Bush commutes sentences of former US border agents … WASHINGTON (AP) - In his final acts of clemency, President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration.

Developing: HBO says they aren't to blame for not including Gene Robinson in concert special  —  Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson (AFP/Robyn Beck)  —  Sunday afternoon, HBO televised the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial — a concert planned by the Presidential Inauguration Committee …

Jill Biden Tells Oprah Her Hubbie Offered Choice of VP or Secy of State  —  During the taping of the Oprah Winfrey show today, Dr. Jill Biden said that her husband, the vice president-elect, was given a choice of being either vice president or secretary of State.

William Ayers turned back at Canadian border  —  An American education professor, one of the founders of a radical 1960s group known as the Weather Underground, which was responsible for a number of bombings in the United States in the early 1970s, was turned back at the Canadian border last night.

Christopher Hitchens Blames Torture on Common Americans, Demands ‘Tongue’ From Andrew Sullivan  —  A gaggle of prominent scribes including Tina Brown, Harold Evans, and Politico's Mike Allen got a scare Saturday night when they found themselves briefly trapped in an elevator struggling …

What Recession?  The $170 Million Inauguration  —  Obama's Inauguration Has Been Financed Partially by Bailed-Out Wall Street Executives  —  ABC NEWS Business Unit  —  The country is in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, which isn't stopping rich donors …

Most blacks say MLK's vision fulfilled, poll finds  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — More than two-thirds of African-Americans believe Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision for race relations has been fulfilled, a CNN poll found — a figure up sharply from a survey in early 2008.

CAROLINE THE ‘CERTAIN’ PICK FOR DAVE: RIVALS  —  DESPITE claims that he's still undecided, Gov. Paterson is “certain” to pick Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the US Senate, several unhappy contenders for the job have told friends and associates in recent days.

TPM LAUNCHES TPMDC  —  Today, on the eve of the inaugural, TPM is launching a new politics blog, TPMDC.com.  It's the successor to TPM Election Central.  Our team covering the Capital under the new administration will be Elana Schor, who joined our team earlier this month, covering Capitol Hill …

Chris Rock on making fun of Barack Obama  —  (CNN) — Chris Rock is best known for two things: being funny and being crass.  —  “This is what people come to see.  I'm just doing my show,” the comedian said with a laugh.  —  He's also known for his political commentary …

44% Say Global Warming Due To Planetary Trends, Not People  —  Al Gore's side may be coming to power in Washington, but they appear to be losing the battle on the idea that humans are to blame for global warming.  —  Forty-four percent (44%) of U.S. voters now say long-term planetary trends …

Cindy Speaks  —  A Daily Beast Debate: Crouch v. Touré on Obama's MLK Legacy  —  Blogs and Stories  —  In a conversation with her daughter (and blogger) Meghan, Cindy McCain opens up about subjects she couldn't discuss before: anger at the New York Times, wardrobe malfunctions, and Obama's inauguration.

No Bush moving trucks needed Inauguration Day  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - On Inauguration day, there's one scene at the White House that won't be playing out exactly as it has during past transitions: the traditional moving of the outgoing First Family's belongings.

Gates to sit out Obama inauguration  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will sit out Barack Obama's inauguration at an undisclosed location as the “designated successor” in the event of a catastrophe, the White House announced Monday.

NOT SO MUCH  —  Theda Skocpol responds to Rep. Frank ...  I have to say, my read is very, very similar to Theda's.  I hope Frank was speaking in a more general sense rather than one of literal grand bargains or broad political economic quid pro quos.  In fact, I agree so much I think I'm …

10 Bush pardons to watch for  —  As the clock ticks down on his presidency, George W. Bush has shown few signs he plans to indulge in the frenzy of last-minute pardons that marked Bill Clinton's final hours in the Oval Office.  —  But Bush could quickly leap back into the spotlight in the next …

Economists, ideology, and stimulus  —  Mark Thoma and Brad DeLong are both, in slightly different ways, perturbed by the state of debate over fiscal stimulus.  So am I. This has not been one of the profession's finest hours.  —  There are certainly legitimate arguments against spending-based fiscal stimulus.

‘Hamas torturing Fatah members in Gaza’  —  Hamas militiamen have rounded up hundreds of Fatah activists on suspicion of “collaboration” with Israel during Operation Cast Lead, Fatah members in the Gaza Strip told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.  —  They said the Hamas crackdown on Fatah intensified …