TPMDC Morning Roundup

WaPo: Health Care Bill Has Stolen Capitol Hill's Christmas
The Washington Post reports that Senators and their staffers have been unable to appreciate the Christmas season, because of the health care debates: "Stuck on Capitol Hill every day since Nov. 30, they have had no time for the gym, let alone Christmas -- no time to buy a tree, unpack lights and ornaments, or shop for presents. Republican aides have taken to wishing one another a 'Harry, Harry Christmas,' a not-so-subtle slight at Sen. Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), the Ebenezer Scrooge majority leader."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and meet at 10 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 10:40 a.m. ET, he will meet with CEOs of several small banks and community banks. At 4:10 p.m. ET, he will meet with members of his National Economic Council.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden is spending the morning in Wilmington, Delaware. He will meet at 9 a.m. ET via teleconference with Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. He will then speak via telephone with Romanian President Traian Basescu. Afterwards, he will go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, for a routine follow-up appointment for the sinus surgery he had last year. He will spend the remainder of the day meeting via teleconference with senior staff.

Democrats Face Challenge In Merging Health Bills
The New York Times reports that Congressional Democrats still face challenges in getting the health care bill through conference committee, with the House of Representatives having passed a more progressive bill than the one expected to clear the Senate. However, momentum is on the Senate's side: "Ms. Pelosi's room for maneuvering is limited because any changes to the language in the Senate bill could unravel the deal that provided Democrats with the 60 votes they need to get the legislation through the Senate."

Graham: 'I'm Not A Member Of A Militia, I'm Not A Birther,' I Don't Want To See America 'Become A Socialized Nation'
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is denouncing the accusation that conservative opposition to the health care bill is driven by extremists. "I'm not a member of a militia, I'm not a birther," Graham said on the Today show. "I'm a senator who wants to reform health care, but I'm not going to allow my country to become a socialized nation when it comes to health care."

DeMint On Fundraising For Conservatives: 'I Did Not Want To Be Here With The Same People'
In a new profile in The Hill, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) said that he only decided to run for re-election in 2010 if it meant he could change the Senate and the Republican Party, and thus he has been busy raising money for anti-establishment conservative primary candidates. "I decided that I did not want to be here with the same people that I've been with before, Democrats, Republicans, everybody," said DeMint. "I want some people [in the Senate] who are willing to stand up and go where America is going."

Obama Defends Self Against Black Critics
In an interview with American Urban Radio Networks, President Obama rebutted critics who say that he hasn't done enough to help the African-American community int he economic downtown, answering that his policies have helped people not lose their jobs. "The only thing I cannot do is, by law, I cannot pass laws that say 'I'm just helping black folks.' I'm the president of the entire United States," said Obama. "What I can do is make sure that I am passing laws that help all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable and most in need. That in turn is going to help lift up the African-American community."