memeorandum: VIEWPOINT: Republicans Lost Because Voters Rejected Their Economic Vision (Jeff Spross/ThinkProgress)

4:15 AM ET, November 18, 2012

Top Items:

Susan Rice's tarnished resume — President Obama had a rare “bring-it-on” moment when ABC News's Jonathan Karl asked him about threats by Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham to block the confirmation of Susan Rice, should he nominate her for secretary of state.

Discussion: Ricochet Conversations Feed, NewsBusters.org blogs, Muckety, Washington Monthly and Wonkette

Mark Landler / New York Times:

Susan E. Rice Caught Up in Furor Over Benghazi — WASHINGTON — Susan E. Rice was playing stand-in on the morning of Sept. 16 when she appeared on all five Sunday news programs, a few days after the deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.

Discussion: The Hinterland Gazette

Wall Street Journal:

Hillary and Libya — The policy failure goes beyond the murder of her deputies in Benghazi. — David Petraeus told Congress Friday in closed hearings that the CIA believed from the start that the September 11 attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi were by terrorists.

Discussion: Hot Air and The Lonely Conservative

Haaretz:

LIVE BLOG: IDF prepares for ground invasion as Gaza offensive enters fourth day — Arab League delegation set to arrive in Gaza on Sunday; IDF chief instructs air force to intensify aerial attacks; Barak to Panetta: Israel is determined to achieve operation's goals; ‘Anonymous’ hackers launch an attack on Israeli websites.

Discussion: Guardian, Balloon Juice, JTA and The Atlantic Online

Helene Cooper / New York Times:

U.S. Fears a Ground War in Gaza Could Hurt Israel and Help Hamas — WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is increasingly concerned about the escalating violence in Gaza, believing that a ground incursion by Israel there could lead to increased civilian casualties, play into the hands …

Discussion: Taylor Marsh, Israel Matzav and Weasel Zippers

Jerusalem Post:

IAF bombs Hamas PM's Gaza HQ; Haniyeh unhurt — IDF strikes 200 targets overnight, hitting Hamas offices; PM calls US President Obama to discuss options for “de-escalating.” — The Israel Air force struck Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh's headquarters in the northern Gaza Strip early Saturday morning …

Discussion: The Daily Caller, Israel Matzav, The Other McCain and americanthinker.com

Jim Kuhnhenn / Associated Press:
The White House on Saturday defended Israel's right to defend itself …

Discussion: Politico

Jerusalem Post:
Iron Dome intercepts 2 Fajr-5 missiles aimed at Tel Aviv

Discussion: Israel Matzav, Weasel Zippers and THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS

Jeff Spross / ThinkProgress:

VIEWPOINT: Republicans Lost Because Voters Rejected Their Economic Vision — We're now well into the political aftermath of the 2012 election, and the pattern of destruction is telling. In demographic after demographic, Obama defeated Romney by remarkable margins: 55 percent among women …

Discussion: Booman Tribune and Brad DeLong

BuzzFeed:

Why Republicans Want Mitt Romney To Go Away — Romney will carry the party's baggage off stage. “Toxic assets” into the bad bank of Mitt. — Image by Brian Snyder / Reuters — Ten days after at least some Republicans were surprised to see Mitt Romney lose the presidency, the candidate is gone without a trace.

Discussion: Outside the Beltway, The Hinterland Gazette, Alan Colmes'Alan Colmes', The Agonist, Daily Kos and Mad Kane's Political Madness

Agence France Presse:

Petraeus asked socialite to avert anti-Islam stunt — WASHINGTON — A Florida socialite at the heart of a scandal that brought down the CIA chief was once asked by him to stop a radio talk show host who was threatening to “deep fat fry” the Koran, US media reported early on Saturday.

Discussion: Weasel Zippers, Alan Colmes'Alan Colmes' and Jihad Watch

Alice Hines / The Huffington Post:

Walmart's Internal Compensation Documents Reveal Systematic Limit On Advancement … FOLLOW: — Black Friday, Video, Sam's Club, Compensation, Dukes Vs. Walmart, Minimum Wage, Part-Time, Pay Caps, Pay Grades, Pay Plan, Walmart Managers, Walmart Promotions, Walmart Strikes, Walmart Wages, Business News

Discussion: Suburban Guerrilla

Jessica Wohl / Reuters:
Wal-Mart files U.S. labor charge against union

Discussion: Daily Kos and msnbc.com

CNN:

Photo: Obama imitates gymnast McKayla Maroney's ‘not impressed’ look — (CNN) - President Barack Obama met with members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team on Thursday and mimicked gymnast McKayla Maroney's “not impressed” look. — “Did I just do the Not Impressed face with the President..?”

Discussion: The Moderate Voice

Brendan Sasso / Ballot Box:

Democrat Ron Barber wins Gabby Giffords's seat in Arizona — Democratic Rep. Ron Barber has won a full term in Arizona's 2nd District after narrowly defeating Republican Martha McSally, the Associated Press said Saturday. — Barber was the district director for Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords …

Discussion: New York Times, CNN, Politico, New York Magazine and Roger Ailes

Kyle Balluck / Ballot Box:

Rep. West wins legal challenge — Rep. Allen West's (R-Fla.) campaign is celebrating a circuit court judge's decision that blocked Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy's attempt to stop a recount of early votes in St. Lucie County, a major part of Florida's 18th District.

Discussion: CNN