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Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.
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politics lead
Panel: Upbeat Obama holds final press conference of the year
(CNN) - Like most of the American people, President Obama today seemed all set to put his office in the rear view mirror and get out of town for some vacation.
In the first family's case, in a few hours that will mean a stroll across the White House South Lawn onto Marine One then to Air Force One and off to Hawaii.
But whereas you and I have to go through grumbling TSA agents submitting our bags and shoes to inspection, presidents subject themselves to full-on probes from the White House press corps.
politics lead
Debate: Will new relations with Cuba boost Obama legacy?
(CNN) - The decision to open relations with Cuba is contentious.
CNN's political commentator Jay Carney, who served as White House press secretary under President Obama, and Bill Kristol, editor of the conservative publication The Weekly Standard joined "The Lead" to debate.
politics lead
Obama admin. bargaining below the radar
(CNN) - A new era of U.S. foreign policy on full display.
President Obama has long stated he hoped to reverse America's relationships with its most notorious enemies, like Cuba and Iran, by engaging their leaders in conversation and trying to find common ground. It hasn't always worked, but the president has shown he's willing to double down in the high stakes game of global diplomacy, especially when U.S. hostages are at stake.
CNN's Jake Tapper reports.
politics lead
Jeb Bush attacked after announcing possible 2016 run
(CNN) - The competition for the 2016 race for the White House heated up today.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush took to Facebook to announce that he has decided to "actively explore the possibility of running for president of the United States."
CNN National Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has more on the decision that has already sparked some sniping.
politics lead
Liberal and conservative backlash throws spending bill in doubt
Washington (CNN) - With just hours left to pass a spending bill that would avoid a government shutdown, a $1.1 trillion compromise deal in the House appears to be in trouble.
Usually the fight is between House Republicans and Senate Democrats. But this battle is different.
In fact, things got so weird Thursday, a Senate Democrat made a passionate appeal to tea party Republicans to reject the bill.
A compromise bill will never make members of both parties happy, but what is it about this one that is causing so much backlash?
CNN's Dana Bash reports.
