Sarah Palin Defends Herself Against Criticism in FOX News Interview  —  FOX News' Greta Van Susteren is in Alaska to get Gov. Sarah Palin's reflections on the presidential election.  —  FOXNews.com  —  After a whirlwind campaign alongside Sen. John McCain, Sarah Palin is defending herself …

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.”

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 Wants Lieberman To Remain In Democratic Caucus  —  President-elect Barack Obama has informed party officials that he wants Joe Lieberman to continue caucusing with the Democrats in the 111th Congress, Senate aides tell the Huffington Post.  —  Obama's decision could tie the hands …

Obamas Make Symbolic Visit to Future Home: White House  —  Barack Obama visited the White House yesterday for a long and cordial meeting with the man he will succeed, setting aside two years of withering criticism of President Bush's record to discuss the economy and tour the presidential living quarters.

Minnesota Ripe for Election Fraud  —  Minnesota is becoming to 2008 politics what Florida was in 2000 or Washington State in 2006 — a real mess.  The outcome will determine whether Democrats get 58 members of the U.S. Senate, giving them an effective filibuster-proof vote on many issues.

Alaska Update: Thousands of Ballots ‘Found’, One-Third Remain Uncounted in the State's Still-Fishy '08 Election  —  This just in from Alaska, where thousands of new ballots continue to be found each day, since it was first reported that turnout in 2008 was 11% lower than in 2004.

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 …

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 …

Pentagon board says cuts essential  —  Tells Obama to slash large weapons programs  —  WASHINGTON - A senior Pentagon advisory group, in a series of bluntly worded briefings, is warning President-elect Barack Obama that the Defense Department's current budget is “not sustainable,” …

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.

Starbucks 4Q profit drops 97 pct on closure costs  —  Starbucks 4th-quarter profit falls 97 percent on costs for closing stores, slow US sales  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Fewer U.S. customers and venti-sized costs for closing poorly performing stores led to lower sales and profit in the fourth quarter …

It's on: Gingrich versus Michael Steele for RNC chair  —  A follow-up to Ed's post from earlier today: The Washington Times spies a gathering storm. … I'm partial to Newt just because he seems at times to be the only man left in the party with any new policy ideas, but you can't go wrong either way.

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.

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.

Aloha State Moves to the A-List  —  Obama's Birthplace Sees Rush for Tickets To Inaugural Ball  —  Forget the cowboy hat.  Throw on a lei.  —  The Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball — the first one ever — is suddenly the hottest ticket in town, replacing the Texas Black Tie and Boots ball …

White House to Establish Office of Urban Policy  —  The intense back-stabbing amongst Democrats for top jobs in the Obama administration assumes there are a fixed number of jobs worth having.  But it's looking likely that some extremely choice, even consequential, jobs are going to be created by the new administration.