Franken Gets Big Win At Canvass Board  —  Al Franken's chances of winning the Minnesota recount may have just gone up astronomically.  —  The state canvassing board just voted unanimously that absentee ballots that were initially rejected because of clerical errors — and the current estimate …

Emanuel: I'm Getting Death Threats Over Blagojevich Scandal  —  Obama's Chief of Staff Refuses to Go to Work Because of Media Stakeout  —  The President-elect's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, said today he won't go to the Chicago Presidential transition offices in order to avoid reporters seeking …

Chapter 11 is the right road for US carmakers  —  The debate about whether or not to bail out the Big Three carmakers has been mischaracterised.  It has been described as a package to help the undeserving dinosaurs of Detroit.  In fact, a plan to bail out the carmakers would benefit shareholders …

McCain Campaign Sells Info-Loaded Blackberry to FOX 5 Reporter  —  Exclusive FOX 5 Investigation  —  ARLINGTON, Va. - Private information at bargain prices.  It was a high-tech flub at the McCain-Palin campaign headquarters in Arlington when Fox 5's Investigative Reporter Tisha Thompson bought …

Rendell slams Obama over Blago  —  Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell today criticized Barack Obama for not being more upfront about the Illinois corruption scandal.  —  Now, he said, the story will continue to dominate the media's attention.  —  “They have never been in an executive position before …

The Pragmatist  —  In case you haven't heard, Barack Obama is a pragmatist.  Everybody agrees on this.  Joe Biden, accepting Obama's nod as VP at his unveiling event in Springfield, Illinois, called him a “clear-eyed pragmatist.”  Describing Obama's rise through Chicago politics …

Hale “Bonddad” Stewart: The Republicans Want A Depression  —  From the WSJ: … This is without a doubt one of the most insane gambits possible.  In case the Republicans have forgotten the general economic backdrop, let's rehash the facts.  According to the BLS:

Sorry, We're Booked, White House Tells Obamas  —  Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama met Barack Obama's campaign plane in Colorado on Nov. 1.  (Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times)  —  Updated |  3:12 p.m. CHICAGO—The White House has turned down a request from the family …

Madigan to court: Remove Blagojevich  —  Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan speaks at a news conference at the Thompson Center today.  (Tribune / Zbigniew Bzdak)  —  Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan called on the Illinois Supreme Court today to temporarily remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office …

PA-Sen: Specter shows weakness in primary and general  —  Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 12/8-10.  Likely voters.  MoE 4% for general election matchups, 5% for primary matchups (No trend lines) … Toomey is itching to go after Specter again after falling just short in 2004 …

Robin Toner, Times Reporter, Is Dead  —  Robin Toner, who was the first woman to be the national political correspondent of The New York Times and who had a significant hand in the coverage of five presidential elections, innumerable Congressional and gubernatorial campaigns …

Evangelical Leader Quits Over Gay Union Remark  —  A prominent evangelical lobbyist resigned yesterday over his remarks in a National Public Radio interview, in which he said he supports permitting same-sex civil unions.  —  The Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs …

Blagojevich chief of staff Harris resigns  —  John Harris resigned this morning as Gov. Rod Blagojevich's chief of staff, his lawyer said.  —  Harris dropped off his letter of resignation today in person and will not be going back to the office, according to his lawyer, Terry Ekl.

THOUGHTS ON THE BAILOUT FLAMEOUT  —  A few thoughts on this morning's news.  —  Not surprisingly, with this morning's news, we're getting more than a few emails arguing that the Democrats, in their new position of strength, should weaken or entirely do away with the filibuster — i.e. …

GOP warned to embrace technology or face ‘suicide’  —  (CNN) — When Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis decided to throw his hat in the ring to head the Republican Party, he announced his intentions on an unlikely forum: Twitter.  —  Not too long ago, the social networking Web site …

Ten Silver Stars for Afghan battle  —  10 Special Forces soldiers honored for seven-hour firefight with insurgents  —  WASHINGTON - After jumping out of helicopters at daybreak onto jagged, ice-covered rocks and into water at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the 12-man Special Forces team scrambled …

22 Pounds of UAW Rules and Regulations  —  Ever wondered what a UAW contract looks like?  Here is all 22 pounds of it (in this case, Ford's 2,215 page 2007 master contract; Coke can is for scale and because I was thirsty).  —  I'll tell you this much, those 2,215 pages don't include much regarding efficiency and competitiveness.