TAX FIGHT TURNS UGLY... OBAMA PHONES IT IN... Then goes Christmas shopping...

Headlines on Drudge
◼ GOP shuts down House on Dems’ payroll-tax gambit Washington Times

The House was set to hold a pro forma session, but two top Democrats, Reps. Steny H. Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen, demanded to be recognized to try to force a vote on the two-month extension. House Republicans have blocked that deal, which is strongly backed by President Obama, and are holding out for an extension that covers all of 2012.

◼ Obama calls Boehner, Reid amid tax cut standoff Mercury News

The White House says President Barack Obama has called House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to urge a resolution to the payroll tax cut standoff.

◼ Obama and Bo go Christmas shopping - Politico

After calling congressional leaders to reaffirm his support for the Senate-passed two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, Obama exited the Oval Office with Bo in tow and headed to a shopping strip in Alexandria, Va. — a man alone with his dog as his family vacations in Hawaii.