CQ Politics' Web Picks

Time: War on Terror Even Costlier Than Expected

A trio of recent reports — none by the Bush Administration — suggests that sometime early in the Obama presidency, spending on the wars started since 9/11 will pass the trillion-dollar mark. Even after adjusting for inflation, that’s four times more than America spent fighting World War I, and more than 10 times the cost of 1991’s Persian Gulf War (90 percent of which was paid for by U.S. allies).

Chicago Tribune:Lack of Christmas Service Shows Obama’s Church Dilemma

As his fellow Christians around the world attended Christmas services on Wednesday and Thursday, the president-elect and his family remained sequestered at their vacation compound on the windward coast of Oahu. His lack of attendance at formal religious services showcased a dilemma faced by Barack Obama, who is between churches and often expresses concern about bringing the disruption of his security detail into the lives of others.

Huffington Post: Intriguing Death Of Top GOP Consultant Michael Connell

The death in a plane crash of Republican Internet consultant Michael Connell raises a question: How much will Connell’s death, even if the accident was entirely without malfeasance, impede congressional committee investigations into the more controversial activities of the Bush administration over the past eight years - including the ongoing investigation into thousands of missing White House-RNC emails sent and received by some 22 White House political aides, including Karl Rove.

Washington Times: ‘Level playing field’ sought by RNC Hopefuls

A power struggle that will determine the future leadership of the Republican Party has broken into the open as dissatisfied Republican leaders pushed for a meeting early next month that they hope will be the first step toward ending Washington-based control of the party.

Washington Post: Little Blue Pills Among the Ways CIA Wins Friends in Afghanistan

In their efforts to win over notoriously fickle warlords and chieftains in Afghanisatan the CIA’s operatives have used a variety of personal services. These include pocketknives and tools, medicine or surgeries for ailing family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions, travel visas, and, occasionally, pharmaceutical enhancements for aging patriarchs with slumping libidos.

Los Angeles Times: Food Safety Reform Waits on Back Burner

Some of the leading champions of rebuilding the FDA and the food safety system acknowledge that the faltering economy, healthcare, global warming and other issues will make it tough to allocate more money for food safety, despite years of scandals involving food poisoning and tainted imports.

WSJ.com: Lessons From ‘92 Offer Hope to GOP

Tattered as Republicans look today, it’s easy to forget that they’ve been here before, and not so long ago, and recovered fairly quickly. One who remembers it well is Haley Barbour, the current governor of Mississippi, who had either the great fortune or misfortune (it wasn’t clear at the time which it was) of taking over as Republican National Committee chairman at the dawn of the Clinton presidency. Having seen this play before, Gov. Barbour knows it needn’t have an unhappy ending for his party. The script he followed at the time, in fact, may be illuminating for his party today.

Stateline.org: Economy Trims Some Govs’ Inauguration Plans

Some governors who were elected or re-elected in November are skipping the typical inaugural balls and toning down the glitz at their swearing-in ceremonies to cut costs. One new governor canceled his ball — a first for the state — and another first-time governor has called for a potluck dinner.