AP-GFK POLL: OBAMA, GOP IMPROVE THEIR STANDING

Americans give higher inscription to President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans after a public holiday season of compromise paid dividends for both, according to the latest Associated Press-GfK poll.

At the start of the divided government era, the inspection found that 53 percent of Americans commend of how Obama is doing his job, his best numbers since the divisive health care vote 10 months ago.And, compare with just after the November elections, more now express confidence with the intention of Obama and the new Republican-controlled House can work together to solve the country's most urgent problems, chief among them the struggling economy.

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OBAMA TOASTS 'SEASON OF PROGRESS' AFTER BIG WINS

Buoyant in political victory, President Barack Obama on Wednesday wrapped up a long, rough year in Washington by triumph in a rare, bipartisan "season of progress" over tax cuts, national security and civil honesty Halfway through his term, he served notice to his skeptics: "I am persistent."

The president who strode on stage for a news conference cut a extremely different figure than the Obama who, just seven weeks ago, held a similar event in which he somberly admitted he had taken a "shellacking" in the midterm election and required to re-evaluate. This time, Obama was about to jet off to a Hawaiian holiday break knowing he had secured the kind of legislative wins that rarely come so bundle as they just did, particularly in a postelection lawmaking session.

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HOUSE PASSES TAX CUTS EXTENSION; BILL HEADED FOR OBAMA'S DESK

Bill Was Passed by a Bipartisan Vote With More Democrats Actually Voting in Favor of the Deal than Republicans After months of heated debate, backroom arm-twisting and White House negotiations, just before midnight the House of Representatives finally passed a $858 billion tax cuts package, including a two-year extension on all of the Bush-era Tax Cuts a 13-month extension for unemployment insurance benefits, and approval of the controversial estate tax break that gives 6600 families a break worth $23 billion.

The compromise that President Obama negotiated with GOP leaders in Congress to avoid a tax-increase on Jan. 1 passed by a healthy, bipartisan vote  277-148, with more Democrats (139) actually voting in favor of the deal than Republicans (138).The bill now heads to the White House for President Obama's signature.

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HALFWAY HOME: SENATE SENDS TAX-RATE BILL TO HOUSE

WASHINGTON – In a reach across party lines, the Senate overwhelmingly passed sweeping legislation Wednesday to prevent a Jan. 1 income tax increase for millions and renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed.

The 81-19 roll call cleared the way for a suspenseful vote in the House on Thursday, where rebellious liberals announced plans to try and stiffen an estate tax provision they oppose as too generous to the rich.President Barack Obama quickly told reporters he wants the bill passed unchanged, so it can reach his desk quickly for a signature. And Senate Republicans have warned any modification could doom the bill's prospects for passage in time to head off the tax hikes.

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WHY THE TAX DEAL COULD BE OBAMA'S SALVATION

The "tax compromise" reached by President Obama and Congressional Republicans has left liberal Democrats feeling gypped. But it could end up being a stealth consolation prize for the Democrats after the drubbing they took in the 2010 midterms—and might even pave the way for Obama's reelection in 2012.

Many Democrats are outraged that Obama agreed to an extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for America's wealthiest earners, which is a top Republican priority. And opposition to the top-tier tax cut could still scuttle the deal in Congress, where lawmakers have to turn the broad framework into a set of laws able to get enough votes to pass the House and Senate. But by blinking on the tax cut, Obama got a long list of concessions from Republicans on other White House priorities, securing an economic "stimulus" program far bigger than most analysts thought possible in Washington's vitriolic climate.

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WH, LAWMAKERS CLEAR WAY FOR TAX CUT BILL PASSAGE

The White House and key lawmakers cleared the way Thursday night for swift Senate action to avert a Jan. 1 spike in income taxes for nearly all Americans, agreeing to extend breaks for ethanol and other forms of alternative energy as part of the deal.

Tax provisions aimed at increasing production of hybrid automobiles, biodiesel fuel, energy efficient homes, coal and energy-efficient household appliances would be extended through the end of 2011 under the bill.Debate on the expanded measure began almost immediately While there is no precise timetable for passage, a test vote was set for Monday afternoon that appears likely to demonstrate overwhelmingly support for the legislation, which supporters say would help accelerate a sluggish recovery from recession.

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US SCRAPS DEMAND FOR ISRAEL SETTLEMENTS FREEZE

The United States is abandoning efforts to persuade Israel to renew a freeze on settlement-building as part of efforts to revive Middle East peace talks.Washington had been negotiating with Israel to try to meet Palestinian conditions for restarting direct talks.

The Palestinians suspended talks in September after a 10-month freeze on Israeli building in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, expired. The US says it will continue to explore ways to bring the two sides together. a senior US official told the attempts to get Israel to renew a partial freeze on settlement construction in occupied territory had failed. But he said this did not mean the end of Washington's efforts.
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CHINA'S HU TELLS OBAMA WORRIED BY KOREA CRISIS

China is worried tensions in the Korean peninsula could spiral out of control if not dealt with properly, President Hu Jintao told U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday in their first discussion of the situation since North Korea shelled the South nearly two weeks ago.

The White House said Obama, in a telephone call with Hu, urged Beijing to work with the United States and others to "send a clear message to North Korea that its provocations are unacceptable."Later in the day in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosts talks with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts to discuss the deadly North Korean attack on a South Korean island.China, the chair of stalled international nuclear talks with Pyongyang, is not invited. However, the Washington troika are expected to discuss Beijing's proposal for emergency regional talks on the crisis.

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