memeorandum: Schumer in-law offered judgeship (Tim Mak/The Politico)

1:15 PM ET, December 26, 2011

Top Items:

Statement from fmr. Ron Paul staffer on Newsletters, Anti-Semitism — Fmr. Senior Aide, US Cong. Ron Paul, 1997 - 2003 — Campaign Coordinator, Ron Paul for Congress, 1995/96 — National Organizer, Draft Ron Paul for President, 1991/92 — Travel Aide/Personal Asst. Ron Paul, Libertarian for President

Discussion: The Raw Story, Balloon Juice, The PJ Tatler, Betsy's Page, Althouse and Transterrestrial Musings

New York Times:

Paul Disowns Extremists' Views but Doesn't Disavow the Support — The American Free Press, which markets books like “The Invention of the Jewish People” and “March of the Titans: A History of the White Race,” is urging its subscribers to help it send hundreds of copies of Ron Paul's collected speeches to voters in New Hampshire.

Discussion: BuzzFeed, Washington Monthly, National Review, Hit & Run, Catholic Bandita, Slate, Hot Air, ABCNEWS, The Hill, The Daily Caller and Bob Owens

David Neiwert / Crooks and Liars:

The Freedom To Oppress: Why Ron Paul's Old Racist Newsletters Matter — Let's face it — Ron Paul's lame denials about his repulsively racist and homophobic newsletters of the '80s and '90s on CNN should permanently lay to rest everyone's favorite myth about the man, i.e., that he's a “straight shooter” and an “honest man”.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice

Josh Margolin / New York Post:

Schumer bro-in-law judge nod stuns NJ — Sen. Charles Schumer's brother-in-law was quietly nominated this month to a federal judgeship in New Jersey — a move that has some in the Garden State crying political foul, The Post has learned. — Kevin McNulty, who is married to Schumer's sister …

Discussion: Michelle Malkin, The Hill, Scared Monkeys, The PJ Tatler and iOwnTheWorld.com

Tim Mak / The Politico:

Schumer in-law offered judgeship — Sen. Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) brother-in-law was quietly nominated by President Barack Obama to a federal judgeship in New Jersey, even though the state's senior senator, Frank Lautenberg, was leaning toward other candidates, according to a report Monday.

Discussion: Weasel Zippers

Richard Winger / Ballot Access News:

Virginia 2011 Independent Candidate for Legislature has Big Impact on 2012 Presidential Primary — There are currently many news stories and blog discussions about the Virginia presidential primary ballot access law. Some large blogs, such as Red State, have over 300 comments about the story.

Discussion: Moe Lane, National Review, American Spectator, Pundit & Pundette, Outside the Beltway, The Gateway Pundit, The PJ Tatler, Bearing Drift and NewsBusters.org

Jonathan Easley / The Hill:
Gingrich camp likens Virginia ballot setback to Pearl Harbor

Discussion: Firedoglake, Wonkette, Daily Kos, Hot Air and Mediaite

Rich Lowry / National Review:

“We Don't Have Our ‘A Team’ on the Field” — Speaking of discontent with the Republican field, I talked the other day to a pretty prominent conservative officeholder who's constantly been discussing with people around the country the possibility of a new entrant or a push to draft someone. But who?

Discussion: Whiskey Fire, Firedoglake, Outside the Beltway and Balloon Juice

E.J. Dionne Jr / Washington Post:

Obama: The conservative in 2012 — At a moment when the nation wonders whether politicians can agree on anything, here is something that unites the Republican presidential candidates — and all of them with President Obama: Everyone agrees that the 2012 election will be a turning point involving …

Discussion: Washington Monthly, The Moderate Voice, The Caucus, Taylor Marsh, Balloon Juice, The Other McCain and Connecting.the.Dots

Tyler Durden / zerohedge.com/fullrss2.xml:

China Insolvency Wave Begins As Nation's Biggest Provincial Borrowers “Defer” Loan Payments — Remember, back in the day, when a bankruptcy was simply called a bankruptcy? Naturally, this was well before ISDA came on the scene and footnoted the living feces out of everything by claiming …

Discussion: Vox Popoli and Daily Pundit

Washington Post:

Solyndra: Politics infused Obama energy programs — Tony Avelar/FOR THE WASHINGTON POST - Linda Sterio, along with 1,100 full-time and temporary employees, were laid off Aug. 31 from Solyndra. The company shut down without paying severance; today Sterio remains out of work and in danger of losing her home.

Discussion: Power Line, Hot Air, Big Government, YID With LID and The Heritage Foundation

David A. Fahrenthold / Washington Post:

Many Iowans struggle with political indecision — ANKENY, Iowa — At first, she liked Texas Gov. Rick Perry. He was about faith and family, just like she is. Then she heard Perry debate. — And then she liked Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.). Another assertive Christian.

Discussion: Swampland and Booman Tribune

Chris Wallace / Fox News:
Mike Huckabee Handicaps Iowa Race; Cardinal Donald Wuerl on Meaning of Christmas

Discussion: Weasel Zippers, Iowa Caucuses, Campaign 2012, American Spectator and The Politico

Michael Levenson / Boston Globe:
Romney leads, Paul rises in N.H. poll

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Hit & Run, Outside the Beltway, Catholic Bandita and The Right Sphere

Paul Roderick Gregory / EconWorld:

Sen. Harry Reid's Unicorns: Fact Checking A Whopper — Tax policy should be serious business carried out by serious politicians using real facts and figures. This is why we have the Library of Congress and the Congressional Budget Office, among other expert institutions.

WTVF-TV:

Occupy Protestors Fight on Christmas Day — NASHVILLE, Tenn .- Protestors have been together since October 6 th occupying Legislative Plaza. But on a day that many intended to be full of festivities, quite the opposite took center stage for a time. — “Well, today we're celebrating mainly Christmas …

Discussion: Scared Monkeys and The Gateway Pundit