Obama Eyes $300 Billion Tax Cut  —  WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are crafting a plan to offer about $300 billion in tax cuts to individuals and businesses, a move aimed at attracting Republican support for an economic-stimulus package and prodding companies to create jobs.

Why Israel Fights  —  The Israeli assault on Hamas in Gaza is going to be a replay, we're told, of the attempt to subdue Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in the summer of 2006.  And the outcome, it's asserted, will be the same: lots of death and destruction, no strategic victory for Israel …

Obama Team Feels Richardson Wasn't Forthcoming About Investigation Before Being Offered Commerce  —  Sources tell ABC News that officials on the Obama Transition Team feel that before he was formally offered the job of commerce secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was not forthcoming …

Panel to declare Franken winner of Senate race  —  MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) — A state election board on Monday will announce Democrat Al Franken has defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, state officials told CNN Sunday.

Reid Defends Right to Fight Burris Appointment  —  Majority Leader Says Senate Appointment Is Tainted by Illinois Scandal but ‘Anything Can Happen’  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid defended his right to block the Senate appointment of former Illinois attorney general Roland W. Burris …

Good Questions to Vote for in the ATR Debate  —  Tomorrow is the RNC candidates debate hosted by ATR.  You can submit your question for the candidates and vote here.  —  Perhaps not surprisingly, Ron Paul activists have voted up the majority of questions con the site.

Activist Unmasks Himself as Federal Informant in G.O.P. Convention Case  —  When the scheduled federal trial begins this month for two Texas men who were arrested during the Republican National Convention on charges of making and possessing Molotov cocktails, one of the major witnesses …

Foreign journalists vie for the few slots to get into Gaza  —  Since the Israel Defense Forces operation began in the Gaza Strip late last month, Sderot has become a communications hub, mainly for journalists from around the world.  Earlier this week the IDF agreed to allow eight journalists …

SF: Interesting Pro-Hamas Protest Banner  —  Pro Hamas rally on Jan. 2nd “Queers for Palestine”.  —  Hmmm, I wonder if these people realize what Hamas would do to them?

Influential Hamas Leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef's Son Renounces Islam  —  FNC documentary “Escape from Hamas” featured the son of Yousef, Mosab Hassan Yousef.  Yousef now faces death for renouncing Islam and converting to Christianity.  —  Yousef, when asked; “Can the Palestinians and Israel live in peace?”:

Va. Governor Kaine to Become DNC Chairman  —  Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will become chairman of the Democratic National Committee later this month, serving as the top political messenger for Barack Obama's administration even while he finishes his final year in the governor's mansion, several sources said.

NOW THE TRUTH CAN BE TOLD  —  Al Franken, in tights, impersonating Mick Jagger.  I'm just going to leave it at that.

New sheriff says he wants more deputies  —  Garcia also presses for new ‘cold case’ squad  —  Harris County needs more “boots on the ground” to arrest criminals, prevent crime and help residents of its far-flung neighborhoods feel safer, newly instated Sheriff Adrian Garcia said Sunday.