No Clamoring for Palin to Become a National Political Figure  —  But she enjoys support of three-quarters of Republicans  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Just 45% of Americans would like to see Sarah Palin become a major national political figure for many years to come, while a slight majority of 52% say they would not.

Obama's plans for probing Bush torture  —  WASHINGTON — With growing talk in Washington that President Bush may be considering an unprecedented “blanket pardon” for people involved in his administration's brutal interrogation policies, advisors to Barack Obama are pressing ahead with plans …

Facing Obama, Iran Suddenly Hedges on Talks  —  Since 2006, Iran's leaders have called for direct, unconditional talks with the United States to resolve international concerns over their nuclear program.  But as an American administration open to such negotiations prepares to take power …

Transition Rumor Patrol: Political Office, Daschle's Role, Clinton For SoS?  —  The rumors percolating through Washington and an attempt to set the record straight.  —  Rumor: President-elect Barack Obama's White House will include a political affairs office.

The RNC Throws A Pie In John McCain's Face  —  Nine days after the election, the Republican National Committee is no longer interested in being friends with their nominee.  —  They've filed suit today in courts in Louisiana and Washington, D.C. claiming that the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act …

An awkward press conference  —  After much anticipation from a room full of reporters and other curiosity-seekers, Sarah Palin this morning took four questions from reporters in a press conference that lasted 11 minutes.  —  Actually, taking away Texas Gov. Rick Perry's opening statement, the session lasted under 10 minutes.

History Favors Republicans in 2010  —  The 2008 election numbers are not as stark as the results.  —  Political races are about candidates and issues.  But election results, in the end, are about numbers.  So now that the dust is settling on the 2008 presidential race, what do the numbers tell us?

Tolerance fails T-shirt test  —  Catherine Vogt, 14, conducted an experiment in political tolerance at her Oak Park middle school and learned some valuable lessons.  (Tribune photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo / November 12, 2008)  —  As the media keeps gushing on about how America has finally adopted tolerance …

EXCLUSIVE: Did Next Commander-in-Chief Falsify Selective Service Registration?  Never Actually Register?  Obama's Draft Registration Raises Serious Questions  —  By Debbie Schlussel  —  **** Copyright 2008, Must Cite Debbie Schlussel and link to DebbieSchlussel.com ****  —  *** SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE ***

Obama Team Faces Major Task in Justice Dept. Overhaul  —  Goal Is to Restore Confidence in Law Enforcement Actions  —  As a transition team for the Obama administration begins work on a Justice Department overhaul, the key question is where to begin.  —  Political considerations affected every crevice …

Obama will resign Senate seat Sunday  —  President-elect Barack Obama said today he will step down from his Senate seat effective this Sunday.  —  The decision adds to the pressure on Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Democrat, who under state law has the sole responsibility for naming a successor to Obama …

MSNBC retracts false Palin story; others duped  —  NEW YORK (AP) — MSNBC was the victim of a hoax when it reported that an adviser to John McCain had identified himself as the source of an embarrassing story about former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the network said Wednesday.

Gore says no to ‘Climate Czar’ role  —  President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is flirting with creating a White House “Climate Czar,” but climate change crusader Al Gore says he doesn't want the job.  —  The Obama team declined to comment on such a post, even as environmentalists …

O'Reilly Factor: Dennis Miller's Homophobic Joke About Barney Frank  —  Dennis Miller appeared on The O'Reilly Factor tonight (Miller is a frequent guest on Bill O'Reilly's show) and went on a rant regarding what Barack Obama should do to the executives of AIG when he takes office, namely …

8,000 Beduin stake their claim as the lost tribe of Barack Obama  —  A sheikh in Galilee says he has evidence that he and his family are linked by blood to the new President  —  He has a host of relatives in exotic locations from Hawaii to Kenya, and during his run for the American presidency …

Gingrich says GOP is outmatched  —  How bad off is the Republican Party right now?  Ask Newt Gingrich.  —  “The Republican Party right now is like a midsize college team trying to play in the Superbowl,” Gingrich told me Wednesday.  “It is pretty hard to say our losses were because of John McCain's campaign.

Obama's Call for Community Service Is Not Marxism  —  It's not “slavery” either — and the comparison insults one's intelligence.  —  Is community service synonymous with slavery?  Whether that service is mandated or suggested, could it in any way be construed as enslaving citizens?

After Taking Some Shots, She Fires Back  —  Palin Aims at Detractors In Remaking Her Image  —  Sarah Palin is fighting back against the “jerks.”  —  Cooking moose chili and slicing sandwiches for Matt Lauer and Greta Van Susteren, chatting up Larry King and Wolf Blitzer …

A Labor Leader for Labor Secretary?  —  Andy Stern has an answer for those who are floating his name at the top of a list of potential labor secretaries: Thanks, but no thanks.  —  Mr. Stern, perhaps the nation's most visible labor leader, is president of the Service Employees International Union …

Washington's $5 Trillion Tab  —  Fighting the financial crisis has put the U.S. on the hook for some $5 trillion a report says.  So far.  —  For all the fury over Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's $700 billion emergency economic relief fund, it seems downright puny when compared …

Calif. Speaker's solution for state deficit: U.S. taxpayers chip in billions  —  Not that many people outside of California care, but according to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state faces a nearly $25 billion budget deficit.  —  As the rich man that he is, the former movie star favors …

Theater Director Resigns Amid Gay-Rights Ire  —  SACRAMENTO — The artistic director of the California Musical Theater, a major nonprofit producing company here in the state's capital, resigned on Wednesday in the face of growing outrage over his support for a ballot measure this month that outlawed same-sex marriage in California.