Blagojevich fundraiser held by Jackson allies Saturday  —  As Gov. Rod Blagojevich was trying to pick Illinois' next U.S. senator, businessmen with ties to both the governor and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. discussed raising at least $1 million for Blagojevich's campaign as a way to encourage …

‘THE PARTY OF HERBERT HOOVER’.... On Wednesday, Dick Cheney met with Senate Republicans and emphasized the importance of keeping the American automotive industry afloat.  “If we don't do this, we will be known as the party of Herbert Hoover forever,” the vice president said.

Statement by Press Secretary Dana Perino  —  It is disappointing that while appropriate and effective legislation to assist and restructure troubled automakers received majority support in both houses, Congress nevertheless failed to pass final legislation.  The approach in that legislation provided …

Powell lashes out at Palin: I'm from the South Bronx, 'and there's nothing wrong with my value system.'  —  In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria that will air this weekend, former Secretary of State Colin Powell sharply criticized the Republican party and its “value system,” taking particular aim at Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK):

Top Broker Accused of $50 Billion Fraud  —  Sons Turned In Madoff After He Allegedly Told Them His Investment-Advisory Business for the Wealthy Was ‘Giant Ponzi Scheme’  —  Bernard L. Madoff, a former chairman of the Nasdaq Stock Market and a force in Wall Street trading for nearly 50 years …

Madigan to court: Declare Blagojevich unfit  —  Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan filed a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court today aimed at removing Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office.  —  A spokesman for the state Supreme Court confirmed that Madigan filed the motion this morning.

The Real Obama  —  Barack Obama has garnered praise from center to right — and has highly irritated the left — with the centrism of his major appointments.  Because Obama's own beliefs remain largely opaque, his appointments have led to the conclusion that he intends to govern from the center.

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 …

What's Plan B?  —  Senate Republicans determined to block the $14 billion rescue package for Chrysler and General Motors have trotted out predictable rhetoric about the dangers of Big Government.  Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, warned on Thursday that …

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 …

Mich. Gov.: ‘Un-American’ to Vote Against Auto Bailout  —  Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) said it was “un-American” for Senators to have voted against approving a bailout of troubled automakers last night, saying their vote may cause a recession to become a depression.