For immediate release  —  The Federal Open Market Committee has decided to lower its target for the federal funds rate 75 basis points to 3-1/2 percent.  —  The Committee took this action in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth.

Clinton, Edwards hold private post-debate meeting  —  MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) — What were they talking about?  —  Hillary Clinton and John Edwards met privately backstage following a very contentious Democratic presidential debate in this coastal city, sources with both campaigns confirm to CNN.

The Voters Revolt  —  The Reagan administration had its pragmatists and its so-called ideologues.  It had James Baker as well as Ed Meese.  Reagan carried moderate states like Connecticut, Wisconsin and Washington, as well as conservative ones like Wyoming and South Carolina.

Someone Didn't Get The Word  —  Fareed Zakaria: … Ah, those sad, sad, Democrats.  So unaware that the war's over.  The dude who killed at least fourteen and wounded seventeen in Tikrit must, like the Democrats, have been wearing partisan blinders when he failed to acknowledge the surge's success in bringing the war to an end.

Fred Out of Thursday's Debate; Doesn't Plan on Endorsing  —  I spoke to one of my Thompson sources.  —  He's still with his ailing mother.  “He's just being a good son."  —  He has not spoken to any other campaign or any other candidates, nor does he intend to at this time.

Mystery in Brooklyn: Bomb factory at Columbia University professor's home  —  The NY Daily News reports today on a disturbing discovery at a Columbia University instructor's home: … Clatts cannot be located.  Who is he? … The NYTimes reports on a bizarre twist in the case …

Pre-emptive nuclear strike ‘an option’  —  The west must be ready to resort to a pre-emptive nuclear attack to try to halt the “imminent” spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, according to a radical manifesto for a new Nato by five of the west's most senior military officers and strategists.

Attorneys probe deepens  —  The federal investigation into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys could jolt the political landscape ahead of the November elections, according to several people close to the inquiry.  —  Washington's attention has been diverted from the scandal since …

Huckabee Broke  —  Less than a month after a huge upset victory, and promises that fundraising would be ramped up, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is asking his senior staff to keep working for him without pay, while lower level campaign staff are seeing their salaries cut dramatically or eliminated altogether.

What's Gotten Into Bill?  —  Six months ago, Bill Clinton seemed to be settling comfortably into roles befitting a silver-maned former president: statesman, philanthropist, philosopher-king.  Now he has put all that high-mindedness on hold — maybe it was never such a great fit, after all …

Bill Clinton May Get Payout of $20 Million  —  Former President Clinton stands to reap around $20 million — and will sever a politically sensitive partnership tie to Dubai — by ending his high-profile business relationship with the investment firm of billionaire friend Ron Burkle.

Miss Utah “GI Jill” Stevens Needs Your Help  —  “Obviously she is bright and attractive, but most important, she's a terrific soldier.” … Miss Utah “GI Jill” Stevens needs your vote to help her win Miss America in Atlantic City this Saturday, January 26, 2008.

Why Should We Shut Up?  —  BEGIN TRANSCRIPT  —  RUSH: One closing thought from the previous hour: I'm noticing this in a lot of conservative media.  Those of us who are opposing these McCain... Let me set this up a better way.  When Huckabee was coming out of nowhere in Iowa …