"John Boehner getting bad reviews on ‘fiscal cliff’ talks" posted by Jon Cohen, Scott Clement and Aaron Blake; The Washington Post
"By a better than 2-to-1 margin, registered voters disapprove than approve of House Speaker John Boehner’s performance during the fiscal cliff talks, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll – a negative rating due in large part to the lack of uniform support for him among Republicans."
"North Korea launches rocket, raising nuclear arms stakes" by Jack Kim and Mayumi Negishi, Reuters
"North Korea successfully launched a rocket on Wednesday, boosting the credentials of its new leader and stepping up the threat the isolated and impoverished state poses to opponents."
"U.S. Will Grant Recognition to Syrian Rebels, Obama Says" by Mark Landler, Michael R. Gordon and Anne Bernard; The New York Times
"President Obama said Tuesday that the United States would formally recognize a coalition of Syrian opposition groups as that country’s legitimate representative, in an attempt to intensify the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad to give up his nearly two-year bloody struggle to stay in power. President Obama said Tuesday that the United States would formally recognize a coalition of Syrian opposition groups as that country’s legitimate representative, in an attempt to intensify the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad to give up his nearly two-year bloody struggle to stay in power."
"Extend the middle-class tax cuts for 98 percent" by Vice President Joe Biden, The Kansas City Star
"There are lots of areas where Democrats and Republicans disagree. But keeping middle-class taxes low isn’t on the list. So let’s extend the middle-class tax cuts right away. The Senate has done its part. As soon as the House steps up and does the same, the president will sign this tax extension into law. It could happen as quickly as this week. And as soon as it does, the American people can be confident that they’ll have the money in their pockets that they expect and deserve — and that politicians in Washington can do the right thing."
"'Let's Just Do It,' Dimon Says of Avoiding 'Cliff'" by Jeff Cox, CNBC.com
"The U.S. economy could grow at a 4 percent rate and monthly job creation could get above 200,000 if Washington politicians can 'grasp a rational fiscal policy' and avoid the 'fiscal cliff,' JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said."
"Jenna Bush Hager: 'I'm pregnant!'" by Meena Duerson, TODAY.com
"The next generation of the Bush family will arrive in 2013."