Gingrich Won't Be On Virginia Ballot

GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has failed to turn in the 10,000 signatures necessary to have his name appear on the Virginia GOP primary ballot.

The state’s Republican Party tweeted on Friday evening, “After verification, RPV has determined that Newt Gingrich did not submit required 10k signatures and has not qualified for the VA primary.”

Gingrich’s campaign director, Michael Krull, reacted to the news.

“Only a failed system excludes four out of the six major candidates seeking access to the ballot. Voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender, especially leading candidates. We will work with the Republican Party of Virginia to pursue an aggressive write-in campaign to make sure that all the voters of Virginia are able to vote for the candidate of their choice.”

Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House, made a last-ditch effort to drum up support amongst Commonwealth voters this week, holding a couple campaign events in various parts of the state.

Texas Governor Rick Perry also failed to land on the ballot, the state party announced. Republican voters in Virginia will head to the polls on March 6, also known as ‘Super Tuesday.’

Gingrich visited South Carolina yesterday, but will take a break this weekend to celebrate the Christmas holiday before heading back out on the trail on Tuesday.

OPINION: Flash Mobs At Christmas

I really enjoy the flash mobs at Christmastime.

No, I don’t mean the Occupy protestors; I mean people who surprise people at a mall, a restaurant, an airport, or anyplace else with an outburst of unexpected music, singing and maybe dancing.  It’s a modern variation on Christmas caroling, but it surprises large gatherings rather than households.

Handel’s “Messiah” is one of the most popular themes, but others are light-hearted Christmas songs or classic carols.  Thanks to social media, organizers can bring together large groups that sometimes didn’t even know each other until they pull off their surprise.

Of course they record it on cell phones or pocket cams, and share it on the Internet.  If you haven’t seen a group of senior citizens singing and dancing slowly in store aisles with canes and walkers, then you better look online.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

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WATCH: Obama Relieved To Get Payroll Extension Done

Speaking to reporters at the White House today President Obama said he was pleased that the deal got done. He thanked all members of Congress and made the following remarks; Every working American keeps their tax cut. Vital unemployment insurance continues. When members return, without drama or delay, they should reach agreement through all of 2012. It should be a formality. This is important for families and the economy.

He thanked Americans for bringing their voices to the debate, which takes courage to think that your voice makes a difference. It’s a reminder to people in this town; They did not send us here to play partisan games, but to serve. It is good news. There is a lot more work to do.

This is a make or break moment for the middle class, he said. The economy is showing some positive signs. We must redouble our efforts. Everyone should play by the same rules and have a fair chance. That is the country the American people deserve and want. Merry Christmas to everyone. A special Happy Christmas to all the men and women in uniform.

The President finished by saying, “Aloha.” He then walked out of the press briefing room and within five minutes, had boarded Marine One on his way to Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland. There, he’ll board Air Force One and fly to Hawaii to spend Christmas with the rest of the First Family.

House Approves Senate Payroll Measure

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) issued the following statement after the House voted via unanimous consent to pass the Senate’s two-month payroll tax cut extension:

“Today’s vote ensures that on January 1st, 160 million Americans will not see their taxes go up, over 2 million Americans will not lose unemployment insurance as they look for work, and 48 million Americans will not lose access to their doctor. Now we must immediately focus on extending these critical policies for a full year. I am hopeful that Republicans will work with us to do so quickly, and not take Americans to the brink once more.”

Boehner Blinks, Says He'll Pass Senate Payroll Extension

Congress will convene today in hopes of approving a stopgap measure renewing payroll tax cuts for middle-class workers and unemployment benefits for millions - despite serious opposition among many rank-and-file House Republicans.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) caved Thursday afternoon after intense pressure and criticism from President Obama and congressional Democrats - but most notably, perhaps, from GOP notables like Karl Rove and the Wall Street Journal, along with Sens. Scott Brown (Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Bob Corker (Tenn.) In a brief statement, Boehner said Republicans had won new provisions that would protect businesses from certain payroll reporting requirements.

He broke the news to fellow GOP members in an eight-minute conference call, in which no open mic session was held so no questions could be asked. Boehner said he didn’t know whether any lawmaker would object, but was prepared to call the House back into session next week to pass the bill.

Today’s House and Senate sessions are very unusual and tense since both chambers have technically recessed. Leaders will try to pass the short term agreement under debate rules that would allow any individual member of Congress to derail the pact, at least for a time.

Rep. Mo Brooks (Ala) said he may do exactly that. “The US Senate’s bill is horrific policy founded on political expedience and holiday schedules,” he said after the conference call. Likewise, Freshman Rep. Mike Kelly (Pa.) added “I’m not so sure I’m not going to” drive to Washington to protest the unanimous consent agreement.

In a statement released by the White House Thursday evening, President Obama said, “this is good news, just in time for the holidays…This is real money that will make a real difference in people’s lives.”

The wheels to a deal were set in motion yesterday when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called on the House to pass the 60-day extensio and for the Senate to appoint conferees to negotiate next month. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) has pledged that the two sides will be able to quickly iron out their differences.

Should today’s unanimous consent vote pass, the bill will then go to President Obama for signature to become law for two months. This, of course, will set off a heated January showdown over how to offset the cost of continuing the two percent tax cut and long-term jobless benefits averaging $300 a week, as well as preventing doctors from absorbing a 27% cut in Medicare payments for another ten months.

Geoff Holtzman contributed to this report.