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CNN Late Edition (Wolf Blitzer)

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push. With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

Meme:
- You can't say that CNN doesn't know its duty. They are here to tell you that "things are bad in Iraq." Do you get it yet? OK, we'll have to tell you again! Things are bad in Iraq. Now, will you please give up this "victory" nonsense and just surrender? Please?
- No, really. We meant. It's a lost cause. Don't argue. Everyone agrees. There's a consensus. Just like global warming. Now go away. Wait. We didn't mean go away, just stop bothering us smart people.
Topics:
- A look back at the rough week in Iraq
Guests
- Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi
  - More troops urged for Iraq (Chicago Tribune - Dec 15, 2006)
  - Iraqi VP says Bush wants coalition to counter al-Sadr (USA Today - Dec 15, 2006)
  - Iraq: Political Parties Consider Uniting Against Al-Sadr (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, Czech Republic - Dec 15, 2006)
  - News Summary for December 14, 2006 (PBS - Dec 15, 2006)
  - The Iranian Position (Stratfor - Dec 13, 2006)
- Senator Jon Kyl, Republican - Arizona
  - Senate web site | Bio
  - Hometown economics - Guest Opinion - Jon Kyl (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ - Dec 14, 2006)
  - Jon Kyl: End of Session Report (National Ledger, AZ - Dec 11, 2006)
  - Fahrenkopf's Insights Are Worth Reading (Online-Casinos.com, Denmark - Dec 14, 2006)
  - Senators Lining Up to Talk to Syrian President (CNSNews.com, VA - Dec 14, 2006)
  - Robert Novak: John 'McCain Inc.' will be hard to stop (The Union Leader, NH - Dec 15, 2006)
- Senator Jack Reed, Democrat -Rhode Island
  - Senate web site | Bio (Wikipedia - Senate bio page unavailable)
  - Iraq is top issue, defense budget a close second, Reed says (ArmyTimes.com, VA - Dec 15, 2006)
  - Senator’s condition is treatable (Providence Journal, RI - Dec 14, 2006)
  - Bush won't 'be rushed' on Iraq (Washington Times, DC - Dec 13, 2006)
  - Democratic Leaders Seek Special Iraq Envoy to Try to Stem the Violence (New York Times, NY - Nov 30, 2006)
  - Reed applauds findings (Providence Journal, RI - Dec 6, 2006)
  - More jobs in Nov., unemployment up too (FXstreet.com The Futures Market, Spain - Dec 8, 2006)
- Shibley Telhami
  - Shibley Telhami, Brookings Institution | web site | Profile
  - Panel Offers Chance for Public Arab Critique of U.S. MidEast Policies (Agape Press, MS - Dec 13, 2006)
  - Syrian Ambassador Slams US at CAIR-Hosted Conference (CNSNews.com, VA - Dec 13, 2006)
  - The Limits of Public Diplomacy (Foreign Policy In Focus - Dec 13, 2006)
  - DC Press Club Panel to Offer Arab, Muslim View of Iraq Report (Yahoo! News (press release) - Dec 8, 2006)
  - Iran's president urges Americans to back Iraq exit (Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 30, 2006)
  - Contrary to Chomsky’s theories, the United States has no interest to support Israel (Al-Jazeerah.info, GA - Dec 2, 2006)
- Retired Army Gen. Daniel Christman
  - Senior VP US Chamber of Commerce | Bio
  - Making the Lebanon Ceasefire Work: Security Requirements and Implications for an International Force (Policy Watch/Peace Watch - Aug 30, 2006
  - Security Gap (Democrat Leadership Council - Oct 21, 2005)
- Vali Nasr
  - Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies, Council on Foreign Relations | web site | Bio
  - US urged to engage Shiite clerics (Houston Chronicle - Dec 8, 2006)
  - Iran Asks Arabs to Join New Middle Eastern Security Alliance (Center for Research on Globalization, Canada - Dec 7, 2006)
  - Iran's Foreign Agents of Disinformation: More About VEVAK (Global Politician, NY - Nov 13, 2006)
  - Iran to hold summit on Iraq violence (ABC Online, Australia - Nov 21, 2006)
  - Bolten Pushes Bush to Listen (Washington Post, United States - Dec 11, 2006)
- John Podesta
  - President, Center for American Progress | web site | Bio
  - Climate fight heads to Senate (Kansas City Star, MO - Dec 13, 2006)
  - Curt Weldon: CIA, FBI 'Out of Control (NewsMax.com, FL - Dec 12, 2006)
  - Experts: Voters want nation back in middle (Savannah Morning News, GA - Nov 18, 2006)
  - Conservatives Raise Concerns About Dems Bipartisan Spokesman (USA Religious News, MN - Dec 6, 2006)
  - Kailin Clarke '07: Project Robin Hood (The Brown Daily Herald, RI - Nov 28, 2006)
  - Petition Drive Calls for International Community to Replace Coalition in Iraq (OneWorld.net, UK - Nov 21, 2006)
- Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute.
CNN Late Edition (web page for comments)