* Ford, dead, disagreed with Iraq war while alive. Also, Woodward might’ve written something for the Post that wasn’t directly adapted from a book. [WP]
* All the criminals are in Crawford to plan their Iraq “surge.” Gates is said to have a “comprehensive plan.” [WP]
* No terror threats for New Years, so feel free to drink, puke on America’s bridges, tunnels, major infrastructure, and national icons. [AP]
* John Edwards’ carefully-managed ‘08 campaign gets off to a hilariously inept start. [WP]
* Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon has heard from other, unnamed Republican Senators who share his belief that Iraq was all a horrible mistake. [NYT]

New Defense Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to come back from Iraq today, after learning from our commanders and troops on the ground how to pretend to win more effectively. Judging by this transcript of his breakfast meeting, we’re not sure if he’ll much to report back. MORE »

Argument in favor of a “troop surge” in Iraq: It will allow us to continue to claim the next six months will be critical indefinitely. MORE »

* Joint Chiefs wary of troop increase in Iraq, make their case to the White House, get accused of being too “focused on the mission.” [WP]
* Robert Gates is sworn in as Secretary of Defense, uses occasion to dig Rumsfeld. Plus one. [WP]
* Rudy Giuliani is about to find out how Christian conservatives feel about politicians that are “Made in New York City.” [WP]
* Big Juan Enrique was a lettuce pickin’ man, died with that arugula in his hand. [WSJ]
* Justice Department inquiry into detainee abuse runs into dead-end, produces no indictments. [NYT]
* Sam Brownback lays down and lets a nominee for the Federal bench proceed, expects a reach-around. [NYT]
* India’s nuclear program goes legit. [WP, NYT]
* Renovated White House “Situation Room” is substantially less impressive than those used by Bartlett, Bauer, and Blitzer. [NYT]

* Iraqi leaders claim the Iraq Study Group’s report fails to understand the cultural complexities driving the problems in Iraq…[WP]
* …Though they might just be pissed about all the haterific comments like “grave” and “deteriorating” the group made about their country. [WP, NYT]
* Robert Gates rides a wave of “not Donald Rumsfeld” to Senate confirmation. [WP]
* Election losses make Republicans think more conservative is the way to go. [WP]
* It’s been 30 days since the election and Democrats are now fully on the take from lobbyists, including Rahm Emanuel, who just loves those Wagyu burgers. [WSJ]
* FBI unsure if there has actually been a rise in public corruption, or if they are just more competent at finding it. [WP]
* Jimmy Carter: not such a loveable old granddad after all, and maybe a plagiarist and fact maker-upper. [WP, NYT]
* Dick Cheney: not such a hate filled gorgon after all, hints he may actually love his future grandchild. [NYT]

Like Peggy Noonan and several Pennsylvanians, we’re sorry to see Rick Santorum leave the Senate. (He’ll be back in town in a few weeks, as a lobbyist for Jesus, Inc.) Today he delivered his final piece of … oratory, yes, that’s what they call it. Let’s take a quick trip to Fearville, where Rick’s actually killing terrorists in Yemen or something, and Exxon’s directors want to kill us out of pure hate: MORE »

DoD staffers aren’t even waiting for the official Senate vote; they’re so sick of Rumsfeld that portraits of Robert Gates are already on the walls. MORE »

* The Iraq Study Group will release its heavily discussed platitudes this morning. [WP]
* Senate will approve Robert Gates as Defense Secretary after only, “light probing.” [WP, NYT, LAT]
* Hillary Clinton. Is running. For President. [WP]
* Supreme court rules that illegal immigrants caught with illegal drugs can legally remain in the country. Fumar ‘em if you got ‘em.[NYT, LAT]
* Jeff Sessions talks to dead people, and Dana Milbank likes to watch. [WP]
* As the last day of school approaches, Congressional Republicans spitefully ignore appropriations bills. [WSJ]
* Lobbying for the Democrats’ ambitious 100 Hours Agenda has already begun. [WP]
* Republican House leaders shitcan the DC Voting Rights bill, again. [WP, NYT]
* 110th Congress is scheduled to actually be at work 5 days a week, evidence that, “Democrats could care less about families.” [WP]

* Outside the beltway naiveté rears its cute little non-partisan head as most Americans respond, “I don’t know,” when asked who they want for President in ‘08. [The Swamp]
* It’d be nice if for once we didn’t have to say it — Robert Gates is richer than you. [TPM Muckraker]
* The blog-commenter race wars continue as some feriners stank ass forces a plane to make an emergency landing. [TalkLeft]
* Rudy Giuliani: America’s “hyper-authoritarian narcissist with a lust for overkill verging on the sociopathic” Mayor. [Salon]
* William Jefferson is still running for Congress and from the FBI. [Election Central]
* Christopher Hitchens outs himself. [Echidne of the Snakes]
* Happy birthday, Booze! [Hit & Run]

Robert “I’m Not Rumsfeld” Gates has been almost officially put in charge of a big stinking mess. The Senate committee gave the “former” CIA spook and Iran-Contra crook a unanimous vote and now the full Senate will overwhelmingly vote for him. Good luck, bro. MORE »

Ok, the Gates confirmation hearings are boring as hell. Gates is a total sycophant, and is telling the committee whatever they want to hear. Senator Reed looks as hungover as we are. Gates is folksy as hell. MORE »