• John Fugelsang, host of “Tell Me Everything” on SiriusXM Insight 121, calls in at 9am ET / 6am PT for “Fridays With Fugelsang”
• Comedy duo Frangela joins us in the Los Angeles Bureau at 11am ET / 8am PT for “Fridays With Frangela”
• Assuring the nation he is “absolutely confident this is the right thing to do,” President Obama on Thursday explained why he has decided to maintain the United States’ current posture of 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan through most of 2016 — slowing the pace of the planned troop drawdown.
• Former Sen. Ted Kaufman, who has known Joe Biden since 1972 and is advising him on a potential presidential run, sent a letter last night to many of Biden’s former staffers about Biden and the decision before him, saying a Biden campaign would be an optimistic and unscripted campaign.
• Donald Trump and Ben Carson are threatening to boycott the next GOP debate, sponsored by CNBC, if the network doesn’t agree to change its debate format. They won’t participate if it is longer than 120 minutes including commercials and does not include opening and closing statements.
• Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is expected to plead guilty to charges related to his alleged efforts to conceal sexual misconduct related to his wrestling coach career. If the deal is finalized, Hastert’s potentially dark secrets from his past could remain secret.
