Weigel

Opening Act: Happy Plan B Day

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 19: U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) makes a statement to the media at the U.S. Capitol on December 19, 2012 in Washington, DC. Speaker Boehner spoke about the ongoing talks with the White House on the so-called ‘fiscal cliff.’ (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

I’m on the Hill all day as “progress” is made on the fiscal cliff, in the form of stunts and press conferences.

Molly Redden profiles John Lott, whose continued, post-career-ending scandal success finally makes sense to me.

Mere hours after the massacre, he tweeted, “The most consistent feature of these attacks are that they occur in gun-free zones.” The next day he appeared on Piers Morgan’s show to say, “Look at what has happened, all these attacks this year have occurred where guns are banned. Look at the Aurora movie theater shooting.” And then Monday, to Soledad O’Brien: “I don’t argue Second Amendment. I argue crime. That’s what I do.”

Blame cable TV, always. The beast needs to be fed, and there are no FDA standards.

A CNN poll suggests that people have turned on the GOP, and consider it too extreme. Makes sense, given how more people voted for Democratic House, Senate, and presidential candidates than voted for Republicans.

Ruby Cramer talks to Jimmy Carter’s grandson, the guy behind the “47 percent” tape, as he launches a research firm. (Another grandson is a state senator.)

Anna Palmer explains why the NRA’s lay-low strategy is being abandoned this time.

Long-time observers and former NRA insiders say the group’s abrupt shift in communications strategy shows something unusual is happening inside the powerful group: it’s feeling heat.

Jamie Kirchick stays silent on Facebook because liberals theaten to unfriend wrong-thinkers.

And an upcoming movie will be the long-awaited riposte to Gasland.