Sarah Palin says she'll ‘plow through the door’ if there's an opening in 2012 or beyond  —  That gosh-darned mainstream media.  Can't live with 'em, can't campaign without 'em.  —  Less than a week after she and John McCain lost their bid for the White House, a combative Sarah Palin …

EXCLUSIVE: Gingrich, Steele duel privately for RNC job  —  A behind-the-scenes battle to take the reins of the Republican National Committee is taking off between former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele.  —  Neither man will acknowledge his interest in the post …

Georgia congressman warns of Obama dictatorship  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican congressman from Georgia said Monday he fears that President-elect Obama will establish a Gestapo-like security force to impose a Marxist or fascist dictatorship.  —  “It may sound a bit crazy and off base …

Obama to Explore New Approach in Afghanistan War  —  The incoming Obama administration plans to explore a more regional strategy to the war in Afghanistan — including possible talks with Iran — and looks favorably on the nascent dialogue between the Afghan government and “reconcilable” …

For South, a Waning Hold on National Politics  —  VERNON, Ala. — Fear of the politician with the unusual name and look did not end with last Tuesday's vote in this rural red swatch where buck heads and rifles hang on the wall.  This corner of the Deep South still resonates with negative feelings …

Video: MSNBC falls for Palin/Eisenstadt hoax  —  Specifically, this hoax.  I'd love to throw stones at them and TNR, but people on our own side were taken in too.  —  Guys?  The post at Shakespeare's Sister revealing the hoax is linked on the first page of the Google results for “Martin Eisenstadt.”

Darkness at Dusk  —  It's only been a week since the defeat, but the battle lines have already been drawn in the fight over the future of conservatism.  —  In one camp, there are the Traditionalists, the people who believe that conservatives have lost elections because they have strayed from the true creed.

Obama Asks Bush to Provide Help for Automakers  —  WASHINGTON — The struggling auto industry was thrust into the middle of a political standoff between the White House and Democrats on Monday as President-elect Barack Obama urged President Bush in a meeting at the White House to support immediate emergency aid.

Most affluent voters key to Obama sweep  —  Barack Obama promised he would lower taxes for 95 percent of Americans and presumably raise them for the 5 percent who benefited most under President Bush's tax policies.  But, remarkably, the most affluent 5 percent supported Obama and that was perhaps the key to his victory last week.

What's happening in Minnesota? part 4  —  The single most illuminating account of the shifting Coleman-Franken election results that I have found since the numbers started moving after 100 percent of precincts had reported Wednesday morning is this column by John Lott:

Venezuela Positions Itself as a Salon for the Left  —  CARACAS, Venezuela — The Nepalese Maoist smiled as he glanced around the lobby of the Hotel Alba Caracas.  To his left, West African delegates to the World Meeting of Intellectuals and Artists in Defense of Humanity chatted in French.

Stimulus math (wonkish)  —  I wrote this morning's column partly because I had a hunch that the Obama people might be thinking too small on stimulus.  Now I have more than a hunch - I've heard an unreliable rumor!  So let's talk about stimulus math, as I see it.  —  Actually, before I get to the math, some concepts.

Let the Infighting Begin  —  He won by being No Drama Obama.  Should he now stir some up?  —  The mau-mauing of Barack Obama officially began less than 24 hours after he won the White House, when National Organization for Women president Kim Gandy piped up about the possibility …

Obama May Ask Gates to Keep Post  —  WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama is leaning toward asking Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain in his position for at least a year, according to two Obama advisers.  A senior Pentagon official said Mr. Gates would likely accept the offer if it is made.

FIRST THOUGHTS: 43 MEETS 44  —  From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann  —  *** 43 meets 44: At 2:00 pm ET, the current president and first lady welcome the incoming president and first lady at the White House.  Then, minutes later, Bush and Obama will meet together.