More oddities in the U.S. “debate” over Israel/Gaza  —  (updated below - Update II)  —  This Rasmussen Reports poll — the first to survey American public opinion specifically regarding the Israeli attack on Gaza — strongly bolsters the severe disconnect I documented the other day between …

Aides: Democrats have plan if Burris shows up  —  (CNN) — Senate Democratic leaders think Roland Burris, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's pick to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, will likely show up on Capitol Hill Tuesday for the opening day of Congress …

Signing Off — Farewell, TPMers  —  I can't believe I'm writing this, but for the foreseeable future this is my last post at TPM.  —  I'm heading over to The Washington Post, where I'll be writing the lead blog on a new site that WaPo is launching.  This will drive you mad with curiosity …

Sources: Bennet will be Colorado's new senator  —  Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Bennet is expected to be named Saturday as the future U.S. Senate replacement for Interior Secretary nominee Ken Salazar, according to two Democratic sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Cornyn promises filibuster on Franken seating  —  Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) threatened Friday to filibuster any attempt to seat Democratic Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken next week.  —  The newly minted National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chairman said he had not whipped votes …

9 Muslim Passengers Removed From Jet  —  Others on Flight Say a Remark Was ‘Suspicious’  —  Officials ordered nine Muslim passengers, including three young children, off an AirTran flight headed to Orlando from Reagan National Airport yesterday afternoon after two other passengers overheard what they thought was a suspicious remark.

HAPPY #*%!  NEW YEAR TO YOU, TOO!  —  COMIC KATHY LASHES OUT AT HECKLER ON CNN  —  Comedienne Kathy Griffin may be doomed to life on CNN's S-list after answering a heckler with a shrieking, vulgar tirade during the network's live New Year's Eve broadcast.  —  “Screw you,” she told the heckler.

Obama: Don't Ask Me No Questions  —  Just for fun, a brief year in review of Obama's legendary new openness and transparency with the press corps:

Some Conservatives Fear Obama Advisers Lean Too Far Left  —  To Some Conservatives, Advisers Are Alarmingly Liberal  —  To some staunch conservatives watching President Bush relinquish the reins of power to President-elect Barack Obama, a few too many ardent liberals are now crashing the gates.

Bigger Than Bush  —  As the new Democratic majority prepares to take power, Republicans have become, as Phil Gramm might put it, a party of whiners.  —  Some of the whining almost defies belief.  Did Alberto Gonzales, the former attorney general, really say, “I consider myself a casualty …

The Senate Goes Wobbly on Card Check  —  It's hard to defend taking away the secret ballot.  —  Responsibility has a way of focusing the mind.  —  Take Mark Pryor, Democratic senator from Arkansas.  In 2007, Mr. Pryor voted to move card check, Big Labor's No. 1 priority.  And why not?

SEC Said to Examine More Ponzi Schemes After Madoff  —  A A A  —  Jan. 2 (Bloomberg) — U.S. regulators working to untangle Bernard Madoff's alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme are probing other money managers suspected of using similar tactics, two people with knowledge of the inquiries said.

Governor may be leaning toward Kennedy  —  Two people close to Paterson tell AP they believe she'll be his choice  —  ALBANY, N.Y. - Officials say the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy will be the governor's choice to fill the New York Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Conservatives Can Unite Around the Constitution  —  The coalition that supported Reagan is as viable as ever.  —  After their dismal performance in November, conservatives are taking stock.  As they debate the causes that have driven them into the political wilderness and as they contemplate paths out, they should also take heart.