas Republican Ron Paul, vociferously opposed by the Fed, that would direct the congressional Government Accountability Office to expand its audits of the Fed to include decisions about interest rates and lending to individual banks. The Fed says the provision threatens its ability to make monetary policy without political interference." 

"Geithner is coming under new pressure from conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats to resign," The Hill writes. "Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Kevin Brady (R-Texas) this week joined a small group of lawmakers publicly calling for Geithner to step down. Former Republican Rep. Rob Simmons, who is challenging Sen. Chris Dodd (D) for Senate in Connecticut, has made Geithner's resignation a campaign issue. Geithner was forced to defend himself Thursday at a public hearing on Capitol Hill during which he was pointedly asked by Brady to resign." 

"Rep. Peter DeFazio, one of the most outspoken Democratic critics of the White House economic team, said he plans to press the 27-member Congressional Populist Caucus to back his call for their ouster," Roll Call writes. "The Oregon Democrat created a stir on Capitol Hill after an appearance on MSNBC Wednesday during which he said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and White House economic adviser Larry Summers should lose their jobs for protecting Wall Street at the expense of broader job creation." 

Obama budget director Peter Orszag makes the fiscal case for health care. The op-ed is in the Washington Post, but it's written for an audience of approx. 63, the number of potential senators who could support the admin on health care.

Another stimulus headache for the White House: "The government watchdog overseeing the federal stimulus program testified Thursday that he could not vouch for the Obama administration's recent claims that the money had saved or created 640,000 jobs. He suggested that the administration should have treated the number with more skepticism," the New York Times says. "'I have no doubt that there's a lot of jobs being created,' Mr. Devaney said at a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. 'I think it could be above or below 640. I think missing reports might drive the job numbers up, and I think there's enough inaccuracies in here to question if the 640 number might go down.'" 

The Center for Responsive Politics reports that 24 of 99 Obama appointments to diplomatic posts with ambassador rank have been high-profile fund-raisers. They've "raised a minimum of $10.9 million for Obama's committees." And: "Obama has additionally nominated other presidential candidates' bundlers." 

Per the Washington Post, the Congressional Budget Office said the public option "opt out" in Reid's bill "would have relatively little impact on the current system, would charge 'somewhat higher' premiums than its private competitors and would draw only about 4 million subscribers. The decision to permit states to opt out of the public plan is partly to blame for the Reid proposal's lack of reach, as it would leave about a third of the people in the country without access to the program, according to the CBO's calculation. But even the national plan approved by the House this month would attract only about 6 million people, the nonpartisan group has said, primarily because it would lack the tools to keep costs and premiums down." 

The New York Times looks at the abortion issue in the Senate bill. "Under the House bill, federal money could not be used 'to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion,' except in case of rape or incest or if the life of a pregnant woman was in danger. Thus, a plan that received federal subsidies for low- and moderate-income people could not offer abortion coverage. Under the Senate bill, insurers would not be required or forbidden to cover abortion. But, the measure says, in every part of the country, the government would have to ensure that there is at least one plan that covers abortion and at least one that does not."

More: "The secretary of health and human services would decide whether a proposed new government insurance plan would cover abortion. In general, if insurers cover abortion, they could not use federal money to pay for the procedure. They could use only subscriber premiums and would have to keep the money separate from subsidies received from the federal government."

The New York Times covers yesterday's congressional hearing looking at the Fort Hood shootings. "A Senate committee on Thursday opened the first public hearings into the Fort Hood shootings, with several legislators asserting that the incident in which 13 people were killed was a terrorist attack by a homegrown extremist who may have slipped past law enforcement and military authorities. Hours later at a Pentagon news conference, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced that former Army Secretary Togo West and a former chief of naval operations, Vernon Clark, would lead a broad Pentagon review of the circumstances surrounding the shootings in which 13 people were killed and 43 were injured." 

Covering the RGA meeting, Salon's Mike Madden wonders if the GOP talk about a comeback is just, well, talk. "So what if the only thing voters like less than the Democrats in Congress might be the Republicans in Congress? Who cares if the GOP has been reduced to a rump minority in the House and Senate, left on the sidelines with not much more to do than root for Democrats to fight among themselves? In politics, what matters is momentum, and right now, Republicans -- and quite a few Democrats, especially in private -- think they have it."

Sarah Palin reiterated her support for candidates like the Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman, who ran for a special election in New York's 23rd congressional district. She added, however, that she believes advocates of a breakaway third party are "naive."

"Ideally, sure, a third party or an independent party would be able to soar and thrive and put candidates forth and have them elected, but I don't think America is ready for that," Palin said earlier this week on conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh's show. Palin's media blitz has taken her to, among other outlets, Limbaugh's show and Christian Broadcasting Network White House Correspondent David Brody's webcast.

The Alaskan ex-governor praised the efforts of Hoffman, saying his campaign "proved that an American without that resume, that machine backing, can truly make a difference in an election like this." She also gave her advice for Republican successes in 2010 and beyond: "It's all about jobs, it's all about Americans who are hurting right now and what those solutions are that are so obvious," she said. She blamed the Obama administration for not discussing such "common sense solutions," but also had criticism for her own party: "On the Republican side, Republicans need to be bolder about it. Independents need to be bolder about it."

On his webcast "The Brody File," David Brody asked Palin about recent polls showing 60% of respondents do not think she is qualified to run for president. Palin pivoted to a book plug. "I think well, if I read and believed everything that's been written about me too, I'd say the same thing," Palin said. "That's why I want people to read my book so they can read unfiltered what my values are, what my record is, what my accomplishments are."

Ratings gold: "Sarah Palin's interview with Oprah Winfrey Monday won the talk show queen her highest ratings in two years. ... Monday's episode featuring Palin drew an 8.7 household rating and 13 share – the highest ratings for Winfrey since she hosted the entire Osmond family in 2007."

"Just over a year after drawing a crowd of roughly 20,000 to a campaign event here, Sarah Palin returned Thursday evening to another warm welcome in this central Indiana city nestled in one of the most Republican counties in America," Politico writes. "More than 1,000 people queued up outside a Borders bookstore during a cold rain in rock-ribbed Republican Hamilton County, an event covered by few print reporters but many broadcast crews, including those from six area television stations, Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition."

"The Army wants Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg on Monday to be much quieter," the Raleigh News & Observer reports. "The base has asked Palin not to make a speech at a public book-signing at the base exchange; she also will not write personal notes, pose for photographs or sign anything besides her new memoir, 'Going Rogue: An American Life.' Fort Bragg also wanted to bar reporters from the event. Garrison Commander Col. Stephen J. Sicinski determined that by keeping out the media, the base would prevent Palin, a Republican and possible candidate in 2012, from having a platform from which to attack President Barack Obama, a Democrat. ... But late Thursday, after news outlets complained to the Pentagon, the base changed course, saying a limited number of reporters could cover the event if they shared their material with those kept out."

Tea Party civil war? "After emerging out of nowhere over the summer as a seemingly potent and growing political force, the tea party movement has become so rife with internal feuding over philosophy, strategy and money that some supporters fear it will disintegrate before realizing its full potential," Politico's Vogel writes, adding, "Disagreements over those issues have spawned personal and institutional rivalries, at least one highly contentious lawsuit and -- perhaps most significantly -- resulted in the splintering of local, regional and national groups into a patchwork of hundreds of smaller groups that occasionally seem to be working at cross-purposes." 

The Hill wonders if it's Lou Dobbs for Senate: "I am ruling nothing out.... I have come to no conclusions and no decisions," Dobbs told Reuters. "Do I seek to have some influence on public policy? Absolutely. Do I seek to represent and champion the middle class in this country and those who aspire to it? Absolutely. And I will." The Hill: "Thursday's news nevertheless confirmed a number of his old viewers' suspicions that he might run as a third-party candidate to represent his home state of New Jersey, or that he might be jockeying for an early position in the 2012 presidential contest."

Sen. Bob Menendez is up for re-election in 2012. Frank Lautenberg isn't up until 2014. Menendez had a tough fight in 2006 against Republican Tom Kean Jr. But the stronger opportunity would be a potentially open Lautenberg seat. Lautenberg would be 90 in 2014, and his retirement certainly would make give Republicans a target. But that's five years from now, and it doesn't sound like Dobbs wants to wait that long.

COLORADO: Denver Post columnist Mike Rosen outlined a GOP policy platform drafted by several Republican gubernatorial candidates yesterday, calling it the "Contract for Colorado:" "The agenda [is] modeled on the winning reform recipes of Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell in their New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races… and reassure[s] the Republican base, while specific, practical, and inclusive enough to attract swing-voting independents in the state." Rosen also writes that the plan intended to give presumptive GOP nominee Scott McInnis "something concrete to run on rather than merely running against [incumbent governor Bill] Ritter."  

"McInnis said he hopes the agenda -- perhaps the first time the GOP has crafted such a unified message in Colorado -- will unify the party and appease Republican factions that have been hesitant to embrace him. 'The reality of it is: A party can split and take second place or a party can unify and take the governor's seat," McInnis said. "I've never seen the message of unification so strong among Republicans. They're tired of losing.'"  

CONNECTICUT: Colleen Flanagan, state Democratic party spokeswoman, lashed out at Rob Simmons for injecting politics into questions about where terrorism suspects should be tried. Yesterday, Simmons, a Republican running against U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, put out a press release attacking Dodd for voting to allow civilian trials for 9/11 attackers in the U.S. "Rob Simmons and his mentors, George Bush and Karl Rove, have played politics with terrorism and this country's national security since the moment 9/11 occurred," Flanagan said via email. "It's disgusting and it doesn't merit further response." 

IOWA: Former Gov. Terry Branstad said Iowa voters' early preference of him over Gov. Chet Culver is helping his fundraising as the longtime Republican governor begins cranking up his campaign operation. "In 10 contested elections, two primaries and eight general elections, I've never been 24 points ahead before," Branstad said. The Register's Iowa Poll, taken last week, showed Branstad with the support of 57 percent of likely voters, compared to 33 percent for Gov. Chet Culver, a first-term Democrat.    

KENTUCKY: "Republicans Trey Grayson and Rand Paul exchanged sharp words on the issue of Guantánamo Bay" at a "heated forum for U.S. Senate candidates Thursday at a Kentucky Association of Counties conference. Grayson's supporters distributed copies of a page on Paul's campaign Web site in May that said Paul "couldn't agree more" with a comment by U.S. Military Chief Mike Mullen that Guantánamo should be shut down. Paul, the son of Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, responded that Grayson should learn how to read. In a later interview, Paul said the Web site Grayson referred to did not accurately state his position on Guantánamo," later clarifying that two students had written that incorrect information on a website supporting him and apologizing for saying Grayson should learn how to read.  

MASSACHUSETTS: "The placid campaign for US Senate was jolted yesterday by an unusually heated exchange, as Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen G. Pagliuca criticized two of his rivals over health care and both of them immediately fired back, with one directly attacking Pagliuca's wealth," The Boston Globe reports. Pagliuca said: "My two opponents in this race, Attorney General Martha Coakley and Congressman Michael Capuano, have failed to meet this test,'' Pagliuca said, ignoring a fourth candidate, City Year cofounder Alan Khazei. "They will not be a reliable 60th vote in favor of health care reform."

NEW YORK: "Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani has decided not to run for governor next year after months of considering a candidacy, according to people who have been told of the decision," the New York Times writes. "It remains unclear whether the former mayor is considering any other political race in 2010. Some have urged him to take on Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, who is newly installed in office, has never run statewide and is still introducing herself to voters in some areas. Mr. Giuliani is said to have made no decision about such a race."

"Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who many Republicans have been pushing to run for governor in 2010, is instead leaning more toward a run for U.S. Senate, according to two party advisers. The adviser noted that nobody is saying Giuliani has decided, but it "certainly sounds" like he is less interested in running for governor. Another adviser echoed that."

The New York Post: "Rudy Giuliani isn't going to run for governor in 2010, avoiding a potentially bruising election fight against Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, several sources said yesterday. And while he's left the door open to running for US Senate against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, many people close to him said they considered such a run unlikely, despite a report claiming he had made up his mind and would announce for that race within 48 hours."

The Daily News: "The former mayor is not particularly tempted by any public office -- mostly because his private life is working out just fine, thank you."

TEXAS: Gov. Rick Perry and challenger Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison launched the first television commercials of their fractious primary fight with each side claiming the conservative high ground aimed at winning Republican voters. The head-to-head TV war, which some observers hadn't expected until next year, marks a significant escalation in what already has been a bloody, expensive campaign. (Hutchison ad.)

Palestinian-born Houston businessman Farouk Shami jumped into the Democratic race for governor Thursday. Texans are "ready and open-minded" enough to vote for someone who's serious about fixing the economy, he said, even a political long shot who has never held public office." Shami "struck it rich in the hair-product business, creating successful brands such as BioSilk and CHI hair tools… He has pledged to spend $10 million of his own money before the March 2 primary."  

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Sarah Palin released the second leg of her "Going Rogue" book tour yesterday, including a stop in Fort Hood.

"I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in every stop on the tour, but I'm especially looking forward to meeting our brave men and women in uniform at Fort Hood," Palin said on her Facebook page. "I'm joining the efforts of many others by donating my royalties from the book sales during our stop at Fort Hood to the families of the victims whose lives have been forever changed by the tragic events of November 5th. I am humbled to be able to join the larger effort called 'Community Response to 11/5,' which was established by the Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter of the Association of the US Army (AUSA)."

Yesterday, Palin said, "I think that there were massive warning flags that were missed all over the place and I think that it was quite unfortunate that, to me, it was a fear of being politically incorrect to not -- I am going to use the word -- profile this guy -- profile in the sense of finding out what his radical beliefs were. … Now, because I used the word 'profile' I am going to get clobbered tomorrow morning. The liberals, their heads are just going to be spinning. They're going to say 'she is radical, she is extreme.' "

Palin did not specify what she meant by "profile," widely and generally believed to be a reference to focusing on groups of people by race, religion or otherwise. There certainly was seemingly enough evidence that Army Major Nadal Hasan was not a competent psychiatrist without "profiling" him. But, NPR reported, that Hasan's religion may have been a factor in him being passed – despite his poor marks. And the FBI has said it was aware of Hasan's communications with a radical Imam prior to the shooting, but deemed them not necessarily evidence of so-called radical views.

Hardly "liberals," Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen gave differing views than Palin on profiling.

"[I]n a nation as diverse as the United States the last thing we need to do is start pointing fingers at each other, particularly when there's no basis in fact for it," Gates said, summarizing the Bush administration's stance on the subject.

Mullen: "My message to all those in uniform, including Muslims in uniform, is how much we appreciate their service, the difference that they make; that the -- I have for my entire career -- the diversity of our force is one of its greatest strengths. And that not unlike what the secretary said, that no one should draw any rapid conclusions. And we need to ensure that we treat everybody fairly -- I mean, before this incident and after this incident, everybody fairly. And there are procedures that exist in all the services to -- to look our people and our programs and evaluate ourselves routinely. And I am sure that leaders are doing that."

The United States has a long and, at points, embarrassing history of profiling -- notably with the sequestering of Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II and more recently with police profiling black drivers.

Fuller Gates/Mullen remarks, as well as the rest of Palin's schedule after the jump:

QUESTION: Sir, what is your advice to, say, an Army family right now going in and out of Fort Hood or another base that is now perhaps looking at their neighbors with suspicion? What are you telling them? What should they be watching?

GATES: Well, I think that -- you know, I remember being on the outside of the government after 9/11 and the cautions that President Bush and others in the government exercised against identifying certain categories of people as -- as potentially suspicious.

And -- and the thrust of their remarks was that in a nation as diverse as the United States the last thing we need to do is start pointing fingers at each other, particularly when there's no basis in fact for it.

So until all the evidence is in, I think that the comments about how we treat each other still ought to apply. And I know this is an issue that's of concern to the services.

MULLEN: I would add to that that it doesn't take this kind of direction to have leaders recognize the challenges that are associated with this. Every base, every unit literally -- leaders have, I think, immediately grabbed this to look within, to, kind of, see where they are, and to look at what -- whether there's potential or not, and to reassure members and families that -- that not only do we take it extremely seriously, we are looking at it, and to really come together in what is -- you know, what was certainly a tragic, tragic incident and a reminder of the times in which we live, and that leaders are, in fact, taking action, literally before this guidance to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

QUESTION: (inaudible) message to the Muslim community in uniform, because they are very -- they're caught by this incident?

MULLEN: My message to all those in uniform, including Muslims in uniform, is how much we appreciate their service, the difference that they make; that the -- I have for my entire career -- the diversity of our force is one of its greatest strengths. And that not unlike what the secretary said, that no one should draw any rapid conclusions. And we need to ensure that we treat everybody fairly -- I mean, before this incident and after this incident, everybody fairly.

And there are procedures that exist in all the services to -- to look our people and our programs and evaluate ourselves routinely. And I am sure that leaders are doing that.

Palin's schedule:

Nov. 30
RICHLAND, WA
TBD

Dec.1
PHOENIX. AZ
Costco
1445 West Elliot
Tempe, AZ 85284
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

ROSWELL, NM
Hastings Books
1705 N. Main Street
Roswell, NM 88201
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Dec. 2
SPRINGFIELD, MO
Border's Books & Music
3300 S. Glenstone Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Dec. 3
FAYETTEVILLE, AR
Sam's Club
3081 North Highway 112
Fayetteville, AR 72704
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Hastings Books
2300 West Main Street
Norman, OK 73069
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Dec. 4
DALLAS, TX
Legacy Books
7300 Dallas Parkway
Plano, TX 75024
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

FORT HOOD, TX
AAFES
Main Exchange, Building 50004
Clear Creek Road
Fort Hood, TX 76544
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Dec. 5
FAIRFAX, VA
BJ's
13053 Fair Lakes Shopping Center
Fairfax, VA 22033
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Dec. 6
SIOUX CITY, IA
Barnes & Noble
4400 Sergeant Road
Sioux City, IA 51106
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

SIOUX FALLS, SD
Barnes & Noble
3700 West 41st Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Dec. 7
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Barnes & Noble
Mall of America
118 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Dec. 8
BILLINGS, MT
Borders Books & Music
2833 King Avenue West
Billings, MT 59102
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Borders Books & Music
1710 Briargate Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Dec. 9
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Costco
1818 South 300 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

RENO, NV
Costco
2200 Harvard Way
Reno, NV 89502
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Dec. 10
COEUR D'ALENE, ID
Fred Meyer
560 West Kathleen
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

SANDPOINT, ID
TBD

Dec. 11
HOME TO ALASKA!

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell and Domenico Montanaro
In the Reid healthcare bill, there is a new 5% tax on elective cosmetic surgery.

Today, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, who is a physician and staunchly opposed to this legislation, suggested on the Senate floor that a woman would be taxed if she had breast reconstruction surgery following cancer.

"In this bill is a 5% tax on cosmetic surgery," Coburn said. "Just yesterday -- the day before yesterday, U.S. preventive task forces, services, recommended because it's not cost effective that women under 50 not get mammograms unless they have risk factors. Well, you tell that to the thousands of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer lat last -- last year under 50 with a mammogram. You tell them it's not cost effective. Also in this bill is a 5% tax on the breast reconstruction surgery after they had a mastectomy. They're going to tax having your breast rebuilt after your breast is taken off because it is elective plastic surgery. It is elective cosmetic surgery. We're going to have a tax on it because we've taxed elective cosmetic surgery. We're in trouble as a nation because we've taken our eye off the ball."

First, the task force's recommendation on mammograms wasn't one based on cost -- it was based on science and research.

Second, is Coburn correct on his point about the bill? The text of the bill defines elective cosmetic surgery like this: "not necessary to ameliorate a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease." 

Is cancer resulting in a mastectomy be considered a "disfiguring disease?"

From NBC's Courtney Kube
Despite the fact that Germany decided to extend their current commitment in Afghanistan earlier this week, the German Defense Minister said today that they will not commit to any additional troops there until after President Obama announces his decision on the way forward in Afghanistan.

After a meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates today, German Minister of Defense Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg told reporters at the Pentagon that he is "eagerly" waiting for "a new concept and new strategic ideas from our American friends."  

Before the Germans commit any additional troops, Guttenberg said that they also need "a clear commitment by the Afghan government."

"We need more than just words; we need action" by the Afghan government, Guttenberg said.

Gates added that while he has been saying for the past three years that the U.S. and coalition "can use all the help we can get" in Afghanistan, that until the president has announced his decisions it would be "premature" to ask for other nations to contribute additional troops.

Germany is the third-largest troop contributor in Afghanistan, after the U.S. and Great Britain.

From NBC's Mark Murray
CEDAR CREEK, Tex. -- Given that this year's Republican Governors Association meeting is taking place here in Texas, reporters today asked RGA Chairman Haley Barbour, the governor of Mississippi, to weigh in on the Rick Perry-vs.-Kay Bailey Hutchison GOP primary for Texas governor.

Barbour said that the RGA doesn't take sides in primaries, but that he was personally backing Perry. "I personally think Gov. Perry should be re-elected," he said.

And then he added this: "I hope Sen. Hutchison will stay in the United States Senate for the rest of my life."

Asked why he supported Perry over Hutchison, Barbour replied, "I thought he deserved re-election." He then went on to say: "I would hate to lose Kay Bailey in the Senate."

When asked if he has talked to Hutchison about staying in the Senate, Barbour responded simply, "She and I have talked."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray
The New York Times reported that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani "has decided not to run for governor of New York next year after months of mulling a candidacy," citing "people who have been told of the decision."

The official word out of Giuliani world is non-committal.

"Rudy has a history of making up his own mind and has no problem speaking it. When Mayor Giuliani makes a decision about serving in public office, he will inform New Yorkers on his own," Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella said in a statement. And that's all she would say.

That is not the kind of statement that will end speculation, particularly in the New York media market.

Sources say the state Republican Party has not been told of any decision by Giuliani.

Nick Ayers, the executive director of the Republican Governors Association, tells First Read that he's not surprised that Giuliani would decide not to run for governor. Giuliani's candidacy was always a longshot, he said. 

Currently, former New York GOP Congressman Rick Lazio is running for governor. Lazio, you might remember, lost in a bid for U.S. Senate against Hillary Clinton when she first ran and won for the seat.

Ayers said the Republicans' ability to compete in New York will largely hinge on who the Democratic nominee is -- either the vulnerable incumbent Gov. David Paterson or the more popular state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

That has also been widely considered to be part of Giuliani's calculus. Giuliani has trailed Cuomo in polling for months. Cuomo has appeared increasingly likely to run of late. But Paterson has defiantly said he would run, despite approval ratings mired in the 20s and teens and polling showing him losing to almost everyone.

As far as the assertion that Giuiliani might run for the Senate instead, National Republican operatives have been saying for months that they do not expect Giuliani to seek the GOP nomination for the Senate next year. And that nothing has changed today since the news broke.

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today said the crucial vote to bring the legislation to the floor will happen "sometime" Saturday. But he was uncertain he had to 60 votes required to start debate.

"We'll find out when the votes are taken," he said during a Q & A with reporters at a rally with supporters.

Assuming Reid can get the bill to the floor, he will face other 60 vote thresholds, including one for final passage. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) made it clear he will filibuster the final passage of a bill that contained any form of a public option.

Responding to a question about his thin margin for error, Reid said he's had recent conversation with Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both from Maine.

"We will reach out to our Republican colleagues," he said. "We would like to work with them. But everyone should understand, we're going to do a bill. We hope that we don't have to do it with [only] Democrats, but if we have to we will."

When asked if he threatened his centrist holdouts with using the procedural tool called reconciliation, where only 51 votes would be needed for final passage, Reid said, "I'm not using reconciliation."

From NBC's Betsy Cline
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen said today the president's decision on troop levels was imminent for Afghanistan, though he didn't know exactly when.

In response to a question about what worries him most, Mullen told a group of National Guardsmen it was Afghanistan and Pakistan keeping him up at night. But, he said, the deliberations with the President's national security team about what to do next have been positive and open to differing viewpoints. He said he appreciated the depth and breadth of the conversations.

Defense Secretary Gates also spoke at the event but did not mention the pending Afghanistan decision. He spoke mostly supporting the National Guard and their families, particularly in regards to increasing troop dwell time, or the amount of time between deployments.