Sources: McCain aide fired for ‘trashing’ staff  —  (CNN) — Randy Scheunemann, a senior foreign policy adviser to John McCain, was fired from the Arizona senator's campaign last week for what one aide called “trashing” the campaign staff, three senior McCain advisers tell CNN.

Dems lower expectations  —  Democratic leaders are tamping down on expectations for rapid change and trying to signal they will place a calm hand on the nation's tiller.  —  “The country must be governed from the middle,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday.

Obama Turns to Building Leadership Team  —  WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama offered the key post of White House chief of staff to Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the first step in building a team that is expected to take shape in coming days.  —  The quick transition from campaign …

‘Impeach Obama’ groups pop up on Facebook … Barack Obama has not even been sworn in yet as the 44th president of the United States but groups are springing up online calling for his impeachment.  —  On Facebook, an “Impeach Barack Obama” group has attracted more than 700 members …

Exit poll: Black voters back Calif. marriage ban  —  California's black and Latino voters, who turned out in droves for Barack Obama, provided key support for a state ban on same-sex marriage.  Christian, married and older voters also helped give the measure the winning edge, according to exit polls for The Associated Press.

How the President-Elect Did It  —  The new voters changed the game.  —  Intense and gripping, the 2008 election was also historic.  The son of a Kenyan immigrant and an American mother has risen to the presidency of history's most powerful nation.  Who was not moved by the sight …

Putin may return to Kremlin in '09: report  —  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev could resign from his post in 2009 to pave the way for Vladimir Putin to return to the Kremlin, Vedomosti newspaper reported on Thursday, citing an unidentified source close to the Kremlin.

Novak: 3 Million Vote Margin = Mandate For Bush; 7 Million For Obama = No Mandate  —  Despite resounding progressive victories last night, conservative pundits continue to repeat the myth of a conservative country.  Right-wing pundit Robert Novak climbed aboard the bandwagon …

For GOP, Boehner and chaos remain  —  As House Republicans assessed the wreckage after a second consecutive electoral bloodbath, this much was clear:  —  Members are willing to spare their leader, Ohio Rep. John A. Boehner.  His No. 2, Minority Whip Roy Blunt, might not be that lucky …

Guy Fawkes Day  —  Revellers celebrate Guy Fawkes Day.  In 1605 Fawkes unsuccessfully attempted to commit the infamous act of terror of blowing up King James I and the Houses of Parliament.  —  The English, among other talents, are adept at nurturing their grudges.

We Need Sustainable Capitalism  —  Nature does not do bailouts.  —  When greeting old friends after a period of absence, Ralph Waldo Emerson used to ask: “What has become clear to you since we last met?”  —  What is clear to us and many others is that market capitalism has arrived at a critical juncture.