The Hill Articles: December 15, 2009

Weiner dispels notion that he inspired Lieberman’s stance against Medicare buy-in Burris backs Gitmo prisoner transfer to Illinois Lieberman leaves door open for Republican candidacy in 2012 Environmentalists challenge approval of Shell’s Alaskan drilling Sen. Klobuchar stands up for Lieberman Kucinich would ‘order everyone to eat vegan brownies’ GOP eyes new candidate to take on Mollohan Catholic bishops hold the line on abortion language Huckabee donates Twitter background to Rubio DAY’S END ROUND UP Rep. Blumenauer doles out Christmas fruitcakes Wealthy businessman to challenge Rep. Chet Edwards It’s all about Joe Lieberman expresses regret to colleagues over healthcare tension Sen. Casey: Some Dems signal willingness to vote for bill despite qualms Dean urges Dems to kill Senate bill Congressman remembers late evangelist Oral Roberts Pelosi: Jobs bill by State of the Union TOP TWEETS Obama tells lawmakers not to allow disagreements to kill health reform Progressive Caucus leader warns Dems may stay home from polls over health bill Tea Party supporters, conservative groups rally outside Capitol Obama talks ‘caulkers’, energy efficiency in Home Depot visit Unhappy New Year: Without congressional action, seniors could lose access to medical supplies Kerry hits Palin in fundraising push Snowe has ‘misgivings’ about health bill, Christmas vote Industry group opposes health bill after latest compromise Wind turbine noise not a health threat, trade group says Coalition of groups on left and right want delay on Bernanke vote Roxana Tiron AARP endorses Senate health bill Snowe, Warner: FCC should hire more engineers Official: Verifying China’s emissions a key issue at ‘bumpy’ Copenhagen talks Public option backer Sen. Brown still supports health bill Tea party group tweets latest healthcare protest Sanders: Dropping public option, Medicare buy-in ‘disturbing’ Obama picks Xmas gifts for Gibbs, Cabinet member at Home Depot Herron’s website deleted reference to ‘liberal causes’ Make Wall Street Washington’s partner Want to hear from Sen. McCaskill on Twitter? Follow her directions Hoyer: House can pass healthcare reform bill without public option Hatch gives Obama a ‘C’ Grayson rails on Afghan surge, will vote against funding House eyes jobs bill, $300B debt hike Latest Blue Dog in trouble: South Dakota’s Rep. Herseth Sandlin Conyers spotted in a fashionable tuxedo jacket Kyl pledges GOP still won’t vote for health bill, despite compromise MIDDAY ROUNDUP DCCC targets five with radio ads on regulatory reform Key House Dem touts positives in Senate health bill ‘No doubt’ of U.S. climate commitment, Clinton says Passage of Collins’s amendments not a guarantee of her support Key House Dem touts positives in Senate health bill Lieberman signals support for emerging Senate health bill ‘No doubt’ of U.S. climate commitment, Clinton says Rep. Costello to seek chairmanship of Science and Technology Committee The Big Question: Lieberman on healthcare: political folly or fortune? NFL broadcaster to testify at House hearing Poll shows support for Dems’ climate, jobs link Herrera fills out GOP lineup card in retiree districts We need to put a personal face on Copenhagen (Rep. Shelley Moore Capito) EPA plans GHG reporting rule for enhanced oil recovery, sequestration NFL broadcaster to testify at House hearing Deficit/debt hawks circling … aimlessly Poll: Fighting global warming can help economy GOP favorite to face Childers gets primary opponent Bayh’s shot at Dems who ‘don’t focus on economics’ Healthcare reform, and other clichés Schwarzenegger backs off healthcare support Under cover at the White House Obama transferring Guantanamo detainees Seals grabs teachers’ endorsement Obama steps into rich nation-poor nation divide on climate Left launches ad against Emanuel on public option Some Senate Dems holding out hope on Medicare buy-in Poe: Guests didn’t want to ‘hang out with’ Biden Eshoo, Whitehouse lead crusade against loud TV ads Dorgan uncertain drug amendment will pass Don’t forget about Nelson New poll shows Gillibrand down 13 points in primary ‘60 Minutes,’ again Caligiuri grabs former Rep. Johnson’s endorsement Klobuchar: Lawmakers ‘nearing consensus’ on healthcare Durbin: Dems will have votes to pass health reform by next week Biden: Stimulus has ‘primed the pump’ of the economy Biden ‘confident’ that Lieberman will vote for final healthcare bill Comprehensive immigration reform, A.S.A.P. (Rep. Luis Gutierrez) Current White House agrees to restore missing Bush Administration emails Use reconciliation and pass a strong public option MORNING READ Huffington Post Drudge Report TalkLeft Right Wing News Open Left RedState House GOP unites against recent White House-backed bills Hawaii special-election rules give GOP hope Weyant’s World: December 15, 2009 Reid vows help for Medicare drug costs Obama leans on bankers to lend more Another Red-state Democrat announces retirement; could signal coming trend House heads for Saturday defense vote Will Cantwell’s anti-Wall Street climate plan catch on? Sen. Burris hints at shift from public option threats Defense spending bill ignores budget cuts pushed by Pentagon Christmas shopping in Congress Bordallo spends big for big event Lungren congratulates newly engaged intern Six-year-old tells Obama, ‘I’ve never seen you before!’ Danny Glover marks 25th anniversary of apartheid protests ‘Cramdown’ legislation could be a losing battle, backers say Lieberman’s wife targeted by liberal website House readies Iran sanctions on gas imports Sen. Reid bows to centrists, will drop Medicare buy-in provision to pass bill Bottom Line