The Note’s Must-Reads for Friday, December 18, 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 KRISTEN RED-HORSE, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES and JESSICA HOPPER

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COPENHAGEN / ENVIRONMENT:

ABC News’ Karen Travers and Kirit Radia: “President Obama to Push for Climate Change Agreement” LINK

ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “Obama’s High Stakes Copenhagen Gamble” LINK

ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “Climate Change Deadlock?” LINK

The New York Times’ John Broder and Elisabeth Rosenthal: “Obama Has Goal to Wrest a Deal in Climate Talks” LINK

The Washington Post’s Jon Cohen and Jennifer Agiesta: “On environment, Obama and Scientists take hit in poll” LINK

The Washington Post’s Juliet Eilperin and Anthony Faiola: “U.S. pledges aid, urges developing nations to cut emissions” LINK

The L.A. Times’ Jim Tankersley: “U.S., China concessions give climate talks big boost” LINK

NY Daily News’ Kenneth R. Bazinet: “President Obama puts health care behind him (for now), flies to Copenhagen for UN climate talks” LINK

USA Today’s Mimi Hall: “Energy-thrifty White House turns deeper shade of green” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Stephen Power, Guy Chazan, Elizabeth Williamson and Jeffrey Ball: “Showdown at Climate Talks” LINK

Bloomberg’s Kim Chipman: “Obama Heads for Climate Talks Under Pressure to Break Deadlock” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Beth Daley: “Scramble for deal is on as climate talks near close” LINK

Newsweek’s Daniel Stone: “Obama’s Most Creative Speech Yet” LINK

Politico’s Glenn Thrush: “Copenhagen Connection: Day 12” LINK

Politico’s Glenn Thrush: “Chine tells U.S.: No deal” LINK

Politico’s Glenn Thrush and Louise Roug: “President Obama’s allies try to shield him from a potential climate catastrophe” LINK

The Hill’s Ben German: “President enters fray in Denmark” LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News’ Jonathan Karl: “Health Care: The Final Push” LINK

The Washington Times’ Jennifer Haberkorn: “Labor unions oppose Senate’s health bill” LINK

The New York Times’ Jeff Zeleny and Robert Pear: “A Race to Win One More Vote for Health Bill” LINK

The New York Times’ Sheryl Gay Stolberg: “Liberal Revolt on Health Care Stings White House” LINK

The Washington Post’s Paul Kane and Lori Montgomery: “Senate Democrats block GOP filibuster” LINK

The L.A. Times’ Noam N. Levey: “Senate healthcare bill now relies on regulation” LINK

NY Daily News’ Michael Mcauliff: “Democrats cross fire over health care reform bill; some Senate liberals balking at bill” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Greg Hitt and Janet Adamy: “Sen. Nelson Holds Up Health Bill” LINK

Bloomberg’s Laura Litvan and Kristin Jensen: “Nelson Says He Can’t ‘See How’ to Back Health Bill by Christmas” LINK

Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown: “Health care deadline obstacles pile up” LINK

Politico’s Meredith Shine: “Feingold defense vote moves health bill forward” LINK

Politico’s Kenneth P. Vogel: “President Obama’s troops break ranks on health care” LINK

The Hill’s Alexander Bolton: “A merry Christmas; Senate eyes Dec. 24 vote on health reform” LINK

CONGRESS:

The Washington Times’ Sean Lengell: “Democrats’ ads target House GOP on finance bill Vote” LINK

Bloomberg’s Brian Faler: “$636 Billion Defense Spending Measure Advances in U.S. Senate” LINK

The Hill’s Bridget Johnson: “Senate invokes cloture on defense bill in wee hours of the morning” LINK

The Hill’s Molly K. Hooper: “Georgia lawmakers: Biden snubbed us” LINK

BEN BERNANKE:

The Wall Street Journal’s Sudeep Reddy: “Banking Panel Backs Bernanke for New Term” LINK

The Washington Times’ Sean Lengell: “Senate panel backs Bernanke’s 2nd term” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION:

USA Today: “Obama’s hopes for health care and climate bills – at the mercy of others” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Christopher Rowland: “Not much done on agenda of change” LINK

U.S. MILITARY:

The Wall Street Journal’s Jay Solomon: “Training for the Civilian Surge” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Yochi J. Dreazen, August Cole and Siobhan Gorman: “Officers Warned of Flaw in U.S. Drones in 2004” LINK

ECONOMY / JOBS / TARP / BANKING:

The Washington Post’s Neil Irwin: “Bernanke clears hurdle for second term” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Damian Paletta: “Agencies in a Brawl for Control Over Banks” LINK

Bloomberg’s Bradley Keoun: “Obama Loses Lending Lever as Citigroup, Wells Fargo Repay TARP” LINK

DEMOCRATS / REPUBLICANS:

The Wall Street Journal’s Naftali Bendavid and Peter Wallsten: “Angry Liberals Edge Toward a Mutiny” LINK

Newsweek’s Eleanor Clift: “Why Howard Dean Is Taking on the White House” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Wall Street Journal’s Amy Merrick: “States Scramble to Close New Budget Gaps” LINK

The New York Times’ Rachel Swarns: “At White House, Holidays Are Treat and Test” LINK

The New York Times’ Carl Hulse: “Estate Tax Is Expiring, but Death Won’t Last” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEO:

“Boehner Forecasts ‘Stormy’ 2010 for Dems” LINK

“Obama on Afghanistan, Health Care” LINK

“Senators Spar on Bernanke Vote” LINK

“Emotional Mother on Dangers of Carbon Monoxide” LINK

“Outlook on the Economy” LINK