Greetings from Chestertown, Maryland where I’m currently tallying up President Obama’s recent foreign policy achievements vs. failures and challenges left on the table.

2010 certainly wasn’t a dull year. Between Wikileaks and BP’s leaks, D’s and R’s battling for Congress, iPads making many forget what books feel like, and of course the now ubiquitous tea partiers — there was maybe too much material.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) Barack Obama’s team is working better and delivering results that just weeks ago seemed out of reach. Tomorrow, I’m going to be offering thoughts on these results and how the Obama White House is gaining ground.

(Holiday Tree credit: Sarah Vignale and Ling-Ling Benter; click image for larger version) Greetings from Claremont Village, California — where I feel Jimmy Stewart’s ghost haunting the corners of town.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab! — Steve Clemons

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Yesterday on MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports, I had a discussion with Washington NBC Bureau Chief Mark Whitaker on the implications and political context for the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal.

It’s an interesting day when Robert Kagan, now at Brookings, is praising the President for his foreign policy and national security achievements.

Good article today in USA Today by Desmond Tutu and former US President Jimmy Carter, on behalf of The Elders who recently wrote about this same subject.

Winter Wonderland from MEA Digital on Vimeo. Next year, I’m gonna try and beat this. And if I can’t beat them, I want to join in the beach fun. But wow, this holiday e-card is great. Happy holidays in advance folks.

Vice President Joe Biden meets with U.N Special Representative for Iraq Ad Melkert, second from left, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Jan. 5, 2010.