Asia stocks down as Fed holds off on new stimulus

A man smokes in Central, business district, with a backdrop of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, right, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. World stock markets vacillated Tuesday as criticism by ratings agencies sparked doubts about a historic European Union plan to fix a massive debt crisis by binding member economies closer together. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

A man smokes in Central, business district, with a backdrop of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, right, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. World stock markets vacillated Tuesday as criticism by ratings agencies sparked doubts about a historic European Union plan to fix a massive debt crisis by binding member economies closer together. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

BANGKOK (AP) ? Asian stocks fell Wednesday after the Federal Reserve refrained from offering new initiatives to help a slowly recovering U.S. economy.

Benchmark oil hovered below $100 per barrel while the dollar rose against the euro but slipped against the yen.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 0.8 percent to 8,787.68. South Korea's Kospi lost 0.4 percent at 1,856.46 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.2 percent to 18,413.79. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose less than 0.1 percent to 4,196.40.

Benchmarks in mainland China, Singapore and Indonesia fell while Taiwan, India and the Philippines rose.

U.S. stocks gave up gains Tuesday after the Fed released a policy statement that made clear it was not offering any new steps to help the economy.

The Fed said that the U.S. economy, while improving, is still weak. Unemployment remains high, and it remains vulnerable to the European debt crisis, which could push the continent into a recession and slow U.S. growth.

Analysts said markets were disappointed that the Fed refrained from a third round of large-scale purchases of Treasury securities, dubbed quantitative easing III or QE3.

"I think QE3 would be a welcome change to the status quo. I think the market was disappointed," said Francis Lun, managing director of Lyncean Holdings in Hong Kong.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.6 percent to close at 11,954.94. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 0.9 percent to 1,225.73. The Nasdaq composite fell 1.3 percent to 2,579.27.

The Dow dropped more than 70 points in the last hour of trading and had risen as high as 126 points earlier Tuesday after two strong auctions of European debt. The Spanish government was able to sell short-term debt at much lower interest rates compared with a month ago, a signal that markets are becoming less fearful about the government's ability to repay its debt.

And in its first sale of short-term bills, the European Financial Stability Fund raised 1.9 billion euros ($2.6 billion).

Still, investor sentiment remained fragile amid threats by Standard & Poor's to downgrade the credit ratings of 15 countries that use the euro because of the region's debt crisis.

"We are likely to continue seeing some cautious trading as the threat of S&P coming out to issue some downgrades at some stage this week looms," said Stan Shamu of IG Markets in Melbourne, Australia.

"Some would argue that this is already priced in, but it will still likely rock the boat should it happen."

Export shares in Japan were under pressure as the yen strengthened against a shaky euro. Sharp Corp. dropped 3 percent while Toshiba Corp. lost 1.7 percent. Honda Motor Corp. slid 2.6 percent.

Chinese property shares dropped after the government signaled that it would maintain price curbs on real estate.

"The government has set a clear tone for reining in runaway housing prices next year," Wang Yulin of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Hong Kong-listed China Vanke Co. fell 1.4 percent and Evergrande Real Estate Group dived 3.3 percent.

Australia's Westpac Banking Corp. was down 0.2 percent after the bank warned that net interest margins, and revenues in its markets business, were being impacted by Europe's debt crisis.

Benchmark oil for January delivery was down 23 cents to $99.91 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $2.37 to finish at $100.14 an ounce on the Nymex on Tuesday.

In currencies, the euro fell to $1.3034 from $1.3043 late Tuesday in New York. The dollar fell to 77.95 yen from 77.97 yen.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2011-12-14-World-Markets/id-56e971e399574a9290e516d54f3148f0

michelle obama booed at nascar polio cutler natalie wood christina aguilera tony stewart amas

Fed stands pat, says economy grew moderately

By Martin Crutsinger, The Associated Press

The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that the U.S. economy has improved modestly as hiring and consumer spending have picked up. As a result, it's holding off on any new steps to boost the economy.

Fed officials cautioned in their statement that unemployment remains high. And it noted that global economic growth has slowed ? a reference to Europe's debt crisis. They left open the possibility of taking new steps next year if the economy worsens.

The statement had only slight changes from November's statement. It was approved by an identical 9-1 vote. Charles Evans dissented for the second straight meeting, arguing again for more action by the Fed.

Many economists said Fed policymakers likely spent their final meeting of the year fine-tuning a strategy for communicating changes in interest rates more explicitly. The Fed has left rates near zero for the past three years. More guidance would help assure investors, companies and consumers that rates won't rise before a specific time.

The Fed made no mention of a new communications strategy in its statement. But economists say it could be unveiled as soon as next month, after the Fed's Jan. 24-25 policy meeting.

In September, the Fed said it would re-arrange its bond holdings to stress longer-term maturities, to try to exert more downward pressure on long-term rates.

That followed the Fed's announcement in August that it planned to keep its benchmark rate at a record low until at least mid-2013, as long as the economy remains weak. It was the first time it had committed to keeping the rate there for a specific period. The Fed repeated that timeframe in its December policy statement.

The economy, while improving, is still weak. And it remains vulnerable to the European debt crisis, which could push the continent into a recession and slow U.S. growth. On Nov. 30, the Fed joined other central banks in making it easier for banks to borrow dollars. The goal is to help prevent Europe's crisis from igniting a global panic.

Now, Fed officials are debating how much further to go to signal a likely timetable for any rate changes. Under one option, the Fed would start forecasting the levels it envisions for the funds rate over the subsequent two years. It could publish this forecast, as it now does its economic outlook, four times a year.

Doing so would help assure investors, companies and consumers that rates won't rise before a specific time. This might help lower long-term yields further ? in effect providing a kind of stimulus.

Some worry that such guidance risks inhibiting the Fed's flexibility to revise interest rates if necessary. Others counter that the Fed wouldn't hesitate to shift rates if warranted. And they say the benefits of clearer guidance outweigh any constraints it might impose.

The Fed is also discussing setting an explicit target for "core" inflation. Core inflation excludes the volatile categories of energy and food. It's remained historically low ? currently around 1.5 percent by one measure.

Should the U.S. economy worsen, the Fed could take bolder steps, such as buying more mortgage securities. Doing so could help push down mortgage rates and help boost home purchases. The weak housing market has been slowing the broader economy.

The boldest move left would be a third round of large-scale purchases of Treasury securities. But critics say this would raise the risk of future inflation. And many doubt it would help much anyway, because Treasury yields are already near historic lows. Unless Europe's crisis worsens and spreads, few expect another program of Treasury purchases.

Related:

Fed is battling economic forces beyond its control

?

Source: http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/13/9419553-fed-keeps-rates-unchanged-says-economy-has-grown-moderately

cain accuser aesop rock take care track list michael jackson trial carlos the jackal namibia namibia

PFT: 49ers dominate Rams, clinch NFC West

AP

The 13th Sunday of the NFL season brought bad luck for plenty of teams.? But good luck for others.

And that?s the extent to which I?ll force a triskaidekaphobia-inspired introduction onto this week?s edition of the Monday 10-pack.

Actually, I could also expand the normal list of 10 takes to 13.? Luckily enough, I know not to take on the extra work.

1.? Packers close in on 16-0.

Many believed that, if the Packers could get past the giant-killing Giants in Week 13, the defending Super Bowl champs would be virtually guaranteed a perfect regular season.

Given the current state of the four remaining opponents, that outcome is looking more and more likely.

For starters, the Raiders looked ragged in Miami; they next come to Lambeau Field on Sunday.? Then, the Packers head to Kansas City.? Though the Chiefs possibly will avoid being blown out, it?s a stretch to imagine them beating the Packers.

Then come the back-to-back season-ending home games, which suddenly look a lot easier, given the injury-fueled implosion of the Bears and the penalty-driven collapse of the Lions.

The broader question becomes whether the Packers can win the following three games ? the ones that really count.? The added pressure of becoming the first 19-0 team in league history won?t help.? The larger challenge could come, ironically, from the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.? If it?s cold, wet, windy, etc. on a January day when a team like the 49ers come to town, the Packers? home-field advantage could be neutralized, since the Niners excel at running the ball and stopping the run.

2.? Silver lining for the Giants.

In 2007, the Giants hosted the 15-0 Patriots.? In a game with no playoff implications for either team, New York stayed within three points, losing late by a score of 38-35.? The near miss gave the Giants a surge of confidence that propelled them through the playoffs and into a rematch with the Patriots.

And if you don?t know what happened when they played again, the sport is called football.? We hope you become a fan of the game.

This time, another 38-35 home loss to another unbeaten juggernaut could provide similar confidence to a Giants team that sits one game behind the Cowboys, with two games to play against them.? Though there are many differences, the Giants could use the fact that they gave the Packers everything they could handle as the bucket of ice water to snap the Giants from yet another late-season funk.

If it doesn?t happen, it could be the last late-season funk over which coach Tom Coughlin ever presides.

3.? Bears ready to break glass in event of emergency.

When Sunday began, the always-accurate Jay Glazer reported that the Bears are ?absolutely not interested? in free-agent quarterback (and Chicago native) Donovan McNabb.

When Sunday ended, our colleague John Mullin of CSNChicago.com was reporting that the Bears would now consider adding McNabb.

The change of heart demonstrated the degree of desperation that the Bears already are feeling.? Quarterback Caleb Hanie has been dreadful (three more picks on Sunday), rookie Nathan Enderle isn?t ready, and Josh McCown is, well, Josh McCown.? Although serious questions remain regarding the fitness, work ethic, and skills of the 13-year veteran, McNabb remains a better option than any of the three healthy quarterbacks currently on the roster, combined.

But even McNabb may not be enough to make a difference, especially if running back Matt Forte misses more than a game or two with a partially torn MCL.

With offensive coordinator Mike Martz already reportedly set to be dumped, coach Lovie Smith could be on the hot seat (again) in 2012, if the Bears don?t make it to the postseason in 2011.? That?s why they?re now inclined to consider giving McNabb a chance, even if there?s not much of a chance he?ll make them any better.

4.? Chargers aren?t dead yet.

It?s easy to assume that the San Diego Chargers will end up on the outside looking in when the season ends.? At 4-7 and with six straight losses, there?s no reason to believe that Chargers can turn it around.

But there?s one curious fact, based on something the Chargers accomplished three years ago.

In 2008, the Chargers lost eight of the first 13 games, and they trailed the 8-5 Broncos with three weeks remaining in the regular season.? But San Diego won the final three games.? Just as importantly, the Broncos lost the final three games.

When the dust settled, the Chargers made it to the postseason as the AFC West champs, they beat the Colts in the wild-card round, they gave the Steelers more of a fight than expected the following week, and the Broncos fired Mike Shanahan.

It?s not likely that the Chargers will pull it off again, but that one slice of history means that, for now, we can?t rule anything out.? Especially with the Raiders suddenly looking worse-than-ordinary and the Cinderella Broncos a shattered slipper away from falling apart.

5.? Team Tebow will be tough to beat in January.

It would be dangerous, however, to assume that the clock will strike midnight for Tim Tebow before the postseason.? With each passing week, the Broncos gain more and more confidence, knowing that as long as they can stay within a score of the opponent, Team Tebow can ultimately prevail.

And that attitude will serve them well in January, when confidence becomes nearly as important as talent.? Adversity eventually strikes every playoff team (except for the 1985 Bears), and the Broncos know how to overcome it because they?re doing it on a weekly basis.

Then there?s the fact that, as the media attention increases, Tebow will continue to be the focal point of it, he?ll be ready for it based on all the attention he has absorbed throughout his career, and it?ll allow his teammates to go about their business without being caught up in the distractions.

Some thought Michael Irvin was crazy to suggest Tebow can take the Broncos to the Super Bowl.? It arguably would be crazier to presume that he can?t.

And it?s even crazier to continue to assume that he?s a gimmick quarterback.? On Sunday, Tebow ran the ball only four times.? In contrast, he completed 10 of 15 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, good for a passer rating on 149.3.

Though his mechanics remain flawed and his accuracy remains at times coincidental, Tebow?s passing numbers compare favorably to those of his predecessor, Kyle Orton.? As Football Night In America editorial consultant Elliott Kalb pointed out after Sunday?s game, Tebow has now thrown 158 passes; Orton threw 155.? While Orton has more completions and a higher completion percentage, Tebow has more yards, a higher per-attempt average, more touchdowns (10 for Tebow, eight for Orton), far fewer interceptions (one for Tebow, seven for Orton), and a passer rating more than 12 points higher.

Most importantly, Tebow has six wins in seven starts.? Even if John Elway?s body language suggests that he doesn?t like the way it?s happening, it?s impossible to argue with the results.

It?ll be even harder to do that if (when) the Broncos start knocking off some of the supposedly elite AFC teams in the playoffs.

6.? Ravens may no longer need Ray Lewis.

After Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis injured a foot three weeks ago in Seattle, rumors swirled that Lewis would not play again this season.? Coach John Harbaugh dismissed the notion that Lewis won?t be back, but he already has missed three of the final seven games.? Jason La Canfora of NFL Network suggested on Sunday that Lewis could be back in Week 15, if Baltimore needs to win the game.

Given that the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots, and Texans are each 9-3, the Ravens will need to win the game.? But here?s the thing.? They?ve shown they don?t need Ray Lewis.

And this could be the best way for the post-Ray Ravens to realize that they?ll be fine after he inevitably retires.? The training wheels came off on the fly, the Ravens kept peddling, and they?re 3-0 without him.

More importantly, they?ve found a way to win against an inferior foe on the road the week after a huge victory.? That?s something Lewis couldn?t will them to do in three prior chances this season.

Though the Ravens will find a place for Lewis as long as he wants one, the team?s success without him suggest that, if the foot keeps Lewis from playing again this year and if the Ravens can continue to thrive, it could be the right time for him to realize that it?s the right time to move on.

7.? Peyton?s place may no longer be in Indy.

Another face-of-the-franchise-type player could be leaving his team under far different circumstances.? The Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning continue to careen toward an inevitable No. 1 pick in the draft and a $28 million option bonus that comes due to Manning in early March.

In a lengthy interview on the CBS pregame show, which somehow seemed even longer than it was, Manning disputed the recent suggestion from Vice Chairman Bill Polian that the two men discussed the possibility of the team picking a quarterback, explaining that the conversation occurred two years ago.? That discrepancy suggests a deeper disconnect that could drive the two sides apart.

Then there?s the ominous explanation from Manning that the eventual decisions regarding his future will become apparent in March.? That?s a far cry from Manning?s past proclamations that he?ll never play for another team.

Don?t be surprised, then, if Manning decides to move on.? The bigger question is whether he?ll play elsewhere in 2012 or whether, like former Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, Manning won?t find an alternative destination that will pay him top-of-the-market money and that will give him the ingredients for the success that Peyton craves.

8.? Raheem is nervous, and he should be.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris has become increasingly skittish this season, most recently dropping an ?F? bomb while discussing his decision to take a page from the Mike Singletary coaching playbook.? Morris is nervous for a very good reason.

Morris has a contract that runs through 2012.? While G.M. Mark Dominik received earlier this year a four-year extension, Morris hasn?t.

And so after the 2011 season, the Bucs need to decide whether to extend Raheem?s deal, to let him coach as a lame duck, or to move on.

Though there?s currently no obvious reason to believe that the Bucs will fire Morris, Morris knows that plenty of stuff can be happening behind the scenes.? He knows this because, in early 2009, he and Dominik were the guys who secretly were being lined up behind the scenes to replace former head coach Jon Gruden and former G.M. Bruce Allen.

So what?s happening behind Raheem?s back now?? He?s surely wondering about that, and that?s surely making him even more anxious than he should be.

Some would say that, by taking the job held by his former boss while his former boss didn?t know he?d be the former boss, Morris deserves a similar fate.? Regardless, his own experiences are now making him wonder what ownership may be cooking up without his knowledge.? And if ownership isn?t up to something, they need to extend Raheem?s contract sooner rather than later, in order to put the coach?s mind at ease regarding a dynamic that ownership utilized when hiring him in the first place.

9.? Chris Johnson moves closer to being Chris Johnson again.

Last week, Titans running back Chris Johnson rushed for 190 yards.? It created the impression that Johnson has finally rediscovered the magic that fueled a holdout that caused him to lose said magic.? But the tape showed a guy who still couldn?t explode like he did earlier in his career.

This week, Johnson added another 153.? And there were hints that he?s getting closer to rediscovering his ability to hit a hole and explode vertically, untouchable even by men who think they have an easy angle on him.

If Johnson can get it back this year, the Titans could be a major factor.? The No. 6 seed remains up for grabs, with a total of five five-loss teams, each of whom hold a two-game lead over the next cut of contenders.? The Titans are among that quintet, and they?re likely the most overlooked.? With Johnson churning up the yardage and getting closer to playing like his old self, maybe they shouldn?t be.

10.? Schwartz needs to get his team under control.

Much has been said about the stomping incident committed on Thanksgiving by Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.? More should have been said about the role of coach Jim Schwartz in nudging his players toward the line over which Suh leapt, and then pretending to have no responsibility when it happened.

Schwartz wants his defensive players to be salty, nasty.? It makes them more aggressive, which makes them more intimidating and thus more effective.? The mindset traces directly to Schwartz?s time in Tennessee where, despite having an influential position on the Competition Committee, Titans coach Jeff Fisher cultivated a chippy defense that wasn?t above a periodic punch or kick or, as the case may be, cleat stomp on a bare forehead.

With Schwartz enabling and/or creating Suh, other players have followed suit ? on offense.? Last night, receiver Titus Young drew a drive-killing penalty for an open-handed blow to the head worse than the one that got Richard Seymour ejected in Miami.? Then, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, during a late-game drive even more deliberate than Donovan McNabb?s punt-pass-and-puke effort in Super Bowl XXXIX, actually shoved an official.? Amazingly, Pettigrew wasn?t ejected.

At some point, Schwartz needs to be held responsible for the conduct of his players.? The NFL decided this year to implement a procedure for fining teams based on certain player misconduct; the program needs to be expanded to take money out of the coaches? pockets, too.

Then again, if enough dumb penalties contribute to enough losses, coaches like Schwartz ultimately will be held accountable, since they?ll be fired.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/04/the-49ers-are-nfc-west-champions-after-dominant-defensive-effort/related

indy car kinder morgan zachary quinto zachary quinto ashley judd brewers harbaugh

Yarmuth Hires New Communications Director - Politics News Story ...

POSTED: 12:02 pm EST December 5, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth has hired a Louisville native and former writer and editor at a Louisville alternative publication as his new communications director.Yarmuth said Monday that Stephen George will begin his new duties on Dec. 12.George is a University of Louisville graduate who previously worked for Yarmuth as a staff writer at LEO Weekly, where he later served as editor.George also worked as editor of the Nashville City Paper and wrote about government for the Nashville Scene. He most recently served as press secretary for U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee.George replaces Trey Pollard, who is leaving Yarmuth's staff to take a press job with the national Sierra Club in Washington.Yarmuth, a Democrat, represents Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District that covers Louisville.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.wlky.com/politics/29924909/detail.html

dash diet weather phoenix dippin dots triumph the insult comic dog tucson weather tucson weather peyton hillis

Saturday Night Open Thread (Balloon Juice)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/169568894?client_source=feed&format=rss

favicon.ico favicon.ico footloose best iphone 4 case best iphone 4 case sonic youth sonic youth

Jewish Jobs: JFCS Hiring Full-Time "Editorial and Electronic ...

Jewish Family and Children?s Service of Minneapolis is hiring a Full-Time Editorial and Electronic Communications Specialist. Do you have what it takes?

Jewish Family and Children?s Service of Minneapolis is seeking a full-time Editorial and Electronic Communications Specialist. The purpose of this position is to serve as manager for electronic and key print materials in an effort to increase the community?s use and support of JFCS and communicate JFCS?s mission, programs, services and accomplishments.

Responsibilities include:

• Establishes and manages social media and electronic communications planning calendar, creating a process and consistent voice for social media postings. Implements social media best practices/policy.
• Works with the Communication Director to create and manage an editorial calendar for materials with large distribution, serving as project manager to keep materials on deadline.
• Project manager, writer and designer of Directions newsletter; project manager and writer for Endowment newsletter and Annual Report.
• Reviews key print and electronic communications before publication.
• Monitors and creates website copy and develops additional content (videos, photo albums, etc.) for program pages.

Job Requirements:

EDUCATION:??Bachelor?s degree in communications, public relations or related field.

EXPERIENCE:??Minimum of three years experience in public relations related position.

SKILLS:?Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and be competent in use of Mac platform computer applications. Must be able to work with staff and vendors and to manage several projects at once. Must possess strong design and writing skills. Must be able to multitask and meet fixed deadlines. Knowledge of Jewish culture is preferred.

Benefits:

This position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

How to apply:

Please submit cover letter and resume to Tammy Cohen, Director of Human Resources. Email HumanResources@jfcsmpls.org or fax to 952.593.1778. Please specify the position you are applying for. For more information on this position, see www.jfcsmpls.org.?AA/EEO

(Photo: bgottsab)

Filed Under: Jewish Jobs

Tags: featured, Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis, Jewish Jobs Minneapolis, Jewish Jobs MInnesota, Minnesota Marketing Job

Source: http://tcjewfolk.com/jewish-jobs-jfcs-editorial-electronic-communications-specialist/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jewish-jobs-jfcs-editorial-electronic-communications-specialist

joey lawrence joey lawrence iraq war iraq war loma prieta loma prieta harold camping

Ferrer, Nadal win to give Spain 2-0 Davis Cup lead

Spain's David Ferrer celebrates defeating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro on the second tennis match of the Davis Cup Final, in Sevilla, Spain, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)

Spain's David Ferrer celebrates defeating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro on the second tennis match of the Davis Cup Final, in Sevilla, Spain, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)

Spain's David Ferrer celebrates defeating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro on the second tennis match of the Davis Cup Final, in Sevilla, Spain, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)

Spain's David Ferrer celebrates defeating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro on the second tennis match of the Davis Cup Final, in Seville, Spain, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates defeating Argentina's Juan Monaco after the first match of the Davis Cup Final, in Sevilla, Spain, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro reacts during the second tennis match of the Davis Cup Final against Spain's David Ferrer, in Seville, Spain, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) ? Rafael Nadal barely needed to break a sweat in another dominant performance on clay. David Ferrer then needed one of the best matches of his career to put Spain on the brink of another Davis Cup title.

Ferrer rallied for a grueling 6-2, 6-7 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Juan Martin del Potro on Friday to give the host Spaniards a 2-0 lead over Argentina in the final.

After Nadal brushed aside Juan Monaco in the first match, Ferrer looked to be in trouble after Del Potro went ahead 2 sets to 1. But the Argentine seemed to struggle with fatigue and nerves down the stretch, double-faulting on set point in the fourth to force a decider.

Ferrer then jumped out to a 5-1 lead before clinching the victory with his 28th forehand winner to close out a match that lasted nearly 5 hours.

"Maybe today was the best match of my career," Ferrer said after leaving Spain on the verge of a third title in four years.

Earlier, Nadal eased to a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 win over Monaco, and Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco can close out the series for four-time champion Spain against David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank in Saturday's doubles.

The United States is the only nation to have rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the final, in 1939 at Australia.

"We're still alive, of course, and we have another chance tomorrow," Del Potro said. "(But) you see that even if you play unbelievable tennis against Spain you can lose."

Ferrer dropped to his knees and let out a long scream after putting the South Americans on the verge of failing for the fourth time in a final. They also lost to Spain in their last appearance in 2008.

"I expected a tough match but maybe not that tough," said Ferrer, who made amends for losing his one singles match in the final at Mar del Plata three years ago. "I was nearly perfect, if not I wouldn't have won."

Ferrer's comeback looked unlikely after Del Potro took control in the second and third sets, with the former U.S. Open champion's booming forehand dictating many of the rallies. Of Del Potro's 71 total winners, 39 came from his forehand as the cold conditions favored the lanky Argentine's game.

But with Nadal and Spain's team willing him on, Ferrer capitalized on Del Potro's errors as the Argentine followed up one of his 10 aces with his fifth double-fault to take it to a decisive set.

The fifth-ranked Ferrer carried the momentum and the support of the majority of the 26,000 spectators into the decider, and broke in the fourth and sixth games for a 5-1 lead.

"We knew (Del Potro) was the best chance to give Argentina one point, and he was very close so we're disappointed," Argentina captain Tito Vazquez said.

Nadal returned to the comfort of clay after a disappointing performance at last week's ATP World Tour Finals in London, and his best play followed as he broke Monaco seven times.

Monaco struggled to repel Nadal as the Spaniard converted the first of 14 break chances with a forehand passing shot for a 2-1 lead.

Nadal's impressive selection of winners ? he hit 26 in all ? kept Monaco off-kilter during many long and remarkable rallies, including in the fourth game of the second set when Nadal curled a backhand down the line after repeatedly chasing down Monaco's forehand.

"I felt like I was playing well but, frankly, it's Rafa Nadal," said Monaco, playing in his first final against one of his best friends. "Where can you win a point off this kid, is what you're left wondering a lot of the time."

___

Paul Logothetis can be reached at: www.twitter.com/PaulLogoAP

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2011-12-02-TEN-Davis-Cup-Final/id-8261f1f8d74d48afae8b107b160c5f40

salvia cybermonday deals cybermonday deals steve johnson norman reedus norman reedus sears