Lemondrop

Kids aren't the only ones with Christmas wish lists. Even the leaders of the free world could use some help from Santa this holiday season. If those in Washington were sitting on Santa's lap (sorry for that disturbing mental image), this is what some of them might whisper into his ear.

Barack Obama
Having recently seen the lowest approval ratings of his presidency, President Obama might be asking Santa to deliver a game changer. He needs something to reverse his rapidly declining poll numbers and another Nobel prize is not gonna do it.

I suspect Obama would ask for passage of a health-care bill, but If Santa could deliver some success in Afghanistan and more jobs for Americans, that could improve his public standing.

Congressional Republicans
They must be wishing for more of the same they have gotten the past eleven months -- more big government and new spending proposed by Democrats and the president. As a result of the Obama-Reid-Pelosi agenda, GOP pols are actually seeing excellent prospects for the 2010 elections.

A lot can happen in a year, but things are looking good for Republican politicians these days. Will their prospects still look good in November 2010? I don't know, but certainly a year ago few would have predicted Republican stock would rise while Barack Obama's declined. It wouldn't hurt for Santa to fill their stockings with lots of yummy goodies, because the fewer opportunities for a foot in the mouth, the better for them.

Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity
Refer to the Congressional Republicans' wish list above, except for the edible goodies. The more these guys talk about the Obama-Reid-Pelosi agenda, the better for them.

Congressional Democrats
Those in the Senate might be asking Santa to help them sway Joe Lieberman back to their side of the aisle on issues like health care. Those in the House might be asking Santa for some bones to throw to their Blue Dogs who have not been sticking to the liberal program. It will take a lot more than candy canes and toys to convince these politicians to risk their seats by voting for a bill their voters don't like.

Sarah Palin
Palin must surely have a gag for Levi Johnston on her Christmas list this year. Maybe she's hoping a few items of clothing appear in his stocking as well. It's hard to imagine what else she might want since she's already got a book on the bestseller list, crowds standing in line for hours awaiting the chance to talk to her for a few seconds, and a bump in her approval ratings. If she wants to run for president, though, she might ask Santa to show her how to convince the public she has the qualifications for the job.

Al Gore
He might be asking Santa to make sure more of Tiger Woods' mistresses come forward. The more Tiger is in the news, the less attention is given to the Climategate scandal. More talk about Tiger's sex life means less discussion of "hide the decline" memos and less time for people to think about all the money Al Gore made off global warming hysteria.

Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, David Shuster
I can easily imagine them sitting on Santa's lap asking for more opportunities to talk about "teabagging." They really have a thing for that word.

Chris Matthews
He's probably not going to get what he wants from Santa this year because President Obama is already married and he seems quite fond of his wife. I guess a guy can dream, but visions of sugar plums might be the closest Matthews gets to his ideal Christmas wish.

It looks like Santa might really have his work cut out for him this year.