RNC asks Steele to replace Mehlman  —  Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, whose party just lost both chambers of Congress, will leave his position in January, and the post as party chief has been offered to Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele.

Mehlman likely to leave RNC  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Several Republican sources tell CNN that Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman is all but certain to step down at the end of the year, and the White House already is searching for a replacement or replacements to lead the party into the 2008 presidential campaign cycle.

CNN tells YouTube to pull down video outing GOP party head Ken Mehlman  —  I just got a cease-and-desist letter from YouTube, see below, regarding my CNN footage I posted.  The footage, you'll recall, was from Larry King Live last night in which Bill Maher outed Republican Party chair Ken Mehlman as gay.

Mehlman to step down from RNC post  —  WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, whose party lost both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, will step down from his post when his two-year term ends in January, GOP officials said Thursday.

LINCOLN CHAFEE OPPOSING JOHN BOLTON OFFICIALLY: BOLTON CONFIRMATION PROCESS DEAD, DEAD, DEAD  —  Word has just reached me from a well-placed source that the White House has continued to push John Bolton's confirmation prospects as US Ambassador to the United Nations despite the election outcome.

Bush makes push for approval of UN envoy Bolton  —  President George W. Bush will make a push to get confirmation for John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations before power in Congress shifts to the Democrats, the White House said on Thursday.  —  The White House formally renewed …

Bush to Ask Lame Duck Congress to Confirm Gates  —  The White House said today that it would seek Senate confirmation of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's successor in the lame duck Congress that is about to reconvene, and that it would seek confirmation of United Nations Ambassador John R. Bolton as well.

Webb promises 'diplomatic solution' in Iraq  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Less than an hour after Virginia Republican Sen. George Allen conceded and the U.S. Senate was handed to the Democrats, Jim Webb addressed a cheering crowd.  —  Before he spoke, Webb waved a pair of combat boots in the air …

Sen. Allen concedes defeat in Virginia  —  ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Republican Sen. George Allen (news, bio, voting record) gracefully conceded defeat Thursday after a bruising battle against Democrat Jim Webb, sealing the Democrats' control of Congress and the political downfall of a man once considered a White House contender.