PM NOTE: Boehner Readies Escape Hatch as Talks Inch Forward, NRA Plans Presser, Outlines of an Obama Gun Control Policy Crosscurrents - Obama and Boehner Make Progress as Boehner Preps Escape Hatch - More on that, with reporting form Jon Karl below Inouye to Lie in State in Capitol Rotunda - http://abcn.ws/XGsOJZ (Miller) NRA to Hold "Major" Press Conf. Friday - "The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again." http://abcn.ws/VOfFgj Friday is also set to be an official day of mourning in Connecticut. Dick's Suspends Some Rifle Sales - http://abcn.ws/XFWt5Q Cerberus (of Chrysler Fame) to Sell Stake in Bushmaster after threat from California Teachers" Retirement System - http://abcn.ws/UAuDYd White House Gun Control Petition Breaks Record - http://abcn.ws/U7ar1Y Veto Preserves Michigan School "Gun Free Zones" - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder today vetoed a bill that would have invalidated "gun free" zones like those at schools and churches. "These public venues need clear legal authority to ban firearms on their premises if they see fit to do so." http://abcn.ws/XG5yvE (Saenz) McDonnell, Perry Speak Favorably About Armed Teachers - But some state laws already permit individual school districts to allow concealed weapons on campus. So I think that's a reasonable discussion that ought to be had." http://abcn.ws/XG5yvE (Saenz) Vague Outlines of an Obma Gun Policy - From Tapper / Bruce - The White House today indicated President Obama would support legislation that would reinstate the ban on certain types of semi-automatic rifles - known as "the assault weapons ban" - and may support other efforts, such as a proposal to ban high-capacity magazines. In the wake of the deadly massacre in Newtown, Obama supports Feinstein's assault weapons ban, called Joe Manchin and wants to close gun show loophole. Though the White House has said the president views potential solutions as not solely focused on gun control - involving, for instance, mental health issues and violence in U.S. popular culture - Carney did not provide specifics when asked about those areas. http://abcn.ws/SNrt7w Meet Chuck Hagel - Potential Defense Secretary Nominee - Chris Good reports Chuck Hagel is now a front-runner to become the next U.S. secretary of defense. Here's why. http://abcn.ws/ZLeRQa Boehner's Plan B - Jon Karl reports: Despite the hopeful signs overnight, the prospects of a comprehensive fiscal cliff deal once again appear to be waning. At 5 p.m. ET Tuesday, House Speaker John Boehner was set to outline, in detail, his Plan B to House Republicans. He first floated the proposal this morning. http://abcn.ws/VOGGAq According to top House GOP sources, here are the key elements of the "Plan B" bill: Bush tax cuts extended for everybody making less than $1 million a year. - Tax increase (because of expiring tax cuts) on everybody making more than $1 million. - Extension of the estate tax cut (keeping it at 35% for estates over $5 million) - Extension current tax rate (15%) on capital gains and dividends (both are scheduled to go up) for those making under $1 million a year. For those making more than $1 million, the capital gains and dividends tax goes to 20%) - Relief for many hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax. House and Senate Democrats have signaled they will oppose this Plan B. And Boehner now needs to make the case for Republicans to support it despite the fact that it allows the tax rate on millionaires to go up. Senate Democrats are already preparing for the likelihood this bill will be passed by the House and sent to the Senate. This afternoon, Harry Reid said he would amend the bill (likely applying the higher rates to a lower income threshold of, say, $400,000) and send it back to the House. It increasingly looks like this will be the quasi-solution to the fiscal cliff. But it would leave major unfinished business - and great economic uncertainty - for early in the new year. Among the issues not addressed: Debt ceiling - Unemployment benefits - Across the board cuts ("sequester") to Defense and other domestic programs - Payments to Medicare doctors But Obama / Boehner Negotiations Continue - Reports Devin Dwyer - In a new offer to Boehner on Monday night, Obama offered to raise his tax-hike threshold to incomes above $400,000 and trim his overall tax revenue target to $1.2 trillion over 10 years. The White House made a point of noting that its latest proposal is not "our final offer," signaling more room for compromise. http://abcn.ws/Woxets Chained Melody - Liberals Balk at CPI Proposal - Chris Good reports - Liberals on Tuesday blasted the White House's latest fiscal-cliff proposal as a cut to Social Security benefits. And that rubbed liberals the wrong way. - http://abcn.ws/XGfPYN Mexican Prez to De-Emphasize Pursuit of Cartels- From Univision's Jordan Fabian - Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said Monday his administration will shift the nation's anti-crime strategy in a break from the U.S.-backed campaign against drug cartels carried out under his predecessor, Felipe Calderón. According to multiple media reports, Peña Nieto laid out a plan before Mexico's National Council on Public Security that he would focus more on reducing crimes against ordinary citizens - such as murder, kidnapping, and extortion - than pursuing the leaders of violent drug cartels. Peña Nieto and members of his cabinet were also critical of the previous administration's policies, which resulted in a drawn out war against cartels that has left tens of thousands dead. http://abcn.ws/12yFYNm Obama Holds Cards, But No Mandate - ABC Pollster Gary Langer translates the ABC News / Washington Post Poll - "President Obama holds most of the cards in fiscal cliff negotiations with the Republican leaders of Congress, with more Americans approving of his handling of the talks and more prepared to blame the GOP if the brinksmanship fails.