Even Dr. Doom Likes Them  —  Renowned economic pessimist Nouriel Roubini approves of Obama's picks, but they face grave challenges ahead.  —  President-elect Barack Obama's administration's reaction to the current economy would have to be, in his words, “swift and bold.”

For Collins, forgiveness may be tough  —  The tactics used by Democrats to secure at least 58 Senate seats may have damaged their chances of winning vital support from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in key votes in the 111th Congress.  —  Collins told colleagues at a small Senate prayer breakfast meeting …

Palin to hit campaign trail in Georgia  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will make multiple campaign appearances on behalf of Sen. Saxby Chambliss next week in Georgia, serving as the political closer for the GOP senator who is battling to win a second term.

Saving Citi May Create More Fear  —  One bailout was not enough for Citigroup.  And it may not be enough for other big banks.  —  While Citigroup's second multibillion-dollar rescue from Washington hit Wall Street like a shot of adrenaline on Monday, many analysts worried that the jolt would soon wear off.

Obama's threat to Catholic hospitals and their very serious counterthreat.  —  When I saw the Catholic bishops had declared war on President-elect Obama at their semiannual meeting in Baltimore two weeks ago, my first reaction was pique: Gosh, guys, it isn't even parade day yet, and here you are, all dressed up and ready to rain on it.

The Congressman, the Donor and the Tax Break  —  Representative Charles B. Rangel has helped raise $11 million for a City College of New York school of public service to be named in his honor.  In recent months, as questions have emerged about his fund-raising, he has insisted that he has kept …

Injured veterans engaged in new combat  —  In a little-noticed regulation change, the Pentagon's definition of combat-related disabilities is narrowed, costing some wounded veterans thousands of dollars in lost benefits.  —  Marine Cpl. James Dixon was wounded twice in Iraq — by a roadside bomb and a land mine.

THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST.  —  “Isn't it amazing,” asks Krugman, “just how impressive the people being named to key positions in the Obama administration seem?  Bye-bye hacks and cronies, hello people who actually know what they're doing.  For a bunch of people who were written off …

Why Don't We Hang Pirates Anymore?  —  It's a safe bet, dear reader, that the title of this column has caused you to either (a) roll your eyes and wonder, What century do you think we're living in? or (b) scratch your head and ask, Yes, why don't we?  Wherever you come down …

RUSSIAN ANALYST PREDICTS DECLINE AND BREAKUP OF USA  —  A leading Russian political analyst has said the economic turmoil in the United States has confirmed his long-held view that the country is heading for collapse, and will divide into separate parts.  —  Professor Igor Panarin …

Claremont parents clash over kindergarten Thanksgiving costumes  —  Some say having students dress up as pilgrims and Native Americans is ‘demeaning.’ Their opponents say they are elitists injecting politics into a simple children's celebration.  —  For decades, Claremont kindergartners …

WE HEAR . . . WE HEAR  —  THAT although we didn't think it would be pos sible to silence Ann Coulter, the leggy reaction- ary broke her jaw and the mouth that roared has been wired shut . . . THAT the Tel Aviv Hilton was abuzz Saturday with the arrival of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock …

How Obama's Local Buys Added Up  —  Nielsen's final look at ad buys by the 2008 Presidential candidates proved one famous mantra: politics really are local.  —  President-elect Barack Obama placed 155% more spot TV ads than John McCain during the general election season (6/08 to 11/08) …

Why Permanent Tax Cuts Are the Best Stimulus  —  Short-term fiscal policies fail to promote long-term growth.  —  The incoming Obama administration and congressional Democrats are now considering a second fiscal stimulus package, estimated at more than $500 billion, to follow the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.

For release at 8:15 a.m. EST  —  The Federal Reserve announced on Tuesday that it will initiate a program to purchase the direct obligations of housing-related government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)—Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks—and mortgage-backed securities …

Florida ban on gay adoptions ruled unconstitutional  —  Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman Tuesday declared Florida's 30-year-old ban on gay adoptions unconstitutional — a ruling state lawyers immediately said they would challenge.  —  The ruling sets the stage for Frank Gill …

Bettors Beat Pundits  —  We debated the merits of collective wisdom earlier this year, after the bettors in the the Intrade online prediction market wrongly picked Barack Obama to win the New Hampshire primary.  The bettors are looking more savvy now that the election's over and the last undecided state …

Big Bailouts, Bigger Bucks  —  Whenever I discussed the current bailout situation with people, I find they have a hard time comprehending the actual numbers involved.  That became a problem while doing the research for the Bailout Nation book.  I needed some way to put this into proper historical perspective.

Repeaters  —  The Campaign Finance Institute is out with a study, which it calls a “reality check” and says dramatically undermines the notion that Obama's campaign was driven by small donors.  —  “The myth is that money from small donors dominated Barack Obama's finances,” said CFI's executive director Michael J. Malbin.