The Note’s Must-Reads for Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News Desk Assistants JAYCE HENDERSON, PETER MARTINEZ, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, CLAUDIA MORALES, CARRIE HALPERIN and JESSICA HOPPER

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PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION:

ABC News’ Sunlen Miller: “Obama to Veterans: “America will not let you down” LINK

ABC News’ Rick Klein: “Is the Obama Army Stirring?” LINK

ABC News’ Gen. Powell to President Obama on Af-Pak Strategy:”Take Your Time” LINK

ABC News’ Mathew Jaffe: “’Frustrated’: AIG’s CEO on Obama Pay Limits” LINK

Politico’s Andy Barr: “Perry: Obama ‘hell-bent’ on socialism” LINK

The New York Times’ Sam Dillon: “After Criticism, the Administration Is Praised for Final Rules on Education Grants” LINK

The Washington Post’s Joel Achenbach: “Feeling the weight of war” LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Christi Parsons: “Obama makes a vow to veterans of today's wars" LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Deborah Solomon and Jonathan Weisman: “White House Aims to Cut Deficit With TARP Cash” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Neil King Jr.: “Stimulus to Reward States That Overhaul School Systems” LINK

The Washington Times’ S.A. Miller: “Obama’s Union Drive Stumbles in N.H.” LINK

USA Today's The Oval: "President Obama, record-setting globe trotter" LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The New York Times’ Helene Cooper: “Japan Cools to America as It Prepares for Obama Visit” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Peter Spiegel: “Doubts on Karzai Complicate Troop Plan” LINK

Bloomberg’s Viola Gienger and Roger Runningen: “U.S. Envoy in Afghanistan Said to Advise Against More Troops” LINK

AFGHANISTAN:

The New York Times’ Elisabeth Bumiller and Mark Landler: “U.S. Envoy Urges Caution on Forces for Afghanistan” LINK

The New York Times’ Helene Cooper: “In Leaning on Karzai, U.S. Has Limited Leverage” LINK

The Washington Post’s Greg Jaffe, Scott Wilson and Karen DeYoung: “U.S. envoy resists increase in troops” LINK

The Hill's Sam Youngman: “Obama ponders how long Afghanistan plans will take to implement" LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Paul Richter: “U.S. ambassador warns against Afghanistan troop buildup" LINK

The Washington Times’ Jon Ward: “Obama Nears Decision On Afghan Strategy” LINK

The Associated Press: "Official: Obama wants his Afghan war options changed" LINK

USA Today's The Oval: "Obama talks Afghanistan options with military aides" LINK

USA Today's The Oval: "U.S. envoy reportedly against more troops in Afghanistan" LINK

USA Today's Jim Michaels: "Security plan looks to Afghan villages in fight against Taliban" LINK

The Boston Globe's Farah Stockman: "Afghanistan wary of US plan to send more advisers" LINK

HEALTH CARE:

The New York Times’ Abby Goodnough: “Rep. Kennedy and Bishop in Bitter Rift on Abortion” LINK

The Washington Post’s Krissah Thompson: “Initially waved off, Hispanic advocates jump into heath debate” LINK

The Washington Post’s Lois Romano: “On the front lines of health-care reform” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Naftali Bendavid and Louise Radnofsky: “Health-Bill Battle Won't Get a Recess” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Naftali Bendavid and Janet Adamy: “Bill Clinton Presses Senators to Pass Health Bill” LINK

The Washington Times’ Jennifer Haberkorn: “Lone GOP dissenter explains health vote” LINK

USA Today's Mimi Hall: "Q&A: Abortion issue and health care bill" LINK

The Boston Globe's Political Intelligence: "Pro-business group urges rethink on health care" LINK

Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown: “Health savings? No one knows” LINK

ECONOMY:

The Washington Post’s Neil Irwin: “Fed’s role makes its next move key” LINK

USA Today's Paul Wiseman: "3rd-straight monthly drop in foreclosures hints at recovery" LINK

FORT HOOD:

The Los Angeles Times' Christi Parsons: “Obama makes a vow to veterans of today's wars" LINK

SAME SEX MARRIAGE:

The Washington Post’s Tim Craig and Michelle Boorstein: “Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum” LINK

FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH:

The New York Times’ Peter Baker: “Bush Emerging for Speech to Kick Off Public Policy Institute” LINK

DEMS/G.O.P.:

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos: “GOP Takes Gallup Lead: Harbinger or Outlier?” LINK

Politico’s Andy Barr: “Dede Scozzafava: GOP attacks were ‘vicious’” LINK

The New York Times: “Senator Faces G.O.P. Rebuke Back Home” LINK

The New York Daily News' Michael Mcauliff: “America's seeing red: More prefer Republicans to Democrats in recent poll" LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Peter Wallsten: “Underdogs' Senate Bids Put Pressure on GOP” LINK

The Boston Globe's Political Notebook: "Gallup poll shows GOP taking slight voting edge over Democrats" LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The Los Angeles Times' Alexander C. Hart: “No time to waste on climate change, report declares" LINK

CONGRESS:

The Wall Street Journal’s Brody Mullins: “Earmark Beneficiaries Contributing Less to Lawmakers” LINK

The Boston Globe's Bryan Bender: "Earmarks’ cash flow lifts firms, lobbyists, lawmakers" LINK

The Boston Globe's Matt Viser: "Senate candidates disclose assets" LINK

Politico’s Jonathan Allen: “Rep.’s policy adviser guilty of fraud” LINK

Politico’s Chris Frates: “Conservative seniors’ group targets House Dem yes votes” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Washington Post’s Joe Davidson: “Connolly seeks answers on long-term-care premiums, is skeptical about cuts in mail delivery” LINK

The Hill's Kevin Bogardus and Kim Hart: “Companies lobby newest FCC members on net neutrality rule" LINK

The Hill's Kim Hart: “Silicon Valley beefs up D.C. presence" LINK

The Hill's Silla Brush: “Financial firms fight giving government breakup powers" LINK

The Washington Times’ Joseph Curl: “Silicon Valley Executives Take Up Politics” LINK

USA Today's Rick Hampson: "'Political downsizing' is latest weapon for voters" LINK

USA Today's Joan Biskupic: "Husband of retired Justice O'Connor dies" LINK

Politico’s Michael Calderone: “Lou Dobbs quits to ‘go beyond’ CNN role” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

“President Obama's War Council” LINK

“Gearing Up for a Fight Over Abortion Amendment NOW” LINK

“Obama to Veterans: American Won't Let You Down” LINK

“Subway Series: Sen. Nelson's Stance on Health Care” LINK