The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? PETER MARTINEZ, JAYCE HENDERSON, CARRIE HALPERIN, CLAUDIA MORALES and DOMINICK TAO

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News app on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

SAYING GOODBYE TO SEN. TED KENNEDY (1932-2009):

ABC News? Kelly Fincham: ?Sen. Ted Kennedy?s Letter to the Pope Speaks from Beyond Grave? LINK

ABC News? Karen Travers: ?Kennedy Tradition of Politics and Tragedy? LINK

ABC News? Troy McMullen: ?The Last Kennedy: Jean Kennedy Smith? LINK

USA Today’s Haya El Nasser: “Crowds turn out to view Kennedy gravesite” LINK

USA Today’s Kathy Kiely: “Friends, relatives celebrate Kennedy’s life” LINK

Boston Globe’s Marie Szaniszlo: “Senator?s death leaves Kennedy family without a ?rock?” LINK

Newsweek?s Eleanor Clift: ?All the Senator?s Women? LINK

FILLING SEN. TED KENNEDY’S SENATE SEAT:

USA Today’s Kathy Kiely: “After Kennedy dynasty ends, push builds to fill Senate seat” LINK

Boston Herald’s Edward Mason: “Will Vicki Kennedy fill Ted Kennedy?s shoes?” LINK

Boston Herald’s Edward Mason: “Pressure on John Kerry to deliver” LINK

Bloomberg’s Jeff Plungis: “?Brilliant? Kennedy Widow Would Be Good Appointee, Hatch Says” LINK

HEALTH CARE REFORM:

Kaiser Health News’ Julie Appleby: “Health care overhaul’s quandary: Costs vs. fairness” LINK

Bloomberg’s Nicole Gaouette: “Kennedy Death Lessens Chances of Broad Health Bill, Hatch Says” LINK

The Hill’s Tony Romm and Jim Snyder: “Remembrances shift to healthcare debate” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Kim Geiger and James Oliphant: “Remembrances shift to healthcare debate” LINK

The Washington Times’ Sean Lengell: “Dems to honor Kennedy with reform bill” LINK

Newsweek?s Sharon Begley: ?The Five Biggest Lies in the Health Care Debate? LINK

The New York Times? Katharine Seelye: ?Fighting Health Care Overhaul, and Proud of It? LINK

The Washington Post?s Dan Eggen: ?Health-Care Reform, One Stop at a Time? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Los Angeles Times’ Mark Magnier: “Thousands of Myanmar refugees stream into China” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Richard Boudreaux: “Former Israeli Prime Minister Olmert indicted on corruption charges” LINK

The Washington Times’ Takehiko Kambayashi: “Landslide ousts Japan’s longtime ruling party” LINK

IRAQ / AFGHANISTAN:

USA Today’s Tom Vanden Brook: “Military denies rating reporters” LINK

The Associated Press’ Chelsea J. Carter: “U.S. ramps up withdrawal from Iraq” LINK

CIA / INTELLIGENCE / FMR. VICE-PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY:

ABC News? John Cochran: ?Cheney vs. Obama: CIA Abuse Probe ?Political?? LINK

ABC News? Kristina Wong: ?Cheney Lambasts CIA Probe, McCain Says Torture ?Harmed? Us? LINK

The Washington Times’ Rowan Scarborough: “EXCLUSIVE: Lack of translators still hampers intelligence” LINK

The Associated Press’ Adam Goldman and Pamela Hess: “Secret CIA program used Blackwater recruits” LINK

Bloomberg’s Bill Schmick: “Cheney Says Obama Probe of CIA Interrogations a ?Political Act?” LINK

NY Daily News? Michael Saul: ?Cheney calls probe into CIA allegedly abusing terror suspects ‘outrageous’ and ‘terrible’? LINK

Time?s Michael Scherer and Bobby Ghosh: ?McCain Denies Giving O.K. to a CIA Torture Tactic? LINK

Time?s Michael Scherer: ?Dick Cheney and the Rule of Law? LINK

Time?s Michael Scherer: ?Factual Questions Raised About 2007 Bush Administration Memo On Harsh Interrogation? LINK

The New York Times? Rachel L. Swarns: ?Cheney Offers Sharp Defense of C.I.A. Interrogation Tactics? LINK

The Washington Post?s Alexi Mostrous: ?Interrogations Probe Is a Political Act? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Michael Phillips: ?Cheney Says He Was Proponent for Military Action Against Iran? LINK

Politico?s Carol E. Lee: ?Cheney digs in? LINK

ECONOMY / STIMULUS / DEFICIT / BANKS:

Boston Herald’s Jerry Kronenberg: “Bid wars break out over homes” LINK

The Hill’s Kim Hart: “Stimulus spending too fast, group warns” LINK

The Washington Times’ Patrice Hill: “Federal grip steadies housing market” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Damian Paletta: ?Raft of Deals for Failed Banks Puts U.S. on Hook for Billions? LINK

SENATE:

ABC News? George Stephanopoulos: ?Will Joe Run?? LINK

DEMOCRATS/REPUBLICANS:

Politico?s Alex Isenstadt: ?Labor gears up for key governors races? LINK

Politico?s Patrick Gavin: ?Bill Moyers disses Dems as ?spineless? LINK

Politico?s Andy Barr: ?South Carolina Republicans consider impeaching Mark Sanford? LINK

Politico?s Michael Falcone: ?New GOP tactic: The counter-town hall? LINK

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT:

The Washington Post?s David Fahrenthold: ?Environmentalists Slow to Adjust in Climate Debate? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

USA Today’s Mimi Hall: “Ridge backpedals on pressure to raise terror alert level” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Sudeep Reddy: ?Frank Said to Back Broader Fed Audits? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?President Obama’s Eulogy for Sen. Kennedy Part 1? LINK

?Kerry and Hatch: Kennedy’s Legacy? LINK

?Kerry and Hatch: CIA Interrogation Tactics? LINK

?Green Room: Did Torture Work?? LINK

?Ted Kennedy, Jr. Remembers His Dad? LINK

?Kennedy Funeral: Prayers of the Faithful? LINK

?Ted Kennedy’s Final Journey to Boston? LINK

?Health Care Reform Legacy for Kennedy?? LINK

?Crowds Line Up for Kennedy Motorcade? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? PETER MARTINEZ, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, CARRIE HALPERIN, CLAUDIA MORALES and DOMINICK TAO

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News app on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

THE LIFE & DEATH OF SEN. TED KENNEDY (1932-2009):

ABC News Special Online Section (Articles, Videos, Pictures, Slideshows): LINK

ABC News? Yunji De Nies, Jake Tapper, Karen Travers and Stephanie Smith? Obama Mourns Kennedy, His ?Colleague, Counselor and Friend?? LINK

ABC News? Emily Friedman: ?Sen. Kennedy to be Buried Close to Brothers? LINK

The Boston Globe’s Susan Milligan and Matt Viser: “Kennedy mourned near and far” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Stephanie Ebbert: “3 days of rites begin with procession today” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Michael Kranish: “For Kerry, the mission is redefined” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Michael Levenson: “In last days, a quest for joy, music, family” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Kevin Cullen: “Agree with him or not, you had to like Ted” LINK

The Boston Herald?s Dave Wedge and Laura Crimaldi: ?Bay State, U.S. mourn a legend? LINK

The Boston Herald’s Columnist Margery Eagan: ?Last link to our Boston-bred royalty lost? LINK

The Boston Herald’s Columnist Joe Fitzgerald: ?Vicki delivered his life?s redemption? LINK

The Boston Herald’s Columnist Howie Carr: ?Ted Kennedy?s legacy not as heroic as some might think? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Laurel J. Sweet and Dave Wedge: ?Lifetime of inspiration? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Edward Mason and Julia Rappaport: ?Chappaquiddick defined Ted Kennedy?s career? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Marie Szaniszlo and Richard Weir: ?Hyannisport mourns the loss of neighbor? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Jessica Van Sack: ?Kennedy clan stood strong in final moments? LINK

USA Today’s Jill Lawrence: “Youngest son reflected Kennedys’ ambition, foibles” LINK

USA Today’s Fredreka Schouten: “Kennedy hailed for more than achievements” LINK

USA Today’s Kathy Kiely: “Boston public viewing, Arlington burial planned for Kennedy” LINK

USA Today’s Martha T. Moore: “Mourners pay respect to ‘last of Camelot'” LINK

USA Today’s John Fritze: “Senate tenure marked by compromise” LINK

USA Today’s Martha T. Moore: “Kennedy’s wives stood by him in trying times” LINK

USA Today’s Kathy Kiely: “‘Cause of my life’: Health care overhaul eluded Kennedy” LINK

New York Times’ Carl Hulse and Katherine Q. Seelye: “Kennedy Death Adds Volatile Element to Health Fight” LINK

New York Times’ Mark Leibovich: “After Diagnosis, Determined to Make a ?Good Ending?” LINK

The Washington Post’s Joe Holley: “End of an American Epoch” LINK

The Washington Post’s Ann Gerhart and Dan Balz: “His Life’s Work, Up to the End” LINK

The Washington Post’s Lois Romano: “What’s in a Name? For Some, a World of Power.” LINK

The Washington Post: “Nation Reacts to Ted Kennedy’s Death” LINK

The Washington Post’s Hamil R. Harris and Michael E. Ruane: “Edward M. Kennedy Left Major Imprint on Life in D.C.” LINK

The Washington Post’s Vince Bzdek: “In Massachusetts, Residents Remember Their Senator” LINK

The Washington Post’s Vince Bzdek: “Future of Kennedy Family Legacy Unclear After Senator’s Death” LINK

The Washington Post’s Op-Ed Columnist George F. Will: “The Most Consequential Kennedy?” LINK

The Washington Post’s Op-Ed Columnist Richard Cohen: “The Burden Of a Legacy” LINK

Politico?s John F. Harris and Alexander Burns: ??Problem by problem, ?Kennedy transformed himself? LINK

Politico?s Patrick Gavin: ?Friends and colleagues recall ?Ted?? LINK

Politico?s Staff: ?President Bush 41 salutes Kennedy? LINK

Politico?s Ben Smith: ?A Kennedy email? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid: ?An Era Ends With Death of Kennedy? LINK

Bloomberg Commentary by Margaret Carlson: ?Kennedy?s Flaws Gave Way to the Great Man? LINK

The Hill’s Roxana Tiron and Ian Swanson: ?Obama to deliver a eulogy at Kennedy funeral? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Janet Hook and Jim Oliphant: ?In Kennedy, Democrats lose a top warrior for healthcare reform? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Janet Stobart: ?Kennedy’s death keenly felt by leaders in Ireland, Britain? LINK

The Los Angeles Times Editorial: “Ted Kennedy’s milestones and missteps” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Michael Finnegan: “Kennedy ‘really understood’ California politically” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Richard Simon: “Kennedy helped shape many laws that affect average Americans” LINK

The Washington Times’ Stephen Dinan: ?Senate’s liberal lion falls to cancer at 77? LINK

Time Magazine?s Jay Newton-Small: ?A Family Gathers to Say Farewell to Ted Kennedy? LINK

Time Magazine?s Nancy Gibbs: ?Ted Kennedy: The Lessons of His Dying? LINK

Time Magazine?s Karen Tumulty: ?Vicki Kennedy: The Woman Who Saved Ted? LINK

Newsweek?s Elsa Walsh: ?How Kennedy Help Saved Clinton? LINK

New York Daily News? David Saltonstall: President Obama remembers Sen. Edward Kennedy as ‘the greatest U.S. Senator of our time’ LINK

New York Daily News? Corky Siemaszako: ?Kennedy’s Legacy: Chappaquiddick was the end of one Ted Kennedy and the beginning of another? LINK

FILLING SEN. TED KENNEDY’S SENATE SEAT:

The Boston Globe’s Frank Phillips: “Patrick backs push to appoint successor” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Frank Phillips: “No shortage of potential successors” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jennifer Levitz and Keith J. Winstein: ?Many Suitors for Senate Seat? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Neil King Jr. and Jonathan Weisman: ?Vote Is Lost at Key Point? LINK

Bloomberg?s Heidi Przybyla: ?Fight Likely for Kennedy?s Senate Seat With No Clear Successor? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Hillary Chabot and Jessica Van Sack: ?Pols scramble to fill Ted Kennedy?s senate seat? LINK

New York Times’ Abby Goodnough: “Push Grows for Fast Choice on a Successor to Kennedy” LINK

Los Angeles Times’ Tina Susman and James Oliphant: “Massachusetts law makes swift Kennedy succession unlikely” LINK

Los Angeles Times Analysis by Doyle McManus: “Sen. Kennedy’s death leaves a void that won’t be filled” LINK

Newsweek?s Katie Connolly ?The Battle For Kennedy?s Seat Begins? LINK

HEALTH CARE REFORM:

ABC News? Huma Khan: ?Ted Kennedy?s Death a Loss for Democratic Health Care Push? LINK

ABC News? Teddy Davis: ??Win One for Teddy, ?Say Dems Pushing for Health Reform? LINK

The Washington Post’s Columnist Allan Sloan: “Is True Health-Care Reform Doomed?” LINK

Politico?s John Bresnahan and Manu Raju: ?Grieving Chris Dodd weighs chairmanships? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Fawn Johnson and Laura Meckler: ?Abortion Is New Front in Health Battle? LINK

Newsweek?s J. Lester Feder: ?Echoes of Kennedy’s Battle With Nixon in Health-Care Debate? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA:

The Associated Press’ Eileen Sullivan and Matt Apuzzo: “Despite Obama?s promises, pet projects still coddled” LINK

Bloomberg?s Michael McKee: ?Obama Channeling Reagan Needs 5 Quarters of 7% GDP Growth Surge? LINK

Bloomberg?s Kim Chipman: ?Obama Creating Gulf Restoration Panel After Criticism of Corps? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Anand Gopal: ?Taliban Punish Voters in Wake of Afghan Election? LINK

ECONOMY / STIMULUS / DEFICIT:

USA Today’s Sandra Block: “In 2010 IRS could cut 401(k) contribution limit to $16,000” LINK

USA Today’s Sharon Silke Carty: “Michigan group courts homeland security to create jobs” LINK

USA Today’s Dennis Cauchon: “Cities turn off streetlights to save money” LINK

USA Today’s Nanci Hellmich: “Homeless people learn to feed others as chefs” LINK

New York Times’ Patrick McGeehan: “Tallying Stimulus Jobs Is Not Easy in New York” LINK

The Washington Post’s Annys Shin and Dina Elboghdady: “Hopeful Signs: Manufacturing, Housing Show Gains” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Beth Daley: “Slowing down the flow” LINK

CASH FOR CLUNKERS / AUTO INDUSTRY:

USA Today’s Chris Woodyard: “With clunker program over, some fear auto sales drought” LINK

The Washington Post’s Frank Ahrens: “‘Clunkers’ Generates 690,000 Sales” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Judith Burns: ?’Clunkers’ Lifts Foreign Cars? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Josh Mitchell: ?Foreign Car Makers Fear a Detroit Bias in Washington? LINK

DEMOCRATS/REPUBLICANS:

The Washington Post’s Dan Eggen: “Democrats Vow To Return Money From Financier” LINK

AFGHANISTAN & VOTING:

New York Times’ James Risen and Mark Landler: “Alleged Drug Ties of Top Afghan Official Worry U.S.” LINK

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT:

New York Times’ Kate Galbraith: “More Sun for Less: Solar Panels Drop in Price” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Stephen Power: ?Climate Bill Exposes Rifts Within Political Families? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Washington Post’s William Booth: “Mayhem Crosses the Border With Informers” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Kris Maher: ?Pennsylvania Impasse Hits Schools, Services? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Suzanne Sataline: ?New Jersey Corruption Bust Had Deep Roots? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Laura Saunders: ?Is ‘Friending’ in Your Future? Better Pay Your Taxes First? LINK

Los Angeles Times’ George Skelton: “Charting a way out of the mess in the Capitol” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?The Life of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy? LINK

“Bill Belichick Chokes Up Over Sen. Kennedy” LINK

?Biden Chokes Up Over Kennedy News? LINK

?Obama Mourns Loss of Sen. Kennedy? LINK

?What Happens to Ted Kennedy’s Seat?? LINK

?Health Care: Sen. Ted Kennedy’s Battle Cry? LINK

“Ted Kennedy: The Life of the Lion” LINK

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? PETER MARTINEZ, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, CARRIE HALPERIN, CLAUDIA MORALES and DOMINICK TAO

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

George's Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Marisa?s Musings: LINK

Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News app on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

SAYING GOODBYE TO SEN. TED KENNEDY (1932-2009):

ABC News Special Section: LINK

ABC News? Rick Klein: ?Ted Kennedy?s Death to Spark Senate Scramble? LINK

ABC News? Russell Goldman and Sara Netter: ?Ted Kennedy Arrives at JFK Library as Thousands Pay Their Respects? LINK

The Boston Globe's Michael Levenson and Jenna Russell: “A swelling tide of emotion” LINK

The Boston Globe's Stephanie Ebbert and David Filipov: “Deep into night, memories carry throngs to wake” LINK

The Boston Globe's Michael Paulson: “Complex legacy of a Catholic” LINK

The Boston Globe's Maria Cramer: “City, state police prepare for a vast security task” LINK

The Boston Globe's Op-Ed Columnist Ellen Goodman: “A survivor, a senator, and his own man” LINK

The Boston Globe's Op-Ed Columnist Gordon Brown: “He inspired change, progress worldwide” LINK

The Boston Globe's Kevin Cullen: “Irish roots, understanding grew as time passed” LINK

The Boston Globe's Adiran Walker: “The senator?s last mission” LINK

USA Today's Andrea Stone: “Kennedy took public's battles to heart” LINK

USA Today's Martha T. Moore: “Many tell stories of Kennedy the advocate” LINK

USA Today's Mimi Hall: “Staffers followed Kennedy on public service” LINK

The New York Times' Gina Kolata and Lawrence K. Altman: “Kennedy Case Shows Progress, Obstacles in Cancer Fight” LINK

The Washington Post's Philip Rucker: “Late Senator's Staff Became The Other Kennedy Family” LINK

The Washington Post's Op-Ed Columnist Harold Meyerson: “The Age of the Irish” LINK

The Washington Post's Op-Ed Columnist Eugene Robinson: “A Prince's Fate” LINK

Politico?s Ben Smith: ?Ted Kennedy?s legacy shapes Obama?s path? LINK

Politico?s Jonathan Martin: ?Hub fans bid ?Teddy? adieu? LINK

Bloomberg?s Brian K. Sullivan and Sree Vidya Bhaktavatsalam: ?Massachusetts Residents Line Roads to Pay Respects to Kennedy? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Marie Szaniszlo and Ed Mason: ?Thousands witness Lion?s last journey? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Hillary Chabot: ?Ted Kennedy schooled a young Mitt Romney in ?94 drubbing? LINK

The Hill's Jordy Yager and J. Taylor Rushing: “Kennedy funeral procession arrives in Boston” LINK

Time?s Karen Tumulty: ?Health-Care Reform After Kennedy: A Scaled-Back Bill?? LINK

Time?s Amy Sullivan: ?Kennedy?s Quit Catholic Faith? LINK

Newsweek?s Joe Meacham: ?The Survivor? LINK

FILLING SEN. TED KENNEDY'S SENATE SEAT:

The Boston Globe's Editorial: “Legislature must act quickly on interim Senate appointment” LINK

New York Times' John M. Broder: “Despite Successes, Kennedy Left Unfinished Business in the Senate” LINK

New York Times' Sheryl Gay Stolberg: “Senate Has Changed in Kennedy?s Time” LINK

The Boston Globe's Frank Phillips and Matt Viser: “Galvin presents two dates for vote” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s John Hechinger and Philip Shishkin: ?Reversal on Senate Succession Stirs Political Storm? LINK

Bloomberg?s Tom Moroney: ?State Democrats Pushing Interim Kennedy Successor by Next Month? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Hillary Chabot: ?Was Joe Kennedy born to run for Ted?s seat?? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Edward Mason: ?New rallying cry: ?Win one for Teddy?? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Edward Mason: ?Democrats at a loss to fill big shoes? LINK

HEALTH CARE REFORM:

ABC News? Teddy Davis: ??Win One for Teddy, ?Says Dems Pushing for Health Reform?? LINK

The Boston Globe: “Effect on health care bill debated” LINK

New York Times' David D. Kirkpatrick: “Some Roman Catholic Bishops Assail Health Plan” LINK

The Washington Post's Columnist Steven Pearlstein: “Kennedy Saw Health-Care Reform Fail in the '70s; Today's Lawmakers Don't Have To” LINK

The Washington Post's Op-Ed Columnist Charles Krauthammer: “Obamacare: The Only Exit Strategy” LINK

The Washington Post's Op-Ed Columnist Michael Kinsley: “Change We'd Rather Do Without” LINK

Politico?s Michael Falcone: ?GOP poll: Reform less popular than ?94? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Janet Hook: “Amid the acrimony, Congress has consensus on some healthcare issues” LINK

The Washington Times' Jim McElhatton: “Wage initiative stymies labor nominee” LINK

The Washington Times' Kara Rowland: “Kennedy death no spark for health care” LINK

The Washington Times' Ralph Z. Hallow: “EXCLUSIVE: Sanford future in hands of GOP” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA:

The Boston Globe's Susan Milligan: “Like his predecessors, Obama finds respite can be elusive” LINK

USA Today's Richard Wolf: “President sweet on golf course” LINK

The Washington Post's Ellen Nakashima: “Bush's Search Policy For Travelers Is Kept” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Peter Fritsch: ?Chinese Tire-Import Spat Puts Obama in Trade-Policy Pickle? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Laura King: “Afghan civilian deaths decline under new U.S. tactics” LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Ramin Mostaghim: “Iran's supreme leader downplays foreign links to unrest” LINK

CIA / DETAINEES:

New York Times' Peter Baker, David Johnston and Mark Mazzetti: “Abuse Issue Puts the Justice Dept. and C.I.A. at Odds” LINK

The Washington Post's Carrie Johnson and Anne E. Kornblut: “Holder's Decision To Probe CIA Hints At a New Dynamic” LINK

The Washington Post's Walter Pincus: “CIA Will Cover Legal Fees” LINK

The Washington Post's Joby Warrick and Peter Finn: “'06 Memo Cites Food Strike by Detainees” LINK

ECONOMY / STIMULUS / DEFICIT / BANKS:

USA Today's Kathryn Canavan: “Debit or credit? Let how you spend decide” LINK

USA Today's Pallavi Gogoi: “FDIC's insurance fund falls as problem bank list surges to 416” LINK

USA Today's Jon Swartz: “More marketers use social networking to reach customers” LINK

The Washington Post's David Cho: “Banks 'Too Big to Fail' Have Grown Even Bigger” LINK

Politico?s Jeannie Cummings: ?Joe Biden to tout stimulus success in speech? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Jim Puzzanghera and E. Scott Reckard: “FDIC bank insurance fund shrinking; concern grows as failures continue” LINK

CASH FOR CLUNKERS / AUTO INDUSTRY:

ABC News? Alice Gomstyn: ?Cash for Clunkers: Good and Bad News in Wake of Program?s End? LINK

DEMOCRATS/REPUBLICANS:

The Washington Post's Op-Ed Columnist Michael Gerson: “A Virginia Model For a GOP Comeback?” LINK

The Hill's Molly K. Hooper: “Cops devised escape plan for lawmaker at town hall” LINK

AFGHANISTAN & VOTING:

New York Times' Caroline Brothers: “Afghan Youths Seek a New Life in Europe” LINK

The Washington Post's Joshua Partlow and Pamela Constable: “Accusations Of Vote Fraud Multiply in Afghanistan” LINK

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT:

The Washington Post's Steven Mufson and Jennifer Agiesta: “On Energy, Obama Finds Broad Support” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Ryan Knutson: ?Oregon Looks to Clean Tech for Revival? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

Politico?s John Bre Snahan: ?Renzi attorneys: DoJ illegally leaked info? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Leslie Eaton: ?Gov. Richardson Says Feds Won't File Charges in Corruption Probe? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Valerie Bauerlein: ?Race Enters Atlanta Mayoral Vote? LINK

Bloomberg?s Holly Rosenkrantz: ?Teamsters May Not Back Specter?s Re-election, James Hoffa Says? LINK

Time?s Michael Scherer: ? Pentagon Tracks, Rates Reporters “Neutral to Positive” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Crowds Line Up for Kennedy Motorcade? LINK

?Sen. Ted Kennedy Carried Dynastic Torch? LINK

?Biden on Kennedy: 'One Hell of a Man'? LINK

?A Temporary Replacement for Kennedy?? LINK

“A Tour of the Kennedy Compound” LINK

?Ted Kennedy's Illustrious Career? LINK

?Ted Kennedy's Final Journey to Boston? LINK

?Stephanopoulos on Senate Replacement? LINK

?Health Care Reform Legacy for Kennedy? LINK

“Who Will Fill Kennedy's Senate Seat?” LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? PETER MARTINEZ, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, CARRIE HALPERIN, CLAUDIA MORALES and DOMINICK TAO

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Clem’s Chronicle: LINK

Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK

ABC News app on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

SEN. TED KENNEDY DIES AT THE AGE OF 77:

ABC NEWS Online Special Edition: LINK

ABC News: ?Ted Kennedy Dies of Brain Cancer at Age 77? LINK

ABC News? Huma Khan and Caitlin Taylor: ?Ted Kennedy Legislative Accomplishments? LINK

USA Today’s Kathy Kiely: “Ted Kennedy: A lifetime of public service” LINK

USA Today’s Kathy Kiely: “Illness deprived Kennedy of seeing out ’cause of my life'” LINK

The Washington Post’s Joe Holley: “Mass. Sen. Ted Kennedy Dies at 77, After Cancer Battle” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Rich Simon and Claudia Luther: “Edward Kennedy dies at 77; ‘liberal lion of the Senate'” LINK

NY Daily News? Larry McShane: ?Sen. Ted Kennedy dies at age 77 after year-long battle with brain cancer? LINK

The Hill’s Reid Wilson: ?Senate loses liberal lion: Kennedy dead at 77″ LINK

The Washington Times’ Stephen Dinan: ?U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy dies at 77″ LINK

Politico?s Staff: ?Special election likely in January? LINK

Politico?s Staff: ?Remembering Ted Kennedy? LINK

Politico?s David Rogers: ?Ted Kennedy, 77, dies on Cape Cod? LINK

Politico?s Kathryn McGarr: ?The Kennedy Speeches? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid: ?Senator Edward Kennedy Dies after Battle with Cancer? LINK

Bloomberg?s Ed Rowley: ?Kennedy?s Legislative Legacy Will Be Hard to Replicate in Senate? LINK

Bloomberg?s Jonathan D. Salant: ?Edward Kennedy, U.S. Senator and Democratic Icon, Dead at 77? LINK

Boston Herald?s Dave Wedge: ?Sen. Edward M. Kennedy dies at age 77? LINK

HEALTH CARE REFORM:

The Hill’s Jared Allen: ?Connolly fends off criticism of ?death panels?” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Rich Simon and Claudia Luther: ?Connolly fends off criticism of ?death panels?” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA:

USA Today’s Richard Wolf: “Obama vacationing, but keeping busy” LINK

The Washington Post’s Ed O’Keefe: “GOP Senator Asks Obama To Drop Labor Dept. Pick” LINK

The Washington Post’s Dan Balz: “Obama Dances Awkwardly With Bush Policies” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Matt Viser: “In protesting the president, civility rules” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND BEN S. BERNANKE:

Time Magazine?s Michael Grunwald: ?Why Obama Reappointed Bernanke to the Fed? LINK

The Hill’s Silla Brush and Bob Cusack: ?Bernanke outreach to lawmakers key to reappointment” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jon Hilsenrath, Elizabeth Williamson and Jonathan Weisman: ?Calm in Crisis Won Fed Job? LINK

Bloomberg?s Julia Goldman and Robert Schmidt: ?April Thank You From Obama Started Embrace of Bernanke at Fed? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Washington Post’s Scott Wilson and Joshua Partlow: “On Afghanistan, Political Test for Obama” LINK

CIA / TORTURE:

ABC News? Mathew Cole and Brian Ross: ?Deaths, Missing Detainees Still Blacked Out in New CIA Report? LINK

The Washington Post’s Joby Warrick, Peter Finn and Julie Tate: “CIA Releases Its Instructions For Breaking a Detainee’s Will” LINK

The Washington Post’s R. Jeffrey Smith: “Cheney Criticizes Widening Investigation of CIA Counterterrorism Program” LINK

The Washington Post’s Paul Kane and Carrie Johnson: “Key Members of Both Parties Criticize Holder Decision to Look Into Alleged CIA Abuse of Detainees” LINK

Newsweek?s Mark Hosenball: ?Did Waterboarding Actually Work?? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Siohman Gorman and Gary Fields: ?Probe of CIA Imperils Interagency Trust? LINK

ECONOMY / DEFICIT:

ABC News? Yunji de Nies, Karen Travers and Stephanie Z. Smith: ?Obama Nominates Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to Second Term? LINK

ABC News? Karen Travers and Kate Barrett: ?Budget Blues: White House and CBO Release Summer Outlooks? LINK

USA Today’s Mimi Hall: “‘Historic’ deficit a political thorn” LINK

USA Today’s Keith Matheny: “States go head-to-head to lure businesses” LINK

The Washington Post’s Lori Montgomery: “Deficit Projected To Soar With New Programs” LINK

The Washington Post’s Thomas Heath: “Cupcakeries Emerge as Washington’s Sweet Spot in a Downturn” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Chris Reidy and Katie Johnston Chase: “Home market on the rise” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ James Oliphant: ?News on federal deficit likely to be used against Obama’s agenda” LINK

The Washington Times’ Patrice Hill: ?FDIC chairman sees new wave of big risks” LINK

The Washington Times’ David M. Dickson: ?$1.5 trillion deficits eyed for ’09, ’10” LINK

Politico?s Eamon Javers: ?Barack Obama doubles down on Ben Bernanke? LINK

DEMOCRATS/REPUBLICANS:

The Hill’s Mike Soraghan: ?Vocal minority greet Howard Dean at town hall” LINK

AFGHANISTAN & VOTING:

USA Today’s Jim Michaels: “Partial tally shows slight Karzai lead” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Bryan Bender: “Top officer offers a dire assessment on Afghanistan” LINK

Time?s Joe Klein: ?Early Afghan Results: Karzai Will Win? LINK

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT:

USA Today’s Kathleen Gray: “Appliances get their own recycled clunkers programs” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Associated Press: “Supreme Court: Catholic abuse documents can’t stay sealed” LINK

Religion News Service’s Kristen May: “First Amendment battle: School officials face trial in prayer case” LINK

The Washington Post: “Who’s Sitting on the Federal Bench” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Robin Abcarian: ?Abortion foes turn on each other over the Operation Rescue name” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Sen. Ted Kennedy Dies of Cancer? LINK

?Ted Kennedy Receives Medal of Freedom? LINK

?Kennedy the Young Politician? LINK

?Kennedy: ‘I Feel Change in the Air’? LINK

?Kennedy Stands Up for Disabled Workers? LINK

?Obama’s Major Economic Announcement? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, GEORGIA DAWKINS, AND VALENCIA WICKER

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTATION:

Politico?s Mike Allen: ?Obama to hold call with supporters? LINK

The Washington Times’ Jon Ward: ?White House disputes Mubarak’s peace plan claim? LINK

The Washington Times’ Sara A. Carter: ?European defense company heeds Obama’s demands? LINK

USA Today?s Mimi Hall: ?Obama, Egypt?s Mubarak talk peace in Mideast? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Melanie Trottman: ?Labor Department to Tighten Scrutiny? LINK

The Boston Globe?s Foon Rhee: ?Obama, Clinton get together? LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? Lauren Cox: ??Public Option? or Co-Op? Experts Sound Off?? LINK

Politico?s Jonathan Martin & Carrie Buddoff Brown: ?Liberals revolt over public option? LINK

The Washington Times’ Jennifer Haberkorn: ?Filling in the blanks in health debate? LINK

The Hill’s Sam Youngman: ?Public health option bogs down White House? LINK

The Hill’s Susan Crabtree: ?PhRMA defends itself from Boehner criticism? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Christi Parsons and Andrew Zajac: ?The next healthcare battle: cutting Medicare Advantage? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Peter Nicholas: ?Obama’s evolution on a public option in healthcare reform? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jonathan Weisman: ?White House Rethinks How It Sells Health Overhaul? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid and Avery Johnson: ?Two House Democrats Seek Information From Insurers? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid: ?White House Reassures Allies? LINK

Boston Herald Op-Ed by Jonah Goldberg: ?Why ObamaCare is failing? LINK

The New York Times? Carl Hulse and Jeff Zeleny: ?Democrats Seem Set to Go It Alone on a Health Bill? LINK

The New York Times? Mark Lebovich: ?Baucus, and the Debate on Health Care, Go West? LINK

The Washington Post?s Michael D. Shear and Ceci Connolly: ?Debate?s Path Caught Obama by Surprise? LINK

The Washington Post?s Alexi Mostrous: ?White House Backs Right to Arms Outside Obama Events? LINK

The Washington Post?s Garance Franke-Ruta: ?White House Drops Health-Care Tip Line? LINK

The Washington Post?s Steven Pearlstein: ?It?s Time to Give Up On the Public Option? LINK

ECONOMY:

Newsweek?s Matthew Philips: ?Cutbacks on Campus? LINK

NATIONAL SECURITY:

ABC News? Jake Tapper: ?Will Bagram Be President Obama?s Guantanamo?? LINK

Politico?s Josh Gerstein: ?Security issues to steal health spotlight? LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

ABC News? Kirit Radia: ?U.S. and Egypt Push for Progress on Mideast Peace? LINK

The Hill’s Bridget Johnson: ?Pakistan still wants drones after successful U.S. strike? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Borzou Daragahi: ?IRAN: Despite newspaper closure, rape allegations continue? LINK

USA Today?s Jim Michaels: ?Afghan election raising hopes? LINK

Newsweek?s Ron Moreau and Sami Yousafzai: ?Northern Exposure? LINK

Newsweek?s Niall Ferguson: ?Chimerica? is headed for Divorce? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jay Solomon: ?Mubarak Presses U.S. on Middle East Talks? LINK

Bloomberg?s Indira A.R. Lakshmanan: ?North Korea Moves May Show Sanctions Pressure Regime, U.S. Says? LINK

The New York Times? Mark Landler and Mark Mazzetti: ?In North Korea, Clinton Helped Unveil a Mystery? LINK

The New York Times? David Stout and Isabel Kershner: ?Obama Sees Positive Steps in Mideast? LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The New York Times? Stephanie Strom: ?More Fake Letters to Congress on Energy Bill? LINK

The Washington Post?s Dana Hedgpeth and Peter Whoriskey: ?After Taking In the Clunkers, Car Dealers report an Extended Wait for the Cash? LINK

DEMS/GOP:

ABC News? Kristina Wong: ?Jenny Sanford to Vogue: Husband?s Trysts Were ?Punches to the Gut?? LINK

Politico?s Lisa Lerer: ?Lobbyists sent 13 fake letters to Hill? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid: ?Democrats’ Agenda Relies on Reid’s Role? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jake Sherman: ?Conservatives Take a Page From Left’s Online Playbook? LINK

The New York Times? Adam Nagourney: ?Democrats See Opportunity in the West? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA, JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR AND THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Newsweek?s Daniel Stone: ?Guns at Obama Rallies: Where?s the Outrage?? LINK

The New York Times? Adam Liptak: ?Sotomayor Casts First Vote on Court? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

Time Magazine?s Scott W. Reed: ?Robert Novak: Missing the Prince of Darkness? LINK

Politico?s Andy Barr: ?Former Gov. Palin reports gifts: Gun case, statue? LINK

The New York Times? Natasha Singer: ?Senator Moves to Stop Scientific Ghostwriting? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Obama Thanks Egyptian President? LINK

?WH: ‘Nothing Has Changed’ on Health Care? LINK

?Is the Economy Recovering?? LINK

?Governor’s Betrayed Wife Speaks Out? LINK

?Guns on the Health Care Battlefield? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON, GEORGIA DAWKINS, VALENCIA WICKER, AND KRISTEN RED-HORSE

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTATION:

The Washington Times’ Valerie Richardson: ?Obama backs marriage act repeal? LINK

The Washington Post’s Ed O’Keefe: “Obama Targets Backlog Of Veterans’ Claims” LINK

The Washington Post’s Carrie Johnson: “Obama Says Marriage Law Should Be Repealed” LINK

The Washington Post’s Mary Beth Sheridan: “Clinton Puts Spotlight On Women’s Issues” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Foon Rhee: “Emanuel reads to kids–really” LINK

USA Today?s David Jackson: ?Both wars are on course, Obama tells vets? LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Washington Times’ Matthew Mosk: ?Obama stakes claim in Afghan war? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Laura King: ?Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai scrambles to hold on? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Borzou Daragahi: ?Q & A with Iran diplomat on the postelection unrest? LINK

The Hill’s Bridget Johnson: ?Egypt’s Mubarak to talk Mideast peace with Obama? LINK

The New York Times’ Rod Nordland and Sam Dagher: “U.S. Will Release More Members of an Iraqi Shiite Militia” LINK

The New York Times’ Nina Bernstein: “Officials Say Detainee Fatalities Were Missed” LINK

USA Today?s Ken Dilanian: ?State Dept. adds more aid workers in Afghanistan? LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News’ Jake Tapper and Karen Travers: ?Liberals Warn Obama Not to Drop Public Option? LINK

The Hill’s Jeffrey Young: ?Boehner blasts PhRMA?s Tauzin over healthcare deal? LINK

The Hill’s Sam Youngman: ?White House: No change on public option? LINK

The New York Times’ Robert Pear and Gardiner Harris: “Alternate Plan as Health Option Muddies Debate” LINK

The New York Times’ Jeff Zeleny and Carl Hulse: “Some Democrats Push for Keeping Public Insurance Option” LINK

The New York Times’ Robert Pear: “Lack of Medicare Appointee Puzzles Congress” LINK

The Washington Post’s Anne Kornblut and Perry Bacon Jr.: “Public Option Called Essential” LINK

The Washington Post’s David Hilzenrath and Alec MacGillis: “Cooperatives Being Pushed as an Alternative to a Government Plan” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Foon Rhee: “Liberals urge Obama to keep public option” LINK

New York Daily News? James Gordon Meek: ?White House signals health care compromise, indications that ‘public option’ may be a goner? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid: ?White House Reassures Allies? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jonathan Weisman: ?Conrad Defends Health Co-ops Plan? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Amy Schatz: ?Obama Shuts Email Tip List? LINK

Bloomberg?s Catherine Dodge and Edwin Chen: ?Democrats Urge Obama to Keep Government-Run Health-Plan Option? LINK

Bloomberg?s Jeff Bliss: ?Armed Protesters Carry Guns Near Obama Appearance, Police Say? LINK

Bloomberg Commentary by Amity Shlaes: ?Health-Care Madness Ensures Obama Someday Wins? LINK

Boston Herald Editorial Staff: ?Real health options? LINK

Politico?s Glenn Thrush: ?Boehner pens “I told you so” to PhRMA? LINK

USA Today?s Kathy Kiely and Mimi Hall: ?End-of-life counseling had bipartisan support? LINK

USA Today?s Dan Vergano: ?NIH?s new chief pledges to lead research agency ?as a scientist? LINK

Newsweek?s Katie Connolly: ?House Dems Say Bill won?t Pass Without a Public Option? LINK

Newsweek?s Katie Connolly: ?On Health Care, What Does ?Getting it Right? mean?? LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The Los Angeles Times’ Staff: ?Scant rainfall in east China tied to pollution? LINK

Politico?s Josh Kraushaar: ?Sierra Club picks Daggett in N.J.? LINK

DEMS/G.O.P.:

ABC News’ Kristina Wong: ?Jenny Sanford to Vogue: Husband’s Trysts Were ‘Punches to the Gut’? LINK

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE:

The Wall Street Journal?s Evan Perez: ?DOJ Shifts Tone on Marriage Act? LINK

Politico?s Josh Gerstein: ?Justice Dept. hires gay liaison? LINK

ECONOMY:

ABC News’ Brad Heath: ?Poll: 57% Don’t See Stimulus Working? LINK

The New York Times’ Jack Healy: “Tax Bills Put Pressure on Struggling Homeowners” LINK

The Washington Post’s Renae Merle: “Unemployment Spike Compounds Foreclosure Crisis” LINK

USA Today?s Martha T. Moore: ?Jobs lost as states close prisons? LINK

USA Today?s Emily Bazar: ?Bad economy sparks more complaints of wage theft? LINK

SUPREME COURT:

The New York Times’ Adam Liptak: “Supreme Court to Hear Case on Executive Pay” LINK

The New York Times’ Adam Liptak: “Supreme Court Orders New Look at Death Row Case” LINK

IMMIGRATION:

The Wall Street Journal?s Cam Simpson: ?More Immigration Detainee Deaths Disclosed? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Miriam Jordan: ?U.S. Intensifies Audits of Employers? LINK

OTHER MUST READS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Nick Wingfield: ?Clouds Over Seattle Mayor’s Election Bid? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Stu Woo: ?California’s Ills Aid Candidate? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Guns on the Health Care Battlefield? LINK

?Pulling the Plug on a Public Option? LINK

?Health Care Reform Strategy Shift? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Monday, August,17, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, GEORGIA DAWKINS, AND VALENCIA WICKER

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION:

ABC News? Jake Tapper: ?White House Makes ?Viral E-mail? of Its Own? LINK

Politico?s Mike Allen: ?White House will change e-mail rules? LINK

Newsweek?s John Barry: ?Barack Obama wants the Bomb?? LINK

The New York Times? Sam Dillon: ?Obama Pushes States to Shift on Education? LINK

The New York Times? Sheryl Gay Stolberg: ?On Canyon Visit, Obama Child Shows She?s Done Her Homework? LINK

Politico?s Carol E. Lee: ?Obama family takes vacation? LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? John Cochran and Scott Mayerowitz: ?Health Care Debate: Will Public Option Die?? LINK

ABC News? Kristina Wong: ?Are Dems Losing the Battle Over Public Option?? LINK

ABC News? Jacqueline Klingebiel: ?White House Confronts False Claims About Health Care Reform? LINK

Politico?s Victoria McGrane: ?Dick Armey calls Medicare ?tyranny? LINK

USA Today?s David Jackson: ?Obama may drop public option in health care? LINK

USA Today?s Susan Page: ?Podesta: White House needs juice on health care? LINK

USA Today?s Sharon Begley: ?Attack: The truth about Obamacare? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Elizabeth Williamson and August Cole: ?Chances Dim for a Public Plan? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Avery Johnson: ?Tennessee Experiment’s High Cost Fuels Health-Care Debate? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Alex Roth: ?Atlanta Protest of Health-Care Overhaul Draws Thousands? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Joel Millman and Michael M. Phillips: ?Oregon Residents Uneasy on Health Reform? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Louise Radnofsky: ?Mollohan Faces Ire at West Virginia Town Meeting? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Elizabeth Williamson: ?Health Forum Turns Personal for Obama? LINK

Boston Herald Op-Ed by Jonah Goldberg: ?Jeers, fears for ObamaCare? LINK

The Hill’s J. Taylor Rushing: ?Dems use personal touch to sell healthcare? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Janet Hook and Peter Wallsten: “GOP seeks its revival in the revolt against Obama’s healthcare plan” LINK

The New York Times? Sheryl Gay Stolberg: ?Public Option in Health Plan May Be Dropped? LINK

The New York Times? Kevin Sack: ?In Arkansas, a Democrat Navigates the Health Fight? LINK

The Washington Post?s Ceci Connolly: ?Key Feature Of Obama Health Plan May Be Out? LINK

DEMS/GOP:

Politico?s Andy Barr: ?GOP gains steam as health care bill sputters? LINK

Newsweek?s Andrew Romano: ?Bipartisanship is Bad? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Kris Maher and Jake Sherman: ?Liberals Fret a Democratic Stay to Center? LINK

Politico?s Jonathan Martin: ?Gov. Jim Doyle won?t seek re-election? LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The Los Angeles Times’ Andrew Malcolm: “Schwarzenegger briefed on California’s 11 major fires” LINK

The Washington Times’ Amanda DeBard: “Climate bill would bloat federal agencies” LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

ABC News? Dana Hughes and Kirit Radia: ?Hillary Clinton Gets Her Message Out, the Hard Way? LINK

USA Today?s Ken Dilanian: ?State Dept. adds more aid workers in Afghanistan? LINK

The Washington Post?s Rajiv Chandrasekaran: ?Pentagon Worries Led to Command Change? LINK

The Washington Post?s Ernesto Londono: ?Gay Men Targeted In Iraq, Report Says? LINK

ECONOMY:

USA Today?s Emily Bazar: ?More lawmakers tackle rise of wage-theft complaints? LINK

USA Today?s Brad Heath: ?Poll: 57% don?t see stimulus working? LINK

USA Today?s Wendy Koch: ?Soda makers: Don?t tax our soft drinks? LINK

CHENEY vs. BUSH:

ABC News? David Wright: ?Cheney vs. Bush: Former Vice President Writing Tell-All Memoir? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

Newsweek?s Katie Connolly: ?Race relations aren?t Black and White? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?President Takes on Town Halls? LINK

?Reining In Executive Pay? LINK

?Cheney Disappointed by Bush?? LINK

?Specter on Town Halls: ‘Not Public’s View’? LINK

?Threats Against the President? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? JAYCE HENDERSON, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, CLAUDIA MORALES, CARRIE HALPERIN, VALENCIA WICKER and GEORGIA DAWKINS

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

George's Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION:

ABC News? Kristina Wong: ?Ted Kennedy Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom in Absentia? LINK

Politico?s Alexander Burns and Carol E. Lee: ?President Obama grants medals to Milk, King? LINK

USA Today?s Kathy Kiely: ?Senate ?pillar? Kennedy gets Medal of Freedom? LINK

The New York Times? Sheryl Gay Stolberg: ?Obama gives Medal of Freedom to 16 Luminaries? LINK

New York Daily News? Michael Sheridan: ?Obama honors 16 with Presidential Medal of Freedom; Sidney Poitier, Stephen Hawking included? LINK

The Washington Post?s Dan Eggen: ?Presidential Vacations Carry Heavy Baggage? LINK

The Washington Times' Andrea Billups: ?Trinkets that stick it to Obama start to sell? LINK

Wall Street Journal Opinion by Karl Rove: ?Obama and the Permanent Campaign? LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? Jake Tapper and Huma Khan: ?Obama?s Health Care Push Faces Citizens? Mounting Concern Over Deficit? LINK

ABC News? George Stephanopoulos:”Murkowski attacks Palin on ?death panels?? LINK

Politico?s Victoria McGrane and Chris Frates: ?The Democrats senior problem? LINK

Politico?s Lisa Lerer: ?At town halls, Grassley retreats? LINK

Politico?s Andy Barr: ?Steele laughs at Specter? LINK

Politico?s Chris Frates: ?Plan B for business groups: Going negative? LINK

USA Today?s Susan Page: ?Poll: Health care views take sympathetic tilt? LINK

Newsweek?s Katie Connolly: ?Health Care Protest Déjà vu: Welcome to 1994? LINK

The Hill's Molly K. Hooper: ?Rep. Cao to sit down with Obama on healthcare? LINK

The Hill?s Mike Soraghan: ?Former exec: Insurers fomenting town hall chaos? LINK

The Washington Times' Jennifer Haberkorn: ?AARP wields its power in health care debate? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Christi Parsons and Mark Silva: ?Obama heading West to plug healthcare reform? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid: ?Emanuel's Brother Becomes a Target? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Janet Adamy: ?End-of-Life Provision Loses Favor? LINK

Boston Herald editorial staff: ?Obama?s big lie? LINK

The New York Times? David Kirkpatrick: ?Obama Injects Himself Into Health Talks, Despite Risks? LINK

The Washington Post?s Karla Adam: ?Health-Reform Rhetoric Gets Personal for Britons? LINK

The Washington Post?s Chris Cillizza: ?At Town Hall, A Turning Point?? LINK

The Washington Post?s Aaron Davis: ?Raucous Crowd Greets Cardin at Health-Care Town Hall in Hagerstown? LINK

Time Magazine?s Kate Pickert: ?Health-Insurance Exchanges: What They Would (and Wouldn't) Do? LINK

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR:

ABC News? Sunlen Miller: ?Obama Praises Sotomayor, Senate for Tearing Down Barriers? LINK

USA Today?s staff and wire reports: ?Obama honors ?agents of change? LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Los Angeles Times' David Zucchino: ?Deadly contractor incident sours Afghans on U.S.? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Borzou Daragahi: ?Iran opposition leader decries 'show trials,' prisoner treatment? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Will Connors: ?Clinton Urges Overhaul of Nigeria Elections? LINK

GOP:

Boston Herald?s Edward Mason: ?Mitt Romney has early lead in N.H. poll? LINK

Time Magazine?s Michael Grunwald: ?GOP at War with Itself in Florida Senate Race? LINK

The Washington Post?s Barton Gellman: ?Cheney Uncloaks His Frustration With Bush? LINK

ECONOMY:

USA Today?s Matt Kelley and Brad Heath: ?Some states get share of stimulus faster? LINK

Newsweek?s Nancy Cook: ?Start your own business, Now? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Douglas Belkin: ?'Fastest Dying Cities' Meet for a Lively Talk? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Ralph Vartabedian and Ken Bensinger: ?Why 'clunkers' program won't take some of the most polluting cars? LINK

CLIMATE CHANGE, THE ENVIROMENT & ENERGY REFORM:

The Wall Street Journal?s Jon Hilsenrath: ?Cap-and-Trade's Unlikely Critics: Its Creators? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Lauren Etter: ?Food Firms Fret Over Potential Impact of Climate Bill? LINK

The New York Times? Cornelia Dean: ?Bush Mining Rule to Stand? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Geoffrey A. Fowler: ?Gay-Marriage Bid Is Delayed? LINK

Newsweek?s Michael Isikoff: ?A Vindication of Iglesias?? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Hillary Compares U.S. Election to Nigeria's? LINK

?Tapper on $1.27 Trillion Deficit? LINK

?Ted Kennedy Receives Medal of Freedom? LINK

?Obama Awards Presidential Medals of Freedom? LINK

?Obama: Sotomayor's Rise Is America's Story? LINK

?Sotomayor 'Grateful' to America? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? JAYCE HENDERSON, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, CLAUDIA MORALES, CARRIE HALPERIN, VALENCIA WICKER and GEORGIA DAWKINS

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

George's Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION:

ABC News? Jake Tapper: ?White House Objects to ?School Lunch? Advocates? Poster Mentioning Obama Daughters? LINK

Politico?s Andy Barr: ?Rendell: ?Birthers are absolutely nuts? LINK

Politico?s Carol E. Lee: ?White House rebukes ad featuring first daughters, Sasha and Malia? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Neil King Jr. and Jonathan Weisman: ?A President as Micromanager: How Much Detail Is Enough?? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Sarah N. Lynch: ?Derivatives Overhaul Seeks to Reduce Risk? LINK

The Washington Post?s Joe Davidson: ?Obama Follows Clinton?s Lead On Creating Labor Council? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Alicia Mundy: ?Drug Chief at the FDA Is Accused Of Conflict? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Christopher Conkey: ?FAA Criticized Over Stimulus Projects? LINK

USA Today?s Matt Kelley: ?Report takes issue with FAA grants? LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? Huma Khan and John Berman: ?Obama: Health Care Critics Creating ?Boogeymen? That Aren?t Real?? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jonathan Weisman: ?Under Pressure, Obama Defends Health-Care Plan? LINK

Bloomberg?s Kristin Jensen and Hans Nichols: ?Obama Urges Public to Ignore ?Scare Tactics? in Health Debate? LINK

The Boston Herald?s Hillary Chabot: ?Critics: Prez?s health care meeting ?packed with supporters?? LINK

USA Today?s Richard Wolf: ?Obama takes on health care critics? LINK

USA Today?s Richard Wolf and Susan Page: ?Obama battles health care ?chatter?? LINK

Newsweek?s Katie Connolly: ?Health care Protest Déjà vu: Welcome to 1994? LINK

The Hill's J. Taylor Rushing: ?Dem healthcare talking points: Change over status quo? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Christi Parsons and Janet Hook: ?Obama takes the stand on healthcare? LINK

New York Daily News? David Saltonstall: ?Town halls or town brawls? Protesters line up early to confront President Obama on health care? LINK

The New York Times? Helene Cooper: ?Obama Offers Reassurance on Plan to Overhaul Health Care? LINK

The Washington Post?s Dan Balz: ?What They?re Really Arguing About? LINK

The Washington Post?s Anne Kornblut and Michael Shear: ?Obama Faces Scare Tactics Head-On? LINK

The Washington Post?s David Montgomery: ?Going to the Mat On Health-Care Bill? LINK

2006 FIRINGS OF U.S. ATTORNEYS:

ABC News? Jason Ryan and Pierre Thomas: ?New Docs Show Effort to Oust U.S. Attorneys? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Evan Perez: ?Democrats Release Documents Related to Lawyer Firings? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Tom Hamburger and David G. Savage: ?Karl Rove took active role in U.S. attorney's firing, documents show? LINK

The New York Times? Eric Lichtblau and Eric Lipton: ?E-Mail Reveals Rove?s Key Role in ?06 Dismissals? LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

ABC News? Kirit Radia and Dana Hughes: ?Clinton Visits Most Dangerous Place on Earth to Be a Woman? LINK

Politico?s Josh Gerstein: ?Israel invite clouds President Obama?s nuclear summit? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jay Solomon: ?Student's Nerves Are Cited in Clinton's Reply? LINK

Bloomberg?s Janine Zacharia: ?Clinton to Balance Oil Need, Anti-Graft Demands in Nigeria Stop? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Peter Nicholas and Tracy Wilkinson: ?At Mexico summit, Obama says immigration reform will have to wait? LINK

The Washington Times' Sara A. Carter and Eli Lake: ?Kuwait, U.S. team up to halt plot? LINK

The Hill's Mike Soraghan: ?Liberals urge Obama to do more in Honduras? LINK

The Washington Post?s Karen DeYoung and Greg Jaffe: ?U.S. Ambassador Seeks More Money for Afghanistan? LINK

The Washington Post?s Mary Beth Sheridan and Stephanie McCrummen: ?Clinton Condemns Attacks on Civilians in E. Congo? LINK

IMMIGRATION:

The New York Times? Janie Lorber: ?U.S. Bares Alien Files Kept on Immigrants? LINK

The New York Times? James McKinley Jr.: ?Napolitano Focuses on Immigration Enforcement? LINK

DEMS/GOP:

Politico?s Mike Allen: ?White House irked by GOP tactic? LINK

Politico?s Jonathan Martin: ?Santorum dips toes in 2012 Iowa waters? LINK

ECONOMY:

USA Today?s Dennis Cauchon: ?Oklahoma City defies recession? LINK

USA Today?s Daniel Wagner: ??COP? Warns that bad assets still threaten banks? LINK

Bloomberg?s Shobhana Chandra and Kristy Scheuble: ?U.S. Enters Recovery as Stimulus Refutes Skeptics, Survey Shows? LINK

CONGRESS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Brody Mullins and August Cole: ?House Leaders Pare Pentagon Jet Order Amid Growing Outcry? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Brody Mullins and T.W. Farnam: ?Congress Retreats Over Jet Purchase? LINK

USA Today?s Kathy Kiely: ?Senate ?pillar? Edward Kennedy gets Medal of Freedom? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Washington Post?s Dana Hedgpeth: ?Clunkers Program Clears Out Car Lots? LINK

The New York Times? Ralph Blumenthal: ?Corruption Found at Waterfront Watchdog? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Obama Debunks Health Bill's 'Death Panel' Rule? LINK

?Protesters Greet Obama in N.H.? LINK

?Clinton Stands Up for African Women? LINK

?Paying for Health Care Reform? LINK

Republicans Compare Health Care To Stimulus, Say August Timeline Is Too Hasty

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: Democrats are starting to run up on timelines for health care reform and the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Republicans say they are being too hasty and warn that a health care bill will lead to unintended consequences.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.,told reporters again today that Senators will do their ?best? to confirm Sotomayor, pass a Senate version of health care reform and finish up the Pentagon policy bill they?re currently considering before they?re scheduled to leave for a month-long August recess. He dodged the question ofwhether this will require more work time in August.

Republicans, meanwhile, have taken to comparing the health care reform effort with the unpopular $775 billion stimulus bill that was passed hastily a month after President Obama took office, but has not stemmed the rise in unemployment.

?Here we are a few weeks before the recess, and you get the impression they're willing — they want to pass just anything they can as rapidly as they can. And the reason I was comparing that to the stimulus, we know that that at least so far is a failure. It, once again, was sold to us on the basis that we had to do it tomorrow in order to prevent catastrophe,? said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

?I think that's a flawed strategy,? he said. ?I think we ought to take our time and do it right,? McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday.

It?s possible — but not yet guaranteed –that the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will pass its version of health care reform.

This would be the first fully baked stab presented by Democrats and modified by votes in a public process at the committee over the past several weeks. It has a controversial public health insurance option and a mandate for employers to either provide health care coverage or pay, and it will ultimately be melded with whatever is produced by the Senate Finance Committee to expand Medicaid and pay for health care.

The Finance Committee is nowhere near done with its version of health care reform. Another bipartisan meeting began behind closed doors late this afternoon.

McConnell also questioned the central sales pitch the Obama administration has used to pitch health care reform as a necessity– that reforming health care will ultimately save money.

?We're told on this that in part the reason for doing health care is that it will actually save money over the long term.Most of us are scratching our heads wondering how you can design a plan in order to try to cover the uninsured, bring more people into the coverage, and still save money.In fact, that won't happen,? he said.