EXCLUSIVE Interview With Sarah Palin  —  “Thank you, sir.  It is an honor to be named your “Conservative of the Year.'”  —  That's how Sarah Palin began her third interview this year with HUMAN EVENTS Political Editor John Gizzi.  She spoke to Gizzi last April as the first of 16 Republicans …

A Special Note Re: Third Way  —  This is Jennifer Palmieri, acting CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.  —  Most readers know that the views expressed on Matt's blog are his own and don't always reflect the views of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Editors' Note  —  Earlier this morning, we posted a letter that was signed by Bertrand Delanoe, the mayor of Paris, sharply criticizing Caroline Kennedy.  —  This letter was a fake.  It should not have been published.  —  Doing so violated both our standards and our procedures in publishing signed letters from our readers.

Five found guilty of plotting to kill Fort Dix soldiers  —  (CNN) — A jury has found five men guilty of conspiring to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, New Jersey, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office said Monday.  —  The defendants were acquitted of attempted murder charges but face life in prison.

For Conservative Radio, It's a New Dawn, Too  —  Amid all the pressures on the radio industry, news-talk stations see an opportunity — and his name is Barack Obama.  —  After eight years of playing defense for President Bush, the conservatives who dominate talk radio are back on offense.

Sweet Bailout  —  Looks to me like the $700 billion rescue package may have been $1.6 billion too large: … A lot of people are going to read this as a confirmation of the Sirota/Pence view that government intervention was unnecessary.  I don't see it that way.

Life Without Bubbles  —  Whatever the new administration does, we're in for months, perhaps even a year, of economic hell.  After that, things should get better, as President Obama's stimulus plan — O.K., I'm told that the politically correct term is now “economic recovery plan” — begins to gain traction.

Newspaper Shuns Web, and Thrives  —  With 2008 drawing to a brutal close on the media beat — bankruptcies, daily newspapers that are no longer daily, magazines that are downsizing into brochures — a little ray of light appeared in my e-mail inbox.  It was from a newspaper owner, of all people.

Krugman in contact with the Obama team?  —  Yes.  —  When master economist, columnist, and plain ole intellectual (so few left these days) Paul Krugman was asked this morning* about whether or not he was “in communications” with the Obama administration regarding the economy, he declared …

Developers Ask U.S. for Bailout  —  With a record amount of commercial real-estate debt coming due, some of the country's biggest property developers have become the latest to go hat-in-hand to the government for assistance.  —  They're warning policymakers that thousands of office complexes …

Poll finds public split on Obama aides' contacts with Blagojevich  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — A new national poll indicates Americans are split on whether aides to President-elect Barack Obama did something inappropriate in their contacts with embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Biden: I'll be different vice president  —  (CNN) — In an interview with CNN's Larry King that will air at 9 p.m. ET Monday, Vice President-elect Joseph Biden discussed what role he will play in decision-making at the White House.  Biden also said the U.S. will remove combat troops from Iraq within two years.

Toyota Expects Its First Loss in 70 Years  —  TOKYO — Toyota Motor, the Japanese auto giant, announced Monday that it expected the first loss in 70 years in its core vehicle-making business, underscoring how the economic crisis is spreading across the global auto industry.

Where'd the bailout money go?  Shhhh, it's a secret  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON - It's something any bank would demand to know before handing out a loan: Where's the money going?  —  But after receiving billions in aid from U.S. taxpayers …

Inauguration Day Crowd Estimate Reduced by Half  —  Officials are casting doubt on an early projection that 4 million to 5 million people could jam downtown Washington on Inauguration Day, saying it is more likely that the crowd will be about half that size.

Mika Brzezinski, Letting Her Opinions Percolate on ‘Morning Joe’ and the Radio  —  Mika Brzezinski doesn't mince words about what happened when CBS dropped her as a correspondent two years ago.  —  “Nobody wanted me,” she says.  “I spent a year looking for a job.

Barney Frank has post-partisan depression  —  Barney Frank, in a typically colorful turn on MSNBC today, said that Pastor Rick Warren's recent meeting with representatives of the Muslim faith has not warmed him to the prospect of Warren offering the invocation at Obama's inauguration.

Fundraiser seeks immunity in Blagojevich probe  —  Blagojevich allegedly pressured ‘Individual D’ for cash to pick Jackson  —  A key figure in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's alleged scheme to sell a U.S. Senate seat has sought immunity from federal authorities in return for his cooperation in their ongoing probe, the Tribune has learned.

With Stevens's Fall, a Lobbyist Pipeline Shuts Off  —  WASHINGTON — Until recently, there were few better ways to start a lobbying career than by leaving the office of Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska.  —  With 40 years of seniority on important Senate committees, Mr. Stevens, a Republican …

Popularity Isn't Everything  —  O.K., O.K. ...  you don't have to.  But consider this exchange with Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday”:  —  WALLACE: Did you really tell Senator Leahy, bleep yourself?  —  CHENEY: I did.  —  WALLACE: Any qualms, or second thoughts, or embarrassment?