Hotline After Dark -- Freelance Writer

"World News" led with the economy. "Evening News" led with swine flu. "Nightly News" led with the Ft. Hood investigation.

Much of last night's TV talk focused on ex-AK Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) upcoming book tour.

Dem strategist Chris Kofinis, on Palin's tour: "You have, let's see, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, a big bus with Sarah Palin on it. I think the only thing missing is the 2012 logo. I think there should be no doubt that she's running for president, which basically means that the heads of the Republican Party, well, their heads just exploded" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 11/12).

Ex-Educ. Sec. Bill Bennett, on Palin: "She's got loads of talent. And extremely popular. Just worried about the book. I hope there's nothing in the book that's going to explode" ("Hannity," FNC, 11/12).

Al Gore, on how Palin's book sales will affect her political future: "Not necessarily, because there is a big audience for books of this sort. It doesn't always translate into votes. And, again, I don't even know if she's going to be a candidate again" (CNN, 11/12).

After the jump, more on the Palin bookcontinued continued reaction to the Stupak amendment and Ex-HP CEO Carly Fiorina (R) discusses her Senate run.

(RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX & ABBY LIVINGSTON)

The Hill's Stoddard, on Palin's book tour: "She's either restoring her image and becoming a big speech maker who's going to earn a big fat check every time she gets on the road. Or she really is trying to run for 2012, in which case she either succeeds or she flops and becomes a king maker and ends up getting social conservatives energized behind her campaign and in the end she gives her blessing to Mike Huckabee or somebody else. I think this is just a no-lose proposition for her and I think it's good" ("Ed Show," MSNBC, 11/12).

RIGHT TO FIGHT

PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D), on whether the debate on abortion has become divisive enough that it may stymie health care reform passing: "We've got to take a deep breath and not fight collateral battles. Health reform is so important for this country that it's got to supersede all of this stuff. ... People have to keep their eye on the ball and understand what the real issue is here. And I believe, in the end, very few congressmen are going to cast a no vote on a bill that they're in favor of because it doesn't include the Stupak Amendment" ("Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 11/12).

Ex-WH adviser David Gergen: "We now have two things that are going on. There's a building firestorm among pro-choice groups about this amendment, enough so, so that if a final bill comes out of conference and goes back to the House of Representatives without this kind of language in it, there is a danger that health care could go down" ("AC 360," CNN, 11/12).

MSNBC's Maddow, on Stupek being concerned anti-abortion Cong. members will be "double-crossed": "There is absolutely no sign that Congressman Stupak has been double-crossed in any way. There's no sign of any sort of deal that his language, his anti-abortion language, would survive into the Senate. There's absolutely no sign of a deal that he was promised that his anti-abortion language would survive in the conference committee. There's no sign of any sort of deal that he was promised that this would last into the final version of the bill."

More Maddow: "What he was promised was that he could bring up his amendment and that it would get a vote in the House. That happened. It passed. It's done. Nobody owes him anything. This allegation that he'd be double-crossed if his language doesn't make it into the final bill is completely made up. And it's complete nonsense on his part" ("Countdown," 11/12).

I, CARLY

Fiorina went "On The Record," 11/12 p.m.

Fiorina, on why she wants to beat Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA): "First the work the U.S. Senate does affects every family and business in America. We can do better than Barbara Boxer who does not represent the interests of the people of California, as is crystal clear from her voting record and her lack of accomplishment. ... We need someone in Washington show knows something about job creation, which should be our top priority, and someone who isn't afraid to take on out of control government spending."

Fiorina, on cap-and-trade: "The bill that Barbara Boxer is currently pushing, cap and trade, is an job killer."

Fiorina, on her breast cancer recovery: "My health is terrific, thanks for asking. I have battled breast cancer all year, and that is why I have this kind of crazy hairdo now. I looked like a hardboiled eggs earlier this year. At least I have a little hair on top my head now. Through that experience, I come out of that not only feeling great but also feeling very grateful, and I am really focused on giving back to the people in California."

Fiorina, on Gens. David Petraeus and Stanley McChrystal: "They have made very clear recommendation, and I think the president should accept their recommendation."

Fiorina, on Boxer: "I must say that after chemotherapy, Barbara Boxer is not very scary" (FNC, 11/12).