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 …

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” …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST  —  John Hinderacker, arguably the most influential conservative blogger in the country ...  At the feet of masters.

Campaigns gear up for recounts, runoff  —  Nearly a week since Election Day, the fate of six House and Senate races remained unclear Monday as heated recounts and a runoff were underway in contested races across the country.  —  In Georgia, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) was gearing …

Don't Count Drudge Out  —  His demise is overreported once again.  —  At the beginning of the summer, the press considered the Drudge Report so influential that its proprietor, Matt Drudge, was thought to be in position to determine the fall election's results.

Airs Tuesday, November 11, at 9 pm  —  In the wake of yet another hard-fought and bitter presidential campaign, FRONTLINE presents a spirited and revealing biography of Lee Atwater, the charming, Machiavellian godfather of modern take-no-prisoners Republican political campaigns.

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.

Another AIG Resort “Junket”: Top Execs Caught on Tape  —  KNXV Discovers $343,000 Secret Gathering, AIG Signs and Logos Hidden  —  Even as the company was pleading the federal government for another $40 billion dollars in loans, AIG sent top executives to a secret gathering at a luxury resort in Phoenix last week.

ATTACK IRAN!  —  Without getting into the argument over what “Taqiya” actually is, I'm fascinated by the conservative attempt to make a simple concept — “lying” — sound much more sinister and essential by giving it an Islamic name, which sounds rather like one of the notes Jews blow on the Shofar.

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.

Take Some Political Risks  —  After two straight electoral defeats, it is time for a substantial party shake-up.  We don't need a feather duster; we need a fire hose.  —  We need to be honest about the root causes of our current financial crisis: loose money, crony capitalism and a lack of market transparency and information.

Obama-Clinton soap opera takes new turn  —  Michelle Obama wasn't always an admirer of Hillary Clinton, but last Wednesday the soon-to-be first lady dialed up the former first lady for pointers on protecting her two young daughters from the media maelstrom of the White House.

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.”