The Note’s Must-Reads for Monday, August 23, 2010

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 Digital News Associates and Desk Assistants JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES, REBECCA HILLMAN, CARRIE HALPERIN AND JENNIFER METZ

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AFGHANISTAN:

The Washington Post’s Craig Whitlock: “Facing Afghan Mistrust, Al-Qaeda Fighters Take Limited Role in Insurgency” LINK

ELECTION 2010:

Politics Daily’s Lou Cannon: “2010 Elections: Big Potential for Republican Governor, Redistricting Wins” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Thomas Catan: “GOP’s Fund-Raising Handicap Raises Election Concerns” LINK

The Washington Times’ Joseph Weber: “’Tea Party’ struggles on Democrats’ turf” LINK

OBAMA/WHITE HOUSE:

Time’s Mark Halperin: “Obama’s Social Security Attacks Kill Any Chance of Bipartisan Reform” LINK

Politico’s Kendra Marr: “Obama’s truce with teachers” LINK

MEDICAL PRIVACY:

The New York Times’ Robert Pear: “Tighter Medical Privacy Rules Sought” LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Los Angeles Times’ Don Lee and Laura King: “4 U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan; Karzai discusses security with Amanpour” LINK

The New York Daily News’ James Gordon Meek: “Gen. Odierno warns troops may stay in Iraq well beyond Obama’s 2011 withdrawal target” LINK

ECONOMY:

The Los Angeles Times’ Shane Goldmacher: “Holding budget ransom may be Schwarzenegger’s last hope” LINK

HEALTH CARE:

The Hill’s Julian Pecquet: “Insurance agents fight for survival in world after health reform” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEO:

“Hillary: ‘The President And I Are Encouraged’” LINK

“Washington Post’s Perry Bacon Jr., on ‘Top Line’” LINK