The most important number in politics today (49)

49 That's the percentage of Americans who said the country should "mind its own business internationally" in a new Pew poll, a potentially troubling isolationist sentiment for President Barack Obama in the wake of his commitment of 30,000 more American troops to Afghanistan earlier this week. (The Washington Post)

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Election was ‘last gasp’ for city’s political machine

The Atlanta political machine that elected Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, Bill Campbell and Shirley Franklin is still alive.

But some political observers say the razor-thin margin of Kasim Reed’s apparent victory over Mary Norwood in the Dec. 1 mayoral runoff shows that it’s on life support. (The Atlanta Business Chronicle)

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In poll, majority of young adults disapproves of US troop buildup in Afghanistan

Two-thirds of young adults oppose sending more US troops to Afghanistan, according to a national poll released yesterday by the Harvard University Institute of Politics that suggests fissures in a key demographic that helped President Obama capture the White House. (The Boston Globe)

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It's Politics: City finances going to get worse before they get better

Southern California Association of Governments regional council president John Edney had bad news for cities Friday - things are going to get worse, much worse.

Already dealing with falling revenues and state takeaways, many cities have already trimmed the fat, and sometimes a lot of meat, from their budgets. (sgv Tribune)

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Texas Politics: Enough Heat to Melt the Austin Snow

Today Houston Mayor Bill White made the official move to run in the Democratic primary for Texas Governor. Hank Gilbert decided to switch races and run for Agriculture Commissioner instead of Governor, leaving Bill White as the frontrunner battling it out with CHI founder, Farouk Shami, and Kinky Friedman, as well as Felix Alvarado and Bill Dear. (Burnt Orange Report)

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Health care issues: Medical cost inflation

A look at key issues in the health care debate:

THE ISSUE: Why do medical costs increase at a rate faster than inflation? (AP)

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Copenhagen: Doomed by Politics, Doomed by Itself

Two days still remain until the start of the Copenhagen climate summit, an international meeting of leaders meant to find a solution to human-caused climate change. But nevermind the negotiations; they’re doomed to failure. So are we, if we rely on the politicians. (bNet)

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US-POLITICS Summary

U.S. President Barack Obama will attend the end of the Copenhagen climate change summit, a late change of plan the White House attributed on Friday to growing momentum toward a new global accord. (Reuters)

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The Science and Politics of Climate Change

I am a climate scientist who worked in the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia in the 1990s. I have been reflecting on the bigger lessons to be learned from the stolen emails, some of which were mine. (WSJ)

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The most important number in politics today

That's the percentage of people who didn't recognize Sen. Harry Reid's name in a new independent poll that shows the Nevada Democrat in deep electoral trouble. (The Washington Post)

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