Every day we ask influential politicos to send us their top three bullet points that are driving the day's conversation inside and outside Washington.

RedState.Com Editor Erick-Woods Erickson:

– The GOP race seems quite settled. It's just that the race has settled for "Not Romney". The reason the race is so volatile is "Not Romney" is not on the ballot.

– Newt Gingrich is going to have two issues he must contend with - Senator Tom Coburn and now deceased CNN contributor and journalist Robert Novak. Both wrote scathing profiles of a guy they viewed as talking the conservative talk, but walking the establishmentarian go-along to get along walk.

– Meanwhile, National Journal ran an interesting piece yesterday on Barack Obama's narrowing path to victory. If the economy improves, so will his changes for re-election. But it seems everyone is expecting another recession. I don't think he can blame the GOP for it when it happens, but he'll try.

Firedoglake.com Blogger/Founder Jane Hamsher:

– Pepper Spray Developer: It Has Become Fashionable to Use Chemicals on People with Opinions

– Latest #OccupySupply Update – Coats Arrive!

– Independents Turned Strongly Against Obama in 2011

Editor’s Note: The blog is a place for a freewheeling exchange of ideas and opinions. CNN does not endorse anything said by its contributors.

Every day we ask influential politicos to send us their top three bullet points that are driving the day's conversation inside and outside Washington.

RedState.Com Editor Erick-Woods Erickson:

– The Democrats aren't waiting for the General Election to define Mitt Romney as a flip-flopper with no real beliefs. There are lots of conspiracy theories for why, but it seems the real answer is the easiest explanation — the Democrats think Romney is going to be the nominee, so why wait to define him and as an added bonus, capitalize on the GOP angst over a Romney nomination and maybe, just maybe, drag out the nomination process so Romney has to spend more money in the primary that he could otherwise use in the general.

– Tom Edsall has a look at the Democrats' new coalition. I thought the the GOP was the party of "the rich" and "Wall Street." Turns out the Democrats say that, but don't really think so. The Obama campaign intends to run a campaign focusing on rich, white liberals and minorities. The Democrats will cede working class white voters to the GOP. So the GOP suddenly becomes the FDR Democrats and the Democrats become Rockefeller Republicans? It's all so confusing.

– The biggest news of the week? LSU beat Arkansas putting them on path for the national championship after they plow through the Georgia Dawgs. Carville, Matalin, Brazile, and Erickson will no doubt unite in bipartisan fashion leading to a potential sign of the apocalypse.

Senior Editor of MarioWire.com Mario Solis-Marich:

– Crossover Dribble: Newt Gingrich embraces the idea of a pathway to legalization for undocumented workers and as Perry embraces one of the last remaining Arizona public figures that think that scapegoating Latinos is good politics – immigration is set to play a key role in the 2012 elections.

– Backboard Shattered: The record consumer shopping over the weekend reflecting personal optimism even during a period of high public doubt is driving pundits crazy; can 20th century polling keep up with 21st century complexity?

– Four Point Play: The Occupy movement continues to score points as sympathy for the protesters is buoyed by the harsh treatment they are receiving by some police forces and Thanksgiving dinner conversations all over the country include discussions about the “99%”.

Editor’s Note: The blog is a place for a freewheeling exchange of ideas and opinions. CNN does not endorse anything said by its contributors.