LAST TICKET: Murkowski says Alaska Senate race won’t be decided this week; Manchin apologizes for missing votes

The Ticket

Here are the stories we took note of today, but didn't give the full blog treatment:

• Lisa Murkowski doesn't think the Alaska Senate results will be certified before the holidays. (Associated Press)

• The Senate is expected vote on the START nuclear treaty tomorrow. (New York Times)

• West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin apologized for missing the "don't ask, don't tell" and DREAM act votes. (The Hill)

• Wikileaks critic Sarah Palin is now citing leaked cables. (The Cutline)

• Nikki Haley got name-checked in a Das Racist song. (Ben Smith)

• Jim DeMint defends his comments about the Senate working during the holidays. (Foreign Policy)

• There's more anonymous mudslinging in the RNC chair race. (National Review)

• Incoming Florida Gov Rick Scott has raised $2.5 million for his inaugural. (Miami Herald)

• The real Census story: A boom in Hispanic voters. (The Atlantic)

• No one can beat Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson except Jeb Bush. (Public Policy Polling)