Afghanistan; Healthcare; Spending & Tea Party; Financial Commission

We discuss the newly released report on progress in Afghanistan and a not-so-fond remembrance of Richard Holbrooke by Bob. A federal judged ruled the health insurance purchase mandate to be unconstitutional. What's next? The lame-duck Congress tries for an omnibus spending bill, replete with earmarks and the Tea Party dunked it. And the Financial Commission has split along party lines. The GOP blames government, the Democrats blame Wall Street. Plus, Matt announces the winners of the "rename the Center" contest. ('Right Turn' blogger Jennifer Rubin sits in for Arianna Huffington, who is away.)

Banner image: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) speaks to reporters about a floor schedule on Capitol Hill December 16, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Congress is expected to vote on HR 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which would extend the Bush-era tax cuts after debating the Pomeroy amendment. Photo: by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images