Matthews advised to quit MSNBC  —  Chris Matthews is dead serious about running for the Senate in Pennsylvania - and shopping for a house in the state and privately discussing quitting MSNBC as proof of his intense interest, according to NBC colleagues, political operatives and friends.

Suit contesting Barack Obama's citizenship heads to U.S. Supreme Court Friday  —  Justices will decide whether to consider the case  —  The U.S. Supreme Court will consider Friday whether to take up a lawsuit challenging President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. citizenship …

Looking for the Ideal Spot to Make a Speech  —  WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama's aides say he is considering making a major foreign policy speech from an Islamic capital during his first 100 days in office.  —  So where should he do it?  The list of Islamic world capitals is long …

Worries about next year  —  I've been ruminating over economic prospects for next year, and I'm getting scared.  —  Two points:  —  1. The economy is falling fast.  We'll see what tomorrow's employment report says, but we could well be losing jobs at a rate of 450,000 or 500,000 a month.

Why do Feinstein and Wyden sound much different on the torture issue now?  —  (updated below w/ statement from Sen. Wyden's office)  —  Time constraints prevented me yesterday from writing about Dianne Feinstein's comments concerning torture in yesterday's New York Times …

McCain Couldn't Compete With Obama's Money  —  America affirms Chicago's Golden Rule.  —  If money talks, we'll likely soon hear the real reason why Barack Obama beat John McCain.  Both men and the national parties will report to the Federal Election Commission today how much money they raised in October and November.

NBCU To Cut 500 Jobs, Layoffs Begin at NBC News Bureaus  —  Breaking: TVNewser has learned NBC Universal will be cutting up to 500 jobs in a round of layoffs which are now underway at all levels of the company — television, film and parks.  That amounts to about 3% of the workforce.

IDF preparing options for Iran strike  —  The IDF is drawing up options for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities that do not include coordination with the United States, The Jerusalem Post has learned.  —  While its preference is to coordinate with the US, defense officials have said Israel …

Becerra in Chicago to Meet with Obama About USTR Job  —  Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), who's a top candidate to be U.S. Trade Representative in the incoming administration, is in Chicago today to meet with President-elect Barack Obama to discuss the job.  Becerra, an eight-term congressman …

Say it Ain't So, Sarah, Another 30K?  —  The Republican National Committee is scheduled to file a campaign report with the Federal Election Commission Thursday disclosing that the committee spent additional funds to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

We need to stop using the bailouts to rebuild gigantic financial institutions.  —  Last month, as the financial crisis and the government rescue plan dominated headlines, almost everyone overlooked a news item that could have enormous long-term impact: GE Capital announced the acquisition …

U.S. to Raise ‘Irregular War’ Capabilities  —  The Pentagon this week approved a major policy directive that elevates the military's mission of “irregular warfare” — the increasingly prevalent campaigns to battle insurgents and terrorists, often with foreign partners and sometimes clandestinely …

UPDATED: Hutchison launches gubernatorial committee  —  Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison today launched a committee to explore a run for governor in 2010.  —  Hutchison's paperwork, filed at the Texas Ethics Commission, names Allan “Bud” Shivers Jr. of Austin as her campaign treasurer.  Fetch the one-pager here.

Silver Line To Dulles Wins Crucial Federal Okay  —  With Key Agency's Reversal, Final Approval Is Expected  —  Federal regulators have approved a long-awaited extension of Metrorail to Tysons Corner and Dulles International Airport, virtually assuring construction of a $5.2 billion project …

GG agrees to suspend Parliament until January  —  Decision gives Tories reprieve, prevents opposition from toppling government on Monday  —  Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has granted a request from Stephen Harper to suspend Parliament until late next month, the prime minister announced on Thursday …

Not Every Vote Counts  —  THE lizard people have eaten a vote in Beltrami County.  That's not so strange in a recount like the one underway in Minnesota — voters do all kinds of inexplicable things like inscribing “lizard people” in the write-in slot, as one did, invalidating his ballot.

Chambliss's Win in Georgia Shows Obama's Diminishing Coattails  —  Saxby Chambliss has won the Georgia runoff by a 57.4 percent-to-42.6 percent margin with 97 percent of precincts reporting.  That's a margin of 14.8 percentage points, far greater than the 49.8 percent-to-46.8 percent margin …

Hillary and the Constitution  —  Members of the Senate are not above the law.  —  What's a little matter like the Constitution among friends?  That's a question a few legal eagles are asking as they note that Hillary Clinton can't become Secretary of State thanks to something called the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.

U.A.W. Makes Concessions to Help Automakers  —  WASHINGTON — The United Automobile Workers union said Wednesday that it would make major concessions in its contracts with the three Detroit auto companies to help them lobby Congress for $34 billion in federal aid.