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1.) Rubio hearts the middle class — Let the 2016 Republican presidential primary begin. TheDC’s Alexis Levinson reports:
“Sen. Marco Rubio fleshed out a vision of his policy plans Tuesday that focused on strengthening the middle class by expanding economic growth and ensuring that American workers are sufficiently skilled, trying on a policy agenda that Americans may see a lot of in 2016. … Rubio, who was accepting the Jack Kemp Foundation Leadership Award, mentioned some specifics about his agenda for the first time, spelling out his prescriptions for what government needs to do in order to promote the success of the middle class. ‘The existence of a large and vibrant American middle class goes to the very essence of America’s exceptional identity,’ Rubio said. ‘Every country has rich people. But only a few places have achieved a vibrant and stable middle class. And in the history of the world, none has been more vibrant and more stable than the American middle class.'”
Another top 2016 Republican contender, Paul Ryan, also gave a speech at the event.
2.) Food stamp shenanigans? — TheDC’s Caroline May reports:
“Two Republican senators are concerned that current policies and materials distributed by the government’s Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) could be encouraging paid volunteers to inappropriately use food stamp benefits. South Dakota Republican John Thune, chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, and Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, sent a letter to CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer on Tuesday inquiring about why the CNCS participants already enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp program, appears to have grown, resulting in expanded food stamp use among government-funded volunteers.”
3.) The Podcast of Podcasts arrives — The Daily Caller has launched a podcast. On the latest episode:
“Have you ever wanted a cushy ambassadorship but don’t have the diplomatic wherewithal to deserve one? Then magazine publishing is for you! Vogue publisher Anna Wintour is on the shortlist to be Obama’s pick for ambassador to the U.K. But does she deserve it? Also, Christmas is rapidly approaching, and you probably need some awesome gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for-someone in your life. We’re here to help
whittle down your options. Finally, Egypt is in disarray — or is it? We know the answer.”
Listen to it now — or we’ll be cancelled. Seriously!
4.) It’s the end of the world as we know it — Barbara Walters is officially insane. TheDC’s Taylor Bigler reports on the End of Days:
“Congrats, Mayans, you were right about that 2012 apocalypse: Honey Boo Boo Child was named one of the year’s ‘most fascinating people.’ Allana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson, formerly of TLC’s ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’ and her McIntyre, Georgia-based family are the stars of ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,’ in which they speak entirely in English but subtitles are required to understand what they are saying.”
Well, America was nice while it lasted.
5.) Tweet of Yesterday — Eric Trager: So sad: nobody told Yglesias about Vogue’s Assad profile. MT @mattyglesias Snark directed at Anna Wintour as ambassador to UK 99% sexism.
6.) Today in North Korean News — BREAKING: “Foreigners Praise Kim Jong Il”
SLIDESHOW: 10 Christmas gifts you should never give to anyone