Afternoon Fix: Obama's favorable rating jumps to 58 percent

Afternoon Fix from The Washington Post

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Friday, November 16, 2012

EARLIER ON THE FIX

Judge denies Rep. Allen West's recount request

The official Fiscal Cliff #FixList

California GOP Rep. Brian Bilbray concedes

Waiting for Cory Booker (or, the 2013 governor's races)

Nancy Pelosi's most memorable moments (video)

Vice President Biden's 'Parks and Recreation' cameo (VIDEO)

'The Daily Show' on Obama's 'gifts' (VIDEO)

The Republican Party's leadership vacuum (and who might fill it)

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

* Congressional leaders met with President Obama and top administration officials this morning to begin discussions on the so-called "fiscal cliff." "While we're going to continue to have revenue on the table, it's going to be incumbent for my colleagues to show the American people that we're serious about cutting spending and solving our fiscal dilemma," House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said. "And I believe that we can do this and avert the fiscal cliff that's right in front of us today."

* In the spirit of bipartisanship, Obama wished Boehner a happy birthday. "We didn't make him a cake because we didn't know how many candles we'd need," Obama joked. For the record, Boehner turned 63.

* As talks begin, Obama's favorable rating has jumped up to 58 percent, according to a new Gallup poll. That's his highest number since 2009. The Democratic Party also got a bump, but not the GOP.

* New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez are the latest Republicans to take issue with Mitt Romney's comment on "gifts." "That unfortunately is what sets us back as a party — our comments that are not thought through carefully," Martinez said at the Republican Governors Association meeting in Las Vegas. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty agreed.

* Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D) has pushed back his decision on whether to run against Christie in 2013 due to the ongoing relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy.

WHAT YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

* A missile landed near Jerusalem for the first time since 1970. Israeli troops have lined up on the Gaza border, and a senior Israeli government official said a ground war could be imminent.

* Former CIA director David Petraeus testified in secret on Capitol Hill on Friday morning, and Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) said Petraeus described the attack that killed four Americans at the consulate in Benghazi, Libya, as a planned terrorist attack. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who has been very critical of the administration's handling of Libya, praised Petraeus.

* Jill Kelley, the socialite who triggered Petraeus's downfall when she complained about threatening e-mails from Petraeus mistress Paula Broadwell, has visited the White House three times this year, according to AP.

* David Letterman, who has been no friend of Republicans in recent times, says Republicans "should take responsibility for their miscalculation and their poorly conceived policies and antiquated ideology. Thank you very much." (Rimshot.)

* The newest super PAC: Republicans for Immigration Reform.