Today's edition of quick hits:
* The sex scandal surrounding former CIA Director David Petraeus isn't done unfolding.
* President Obama still has faith in, and "thinks very highly of," Gen. John Allen. Defense officials, meanwhile, argued today Allen did not have an affair with Jill Kelley.
* As if this week weren't difficult enough for the U.S. military leadership, Four-Star Gen. William "Kip" Ward, the former head of U.S. Africa Command, has been demoted for lavish unauthorized spending on travel and other expenses.
* More than 84,000 homes and businesses in New York and New Jersey are still without power in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
* President Obama met with progressive activists at the White House today, and will meet with a dozen of the country's top chief executives representing a number of business sectors tomorrow.
* Swiftboating, Part II: the right is once again going after Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) heroic military service all over again.
* Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) opposes secession. Good to know.
* Dick Morris admitted today that his 2012 election "predictions" were insincere, and he really just intended to use his media platform to boost Republican candidates.
* Remember Lee Atwater's infamous 1981 interview on Republicans using race baiting to win elections? Our pal James Carter uncovered new audio of the GOP strategist's remarks.
* And Jeff Greenfield notes the parallels between 2012 Republicans and 1988 Democrats: "You're looking at a political party that has lost the popular vote in five of the past six elections; whose one winning presidential candidate achieved the White House thanks to a fluke; and whose prospects for the future seem doomed by demography and geography."
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.