memeorandum: Democrats Try to Rein In Fees on Consulting (Christopher Drew/New York Times)

Christopher Drew / New York Times:

Democrats Try to Rein In Fees on Consulting — It was the spring of 2004, and Senator John Kerry had just secured the Democratic presidential nomination. But as huge sums of money began pouring into his campaign, his top strategists had more on their minds than just getting ready for a tough race against President Bush.

Discussion: Firedoglake, MyDD, ThatPoliticalBlog, Brilliant at Breakfast, The Carpetbagger Report and Multi Medium

Frank Newport / Gallup:

Questions and Answers About Americans' Religion — More than 8 out of 10 Americans identify with a Christian faith — Christmas is obviously a Christian holiday. But what percentage of Americans today identify with a Christian religion? — About 82% of Americans in 2007 told Gallup interviewers …

Discussion: Scared Monkeys, David Seaton's News Links and Macsmind

Lisa Girion / Los Angeles Times:

Court curbs insurers' ability to rescind medical policies — A ruling restricts the ability of California health plans to cancel coverage after patients run up medical bills. — California health insurers have a duty to check the accuracy of applications for coverage before issuing policies …

Discussion: ThatPoliticalBlog and Eschaton

Elena Becatoros / Associated Press:

Iraqis Crowd Churches for Christmas Mass — BAGHDAD (AP) - Thousands of Iraqi Christians made their way to church through checkpoints and streets lined with blast walls, many drawing hope from a lull in violence to celebrate Christmas Mass in numbers unthinkable a year ago.

Discussion: Tammy Bruce and Gateway Pundit

Ian Fisher / New York Times:

Pope Makes Appeal on the Environment — ROME — Pope Benedict XVI reinforced the Vatican's growing concern with protecting the environment in the traditional midnight Christmas Mass on Tuesday, bemoaning an “ill-treated world” in a homily given to thousands of pilgrims here in the seat of the world's billion Roman Catholics.

Discussion: Firedoglake, Concurring Opinions and Truthdig

Rsinderbrand / CNN Political Ticker:

Bush gives purse, gets biking gear for Christmas — WASHINGTON (CNN) - It's hard to imagine a tough guy from Texas shopping for a pocketbook, but President Bush gave his wife a new purse and a silver tray for Christmas, according to an aide to First Lady Laura Bush.

Robert Barnes / Washington Post:

Partisan Fissures Over Voter ID — The Supreme Court will open the new year with its most politically divisive case since Bush v. Gore decided the 2000 presidential election, and its decision could force a major reinterpretation of the rules of the 2008 contest.

Discussion: Obsidian Wings, ThatPoliticalBlog and The Heretik

Rasmussen Reports:

Election 2008: Clinton vs. McCain and Huckabee — McCain 49% Clinton 43%; Clinton Leads Huckabee by Four — With the first primary contests less than two weeks away, Senator John McCain has gained a six-point lead over Senator Hillary Clinton in the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.

Discussion: Hartford Courant, The Moderate Voice, Yahoo! News, CBS News and PoliGazette

Dan Glaister / Guardian:

Cheney accused of blocking Californian bid to cut car fumes — The US vice-president, Dick Cheney, was behind a controversial decision to block California's attempt to impose tough emission limits on car manufacturers, according to insiders at the government Environmental Protection Agency.