EmailThe 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, PETER MARTINEZ, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES and CARRIE HALPERIN
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AIR SECURITY / CHRISTMAS TERROR ATTACK:
ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “The Abdulmutallab Indictment” LINK
ABC News’ Anna Schecter and Brian Ross: “Obama Orders Air Marshal Surge by De. 1: ‘Race Against Time’” LINK
The Washington Post’s Robert O’Harrow Jr.: “Republicans put new hold on TSA nominee Erroll Southers” LINK
The Los Angeles Times’ Sebastian Rotella: “U.S. learned intelligence on airline attack suspect while he was en route” LINK
The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Perez: “Airliner-Bombing Suspect Indicted” LINK
USA Today’s Susan Page: “National security adviser: Airline bomber report to ‘shock’” LINK
Time’s Michael Scherer: “Obama’s Terrorism Postmortem: Still Not Connecting the Dots” LINK
FOREIGN AFFAIRS / TERRORISM:
The New York Times’ Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Mark Mazzetti: “Suicide bombing Puts a Rare Face on C.I.A.’s Work” LINK
The New York Times’ Al Baker: “Security for Terrorism Trials Estimated at $200 Million a Year” LINK
Wall Street Journal News Roundup: “Yemen Forces Hunt Leader of Local Al Qaeda Group” LINK
The Wall Street Journal’s Yochi J. Dreazen: “Mullen Puts Limit on U.S. Military Role in Yemen” LINK
Time’s Joe Klein: “The CIA Double-Cross: How Bad a Blow in Afghanistan?” LINK
Politico’s Laura Rozen: “Mideast envoy Mitchell: Peace talks could be completed in two years” LINK
Politico’s Jake Sherman: “Committee passes on terror hearing” LINK
GITMO:
ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “Gitmo Recidivism Rate Rises to 20 Percent Confirmed to ABC” LINK
The Los Angeles Times’ Julian E. Barnes and Christi Parsons: “More former Guantanamo detainees returning to militant activity, Pentagon says” LINK
Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff: “Gitmo Forever?” LINK
The Associated Press: “Gitmo detainee to face military commission” LINK
HEALTH CARE:
The New York Times’ David Herszenhorn: “Obama Urges Excise Tax on High-Cost Insurance” LINK
The New York Times’ Jodi Kantor: “Democrat Wears Scorn as Medal in Abortion Fight” LINK
The Washington Post’s Dan Eggen: “How interest groups behind health-care legislation are financed is often unclear” LINK
The Washington Post’s Alec MacGillis: “Health-care reform bill’s proposed tax on high-cost plans raises questions” LINK
The Washington Times’ Kara Rowland: “Pelosi: Democrats ‘close’ on health care” LINK
The Wall Street Journal’s Janet Adamy and Laura Meckler: “More Health Aid Gets Backing” LINK
USA Today’s The Oval: “Pelosi: Democrats are ‘very close’ to health care deal after Obama meeting” LINK
Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown: “Nelson: Health care before economy was “mistake” LINK
DEMOCRATS / REPUBLICANS:
ABC News’ Chris Dodd: “Sen. Chris Dodd Announces Retirement From Senate, Will Finish Term” LINK
ABC News’ Clayton Sandell: “Colorado Governor Bows Out of Race” LINK
The New York Times’ Jeff Zeleny and Adam Nagourney: “Democrats Wary After Two Senators Decide to Retire” LINK
The New York Times’ David Halbfinger: “Citing Tough Race, Dodd Steps Aside” LINK
The New York Times’ Raymond Hernandez and Alison Leigh Cowan: “Connecticut Attorney General Says He’ll Seek Senate Seat, and Is Quickly Embraced” LINK
The Washington Post’s Dan Balz: “Dodd, Dorgan, and Ritter to retire as Democrats face difficult midterm election year” LINK
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza and Paul Kane: “Connecticut Se. Chris Dodd’s retirement improves Democrats’ chances for seat” LINK
The Washington Post’s Brady Dennis: “Dodd’s retirement decision may boost chances for financial regulatory overhaul” LINK
The Washington Times’ Ralph Z. Hallow: “Steele’s side pursuits drive away big donors” LINK
The Los Angeles Times’ Jim Puzzanghera: “Sen. Dodd can now focus on his legacy” LINK
The Wall Street Journal’s Peter Wallsten and Naftali Bendavid: “Departures Shake Democrats” LINK
The Wall Street Journal’s Greg Hitt: “GOP Struggles to Capitalize” LINK
The Wall Street Journal’s Stephanie Simon: “Colorado’s Gov. Ritter Ends Bid for Re-Election” LINK
The Wall Street Journal’s Damian Paletta: “Dodd’s Retirement Muddles Financial Overhaul” LINK
USA Today’s Kathy Kiely: “Can Senate Democrats keep edge in ’10?” LINK
Newsweek’s Suzy Khimm: “Did the Dems Have a Strategy of Surrender: “Did the Dems Have a Strategy of Surrender” LINK
Newsweek’s Suzy Khimm: “Dodd’s Farewell to the Senate of Old” LINK
Politico’s John Bresnahan: “Republicans press for military trial” LINK
Politico’s Jonathan Martin and Alex Isenstadt: “Democratic majorities safe, for now” LINK
Politico’s Manu Raju and Josh Kraushaar: “Top Democrats head for the exits” LINK
The Hill’s Silla Brush: “Financial overhaul efforts likely to get boost from Dodd’s retirement plans” LINK
OTHER:
USA Today’s Mimi Hall: “New center will highlight history of White House” LINK
USA Today’s Marisol Bello: “On marriage rite, gays refocus on just unions” LINK
Time’s Joe Klein: “Obama as Jeffersonian Carterite? Hmmm.” LINK
Time’s Barbara Kiviat: “Job Stimulus: Census Bureau to Hire 1.2 Million” LINK
ABC NEWS VIDEOS:
“Dodd to Retire From Senate Career” LINK
“The Conversation: Democrats Lose Majority” LINK
“Al Qaeda Yemen Leader Captured” LINK