Report Sounds Alarm on Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction  —  The odds that terrorists will soon strike a major city with weapons of mass destruction are now better than even, a bipartisan congressionally mandated task force concludes in a draft study that warns of growing threats from rogue states …

Pardon Is Back in Focus for the Justice Nominee  —  WASHINGTON — In the much praised career of Eric H. Holder Jr., President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be attorney general, there is one notable blemish: Mr. Holder's complicated role in the 2001 pardon of Marc Rich, a billionaire financier …

The Sovereignty Dodge  —  What Pakistan Won't Do, the World Should  —  “We don't think the world's great nations and countries can be held hostage by non-state actors,” Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said yesterday.  Fair enough.  But what is the world to do when those non-state actors operate …

Gregory to host ‘Meet the Press’  —  NBC News plans to name David Gregory as moderator of “Meet the Press,” infusing one of television's most prized franchises with a sharp edge leavened by a youthful style and versatility, according to network executives.  —  Gregory, 38, celebrated …

49 days to Inauguration — Obama offers ‘hand of friendship and cooperation’ to Republican governors — David Gregory to be named moderator of ‘Meet the Press’  —  The billion-dollar man: Team Obama has helped raise more than $900m — Nancy Cordes will be CBS News congressional correspondent - Anniversary today: Autumn and Jim VandeHei

Automakers' plans due today  —  Today's the deadline for the Big Three automakers to send their restructuring plans to Congress as they attempt to get a $25 billion taxpayer bailout they say they need to avoid insolvency.  —  Congress requested the plans after the chief executive officers of Ford …

Gates's Top Deputies May Leave  —  Major Shifts at Pentagon Anticipated in Obama Administration  —  Although President-elect Barack Obama's decision to keep Robert M. Gates at the helm of the Pentagon will provide a measure of continuity for a military fighting two wars …

A Rush for Clinton's Senate Seat  —  N.Y. Governor Is Silent for Now About Any Early Favorites  —  The nomination of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to be secretary of state in the Obama administration has set off an intense political scramble in New York for a cherished prize: her soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat.

Palin Does Georgia: What Does It Mean?  —  PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — As the Fix prepared to head back east to the frigid and snowy east (booo!) yesterday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was barnstorming the state of Georgia on behalf of Sen. Saxby Chambliss, whose political fate hangs in the balance of today's runoff.

Murkowski to Palin: Leave my seat alone  —  Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has some Republican-to-Republican advice for Gov. Sarah Palin: If you want to make a run at the White House, keep your hands off my Senate seat.  —  Murkowski, up for reelection in 2010, is nervously awaiting word …

Economic Signs Point to Longer, Deeper Recession  —  Decline Began a Year Ago, Experts Declare; Wall Street Reacts With Huge Sell-Off  —  The U.S. economy entered a recession one year ago, a group of the nation's leading economists said yesterday, and new evidence that the downturn will be deep …

Federal Reserve Policies in the Financial Crisis  —  It is a privilege for me to be here in Texas, and I would like to thank the Austin Chamber for hosting this luncheon.  The Texas economy is strong and diversified, accounting for more than a trillion dollars of output last year.

Lieberman now praising Obama  —  Sen. Joe Lieberman, the maverick lawmaker from Connecticut, has praised President-elect Barack Obama's national security team after criticizing Obama's ability to lead during wartime earlier this year.  —  Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent …

Afghan Strategy Poses Stiff Challenge for Obama  —  WASHINGTON — One of the most difficult challenges President-elect Barack Obama's national security team faces is Mr. Obama's vow to send thousands of American troops to help defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Fiscal Policy Puzzles  —  As a student of Alan Blinder, Larry Summers, and Stanley Fischer, I was trained to view the short-run effects of fiscal policy through the lens of Keynesian macroeconomic theory.  I am sure that many of the economists in the new Obama administration share that intellectual framework.

Franken May Ask Senate to Intervene in Minn. Recount  —  Democrat Al Franken's campaign said Monday that as many as 1,000 absentee ballots were improperly disqualified in Minnesota's Senate race, and that it may appeal to courts or the U.S. Senate to order that those ballots be counted.

Broader medical refusal rule may go far beyond abortion  —  The Bush administration plans a new ‘right of conscience’ rule that would allow more workers to refuse more procedures.  Critics say it could apply to artificial insemination and birth control.  —  Reporting from Washington …

Limbaugh calls Obama's selection of Clinton ‘a brilliant stroke’  —  (CNN) — Rush Limbaugh seems to have given Hillary Clinton his stamp of approval for the second time this year.  —  The conservative talk show host — who urged supporters during the primary season to back Clinton in an effort …

NO MANDATE FOR LIBERAL-NDP-SEPARATIST BACKROOM COALITION  —  On October 14, 2008 Canadians rendered a clear judgment in the Federal Election.  —  Stephen Harper and the Conservatives promised strong, certain leadership to protect Canada's future in a time of unprecedented turmoil.