Elsewhere: Bloomberg's Big Chance

Attention Mike Bloomberg and Kevin Sheekey: James Carville says there is a "real, real" chance for a third-party movement in the 2008 election. A conservative GOP Iowa operative working for George Pataki's PAC has quit. Bill Hammond said that despite the political context swirling around Alan Hevesi, "it's hard to argue with the story that chart" in his most recent audit. In a recent CNN poll, former Senator John Edwards was the first second-choice among Democrats for the party's nomination. Greg Sargent feels that John McCain gets the benefit of the doubt from reporters who should "know better." The Bull Moose blogger is now Joe Lieberman's spokesman. Nancy Pelosi closes (and locks) the door on the talk about reinstating the draft that was being advanced by Charlie Rangel. New York's local judicial system may get a major overhaul. And above is the festive cover of The Nation, which has a distinctly Observer-y feel. -- Azi Paybarah