Bill Richardson: What I've Learned  —  The just-tapped Secretary of Commerce shares intimate new stories on how Barack Obama saved his ass before he became his boss, Saddam Hussein's guile, Bush's charm, racial politics and more.  —  After the campaign, I grew a beard as a rebellion …

Franken Camp's Claim: We're Now Ahead!  —  In a briefing going on right now with reporters, Al Franken's lead recount lawyer Marc Elias made a stunning announcement: According to the campaign's methodology of tracking the recount results, they believe Al Franken now leads Norm Coleman by a margin of 22 votes.

Chambliss: Palin ‘allowed us to peak’  —  Fresh off his runoff victory Tuesday night, Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss credited Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with firing up his base.  —  “I can't overstate the impact she had down here,” Chambliss said during an interview Wednesday morning on Fox News.

Bushes Planning a Move to Dallas  —  ABC News Ann Compton Reports: President and Laura Bush are moving to Dallas once they leave the White House, the First Lady said on Wednesday.  —  Laura Bush confirmed that she and the President are buying a house in Dallas, about two hours from his beloved Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Campbell Brown: Sexism sneaks in over open mic  —  Editor's note: Campbell Brown anchors CNN's “Campbell Brown: No Bias, No Bull” at 8 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays.  She delivered this commentary during the “Cutting through the Bull” segment of Tuesday night's broadcast.

Judicial Watch Announces Hillary Clinton Constitutionally Ineligible to Serve as Secretary of State  —  Ineligibility Clause of Constitution Prohibits Clinton Appointment  —  Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption …

Obama Gives Political Ambassadors Their Pink Slips  —  The incoming Obama administration has notified all politically-appointed ambassadors that they must vacate their posts as of Jan. 20, the day President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office, a State Department official said.

Against Soft Power  —  Via Michael Chertoff is making sense: … I might note that draconian security rules and visa policies are not helpful in this regard, something Chertoff might want to consider.  Foreigners don't like being treated as if there's a presumption that citizens …

Novak: 'I Don't Think I Hurt Valerie Plame' And I Would Out Her Again Because The Left ‘Tried To Ruin Me’  —  During a recent interview with the National Ledger, conservative columnist Robert Novak was asked if he would reveal Valerie Plame Wilson's secret CIA identity if he could go back and do it all over again.

Newt Gingrich Hasn't Gotten The Memo  —  Michelle Goldberg is the author of Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism.  Her new book, The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World, will be published in April by Penguin Press.  —  As I was walking out the door yesterday evening, the phone rang.

Bill Clinton eyes role, too  —  Former President Bill Clinton says he is open to the possibility of a role in the Obama administration but said he otherwise plans to be deferential to both the president and Clinton's wife, the soon-to-be secretary of state.  —  Clinton could be named as a sort …

Mandate Watch: Obama Backs Off Promise to Pass Windfall Profits Tax on Big Oil  —  Good news and bad news in the last day.  The good news: Barack Obama has appointed a NAFTA critic, Rep. Xavier Becerra, as the next U.S. Trade Representative (more on that here).  The bad news is this just off the Reuters wire:

Obama Team Restates Strong Support For Union Bill  —  An aide to Barack Obama reaffirmed the President-elect's support for the labor movement's chief legislative priority in a one-word statement issued to the Huffington Post on late Tuesday.  —  Asked if Obama's support …

College May Become Unaffordable for Most in U.S.  —  The rising cost of college — even before the recession — threatens to put higher education out of reach for most Americans, according to the annual report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

Jeb: I am considering Senate run  —  Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush - the younger brother of the president - is weighing a run for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Mel Martinez.  —  Martinez announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2010.

Federal Prosecutor Is Making Inquiries in the Investigation of the Dismissal of 9 U.S. Attorneys in 2006  —  A prosecutor who is investigating the dismissals of nine U.S. attorneys has been meeting with defense lawyers, dispatching subpoenas and seeking information about the events, according to legal sources familiar with the case.