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First up - did the Vice President authorize torture? Dick Cheney tells ABC News in an exclusive exit interview that he authorized the water boarding of prisoners as Vice President. Is water boarding torture? Well have that debate with Vanity Fair's Chris Hitchens and MSNBC's Michael Smerconish. For more on the Cheney interview: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hdqKzplVX_ZTZugjcBEKHFIRQujgD953QL2O0 Next - the Blagojevich corruption case is turning out to be a major distraction for President-elect Barack Obama. Is there a perception problem here? Plus, Illinois Governor Blagojevich addressed the allegations of corruption today. We'll show you what he said and bring you the latest on this story with Newsweek's Michael Isikoff and Attorney Stan Brand. For more on the Blagojevich corruption case: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/17/AR2008121702375.html?hpid=topnews And is nepotism alive and well in the U.S. Senate? We'll tackle that one with the Politico's Charles Mahtesian and the WashingtonPost.com's Chris Cillizza. Plus, which soon-to-be Cabinet secretary wore a cowboy hat to a press conference this morning? We'll have that and more on the Hardball Sideshow. And in the Politics Fix - the latest on the ongoing Minnesota Senate recount with Time Magazine's Michael Duffy and the New York Times's John Harwood. For the latest on all of today's political news, go to the best political website www.politics.msnbc.com, powered by NBC News and the National Journal. And, don't forget to check out NBC's "First Read" and MSNBC.com's political calendar. ========================================= This e-mail is never sent unsolicited. You have received this The Hardball Briefing Newsletter newsletter because you subscribed to it or, someone forwarded it to you. To remove yourself from the list (or to add yourself to the list if this message was forwarded to you) simply go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25810860, select unsubscribe, enter the email address receiving this message, and click the Go button. Microsoft Corporation - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA 98052 MSN PRIVACY STATEMENT http://privacy.msn.com <http://privacy.msn.com/>