A look at the political week that was:

● Grover Norquist continues his slide into irrelevance, saying that President Obama “may decide to blow up small countries for fun.”

● What’s the latest on the fiscal cliff negotiations? Well, Republicans proposed a permanent extension of the Bush tax cuts for the rich, so unless they get serious in the next few weeks… we’re going over the “cliff.”

● And even though it looks like Republicans will eventually cave on raising tax rates, they seem to be signally yet another fight over raising the debt limit.

Will an increase in the age of eligibility for Medicare be a part of the deal?  Not if Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) gets her way.

No, Congressman Steve King (R-IA), Benghazi is not worse than Watergate.

● The Republican Governor of Michigan signs anti-union “right to work” bill behind closed doors as protests continue in the state.

● Apparently, Michigan wants to win the award for worst state this week because they also just passed the country’s most extreme anti-abortion legislation.

The Supreme Court will take up the issue of marriage equality.  Here’s a good primer on what to expect.

Sadly, UN Ambassador Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from consideration for the position of Secretary of State following a GOP smear campaign.