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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report — Presented by UANI — Highlights from December Dem debate | Rivals take on Buttigieg | Strong showing for Klobuchar | Sights, sounds from Los Angeles | DNC raises bar for January debate criteria | Dems hope to put public pressure on McConnell in impeachment fight | Trump's Dingell insults test GOP unity | Trump heading to Mar-a-Lago today | DC restaurants that closed in 2019

LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE

And this brings us to the 'Dramatic Improv Theatre' portion of the election cycle:

Seven Democratic presidential candidates took the stage last night in the smallest presidential primary debate of the cycle.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS:

Context and details for each from The Hill's Niall Stanage: http://bit.ly/2Q6mOhK

Happy Friday! I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The 12:30 Report will be off on Monday through the New Year. Happy Holidays, my friends!!

INTERESTING BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO -- THE PREP WORK INVOLVED TO HOST THE DEBATE:

Via Politico's Mary Newman: https://politi.co/34DhGH1

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Lol, this debate image looks eerily similar to a Weezer cover: Via @JoePerticone. Side-by-side photos: http://bit.ly/35IoXa2

Debate countdown clock in the spin room: This stresses me out. Photo from the spin room: http://bit.ly/2rbrvhP

Lol, this does look like Jeopardy: "Looks like Warren, Biden, and Bernie have their final jeopardy answers" Via Buzzfeed's Katherine Miller. Photo: http://bit.ly/2rcnPMP

Debate moderator Tim Alberta tweeted a photo before the start: "My dad's watch. My son's pin. Hope to make them both proud tonight." Photo: http://bit.ly/2Me3rC4

Oh mannn, this gif perfectly describes Biden during the debate: http://bit.ly/34GBIAo

Judy Woodruff confused Tom Steyer Tom SteyerTV ads favored Biden 2-1 in past month Inslee calls Biden climate plan 'perfect for the moment' OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump administration finalizes plan to open up Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling | California finalizes fuel efficiency deal with five automakers, undercutting Trump | Democrats use vulnerable GOP senators to get rare win on environment MORE with Andrew Yang Andrew YangBiden's latest small business outreach is just ... awful Doctor who allegedly assaulted Evelyn Yang arrested on federal charges The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden weighs in on police shootings | Who's moderating the debates | Trump trails in post-convention polls MORE: It was pretty awkward. Watch: http://bit.ly/2PG7QjB

If you're wondering what the wine cave looks like: http://bit.ly/34I05On

There's a wine cave an hour away from D.C. -- I'm just saying...: http://bit.ly/2rV5UKZ

Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerSunday shows preview: Lawmakers prepare for SCOTUS confirmation hearings before election The movement to reform animal agriculture has reached a tipping point Watchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump MORE would prefer a 'sci-fi cave': "Cory Booker got asked about the Wine Cave. He doesn't drink, so: 'If I were to have a cave in my house it would be a sci-fi cave.'" http://bit.ly/2Mgqs7E

A Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersTrump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Sanders tells Maher 'there will be a number of plans' to remove Trump if he loses Sirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters MORE adviser made a custom t-shirt to troll Pete Buttigieg: http://bit.ly/36YYx43

Lots of people on Twitter pointed this out: "Q: In the holiday spirit, would you like to ask for forgiveness for something or give a gift of something?

Female candidates: Forgive me for getting mad.

Male candidates: I have a gift. It is my book." (Via The Huffington Post's Jennifer Bendery) http://bit.ly/2S6LARv

The debate live feed went dark in China when the candidates were asked about China: From CNN international correspondent Will Ripley:

CNN live feed of Democratic presidential debate goes to black in Beijing. Candidates were asked about China’s human rights record & the mass detention of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. #PresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/DSQ9QRu5zA — Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) December 20, 2019

FROM THE SPIN ROOM:

Overhead shot of the spin room: http://bit.ly/34DHdQl

Politico reporters spoke with a young reporter in the spoon room: Photos: http://bit.ly/2EAfm9l

Reporters crowded around Andrew Yang post-debate: Here's photo: http://bit.ly/34CQsAd

Surrogates for Bernie Sanders wore wine cave shirts: http://bit.ly/38UZKeh

WHEN IS THE NEXT DEBATE:

Jan. 14 in Des Moines, Iowa. https://nyti.ms/35M6M36

ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING

Last night was fun. Now up your game:

Via CNN's Kate Sullivan, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) released debate requirements to qualify for January's presidential primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa. https://cnn.it/2ECnwh8

Debate qualification No. 1: "Candidates will either need to receive 5% in at least four DNC-approved national or early state (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada) polls, or receive 7% in two early state polls."

Plus...



Debate qualification No. 2: "For the fundraising threshold, candidates need to receive donations from at least 225,00 unique donors, and a minimum of 1,000 unique donors per state in at least 20 different states. The qualifying window for polls and donations is November 14 to 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2020. The fundraising threshold must also be reached by January 10."

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

(Almost) signed, sealed, delivered:

This morning, President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE said he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about "phase one" of the trade agreement and that a signed deal is "being arranged." http://bit.ly/2ECjZzz

Trump tweeted: "Had a very good talk with President Xi of China concerning our giant Trade Deal. China has already started large scale purchaes [sic] of agricultural product & more. Formal signing being arranged. Also talked about North Korea, where we are working with China, & Hong Kong (progress!)." http://bit.ly/2EEp0YA

LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT

Democrats, meet your new public enemy No. 1:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, Democrats are hoping to put more public focus on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHawley warns Schumer to steer clear of Catholic-based criticisms of Barrett Senate GOP set to vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick before election Harris slams Trump's Supreme Court pick as an attempt to 'destroy the Affordable Care Act' MORE (R-Ky.) in the battle over the rules of an impeachment trial. http://bit.ly/2MgRBr3

What Democrats are doing: Holding back the articles of impeachment as a tactic to prevent the trial from beginning. "Democratic senators hope that slowing down the pace will give them time to highlight Republican opposition to additional witnesses and documents."

McConnell reacted: "It's beyond me how the Speaker and Democratic leader in the Senate think withholding the articles of impeachment and not sending them over gives them leverage."

Remember that GOP unity we were talking about yesterday?:

Via The Hill's Brett Samuels and Morgan Chalfant, "President Trump's insult of a prominent Democratic family in Michigan is earning criticism from Republicans just at the time the GOP is trying to project unity on impeachment." http://bit.ly/2PKDZqh

Back story: "Trump ripped Debbie Dingell Deborah (Debbie) Ann DingellOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid Races heat up for House leadership posts MORE (D) for voting for impeachment, and suggested her late husband, a legendary figure in the state and in Washington, D.C., who was the longest serving member of Congress in history when he died in February, was 'looking up' from hell."

Timing: "The president's remarks prompted a mix of groans and cheers from the crowd of supporters and a quick backlash from prominent Republicans on a day when Trump and his allies expected to trumpet the party voting unanimously against two articles of impeachment."

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NOTABLE TWEETS

Lol, oh mannnn:

This may be the best example of finding the local angle that I've ever seen:https://t.co/ZCgFxZWsh3 — Clyde Haberman (@ClydeHaberman) December 19, 2019

The descriptor for President Trump is so local: "Former Jamaica Estates resident Donald Trump was impeached Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives. He is the third president to be impeached in United States history -- and the first from Queens." The full article: http://bit.ly/38Y5jbS

Lol:

Watch: http://bit.ly/35HY1qP

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out for the holidays!

President Trump is in Washington, D.C. and is headed to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this evening.

Vice President Pence has no public events on his schedule.

12:30 p.m. EST: President Trump has lunch with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE.

5:30 p.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Ginsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rabbi memorializes Ginsburg: Her dissents were 'blueprints for the future' MORE host a Christmas reception in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.

8:30 p.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

WHAT TO WATCH

7:30 p.m. EST: President Trump gives remarks and signs the National Defense Authorization Act at Joint Base Andrews. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2EFLqbD

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Sangria Day!

The bad news -- 2019's D.C. restaurant graveyard:

Via Popville, here's a list of restaurants in the D.C. area that have closed this year. Pour one out. The list: http://bit.ly/2Q3ejUw

The good news -- Yes, yes, yes:

Via Eater DC, a pop-up restaurant on U Street in D.C. will feature the best fried chicken sandwiches in the D.C. area. Details: http://bit.ly/35U7VWc

And to get your holidays off to the right start, here are two golden retrievers catching up on their snuggling: http://bit.ly/2Q3TeJH