Obama Worked to Distance Self From Blagojevich Early On  —  Like every other politician in Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich waited for Barack Obama's call this summer.  He told colleagues that he expected a speaking role at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, a nice bit of payback …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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:

DEM KNOCK ON CAROLINE  —  By FREDRIC U. DICKER IN ALBANY and MAGGIE HABERMAN IN NEW YORK  —  Attorney General Andrew Cuomo yesterday repeatedly refused to say whether Caroline Kennedy is fit to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate, while a top Clinton political ally insisted she's clearly not.

Pragmatism and evil  —  Chris Hayes offers up a must-read analysis of the Obama apparatchiks, the media stenographers, and acolytes of perceived wisdom who claim pragmatism has won out over ideology: … It's funny how that works.  I can remember in 2003 when the anti-war nutty left …

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 …

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.