Since his "shellacking" (his words) in last month's midterm elections, the President is on something of a roll, again politically speaking. Maybe the best month of his Presidency, legislatively.
He engineered the tax cut compromise with Republicans and basically without his fellow Democrats, and it then passed the Congress. Also passing in Congress: the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell; a new arms control treaty with Russia (SMART); and the 9-11 health care and compensation bill for first responders to Ground Zero (although last week's $7.4 billion, 10-year package was cut to $4 billion and 5 years).
All in all, a great month for a President that some cable news bloviators think will lose to Sarah Palin in two years.
And so, just before he left for a family Christmas vacation in Hawaii, the President late this afternoon met with the press. And did a bit of crowing. Coming up at 11 tonight, we'll have Mr. Obama's comments, and reaction locally to the 9-11 bill passing.
Also at 11, Broadway's most expensive show ever is supposed to re-open tonight, after missing a matinee today. The stunt man in "Spider Man – Take Back the Dark" is in serious condition in Bellevue Hospital after plunging 20 feet Monday night. The show was shutdown until federal and local safety regulators could examine the set and figure out what happened. (Most likely scenario: The harness that was properly attached to the actor, Christopher Tierney, wasn't properly attached to the equipment that was supposed to hold him in place.) We're at the Foxwoods Theatre as the technically challenging show is set to re-open.
The political future of White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley might reveal itself tonight, as the city's Common Council voted on a No Confidence resolution in light of his conviction in a domestic violence assault on his wife. The vote isn't binding, but could portend rough sledding ahead for hizzoner. We're at the vote, tonight at 11.
And we're keeping an eye on Southern California, where it keeps raining, and flooding.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Lee Goldberg's AccuWeather forecast (including what looks like a snowmaker coming Sunday into Monday), and Scott Clark with the night's sports. Not sure if he's going to deal with the tabloid frenzy over Jets Coach Rex Ryan's pictures on the Web of his wife's feet. (If you don't know about it, don't ask). I hope you can join Liz Cho and me, tonight at 11.
BILL RITTER