Transition Holds Clues to How Obama Will Govern  —  WASHINGTON — On the day before moving into the nation's most storied house, Barack Obama visited a shelter for teenagers with no home.  With sleeves rolled up, he spent a few minutes painting for the benefit of the cameras that trail him everywhere now.

What Are the Media Celebrating?  —  Filmmaker Ron Howard was chatting in Maureen Dowd's living room, saying he didn't mind spending hours in the cold for the inauguration and that even his conservative brother had come to admire Barack Obama.  —  Outside on the chilly Sunday night …

Obama becomes nation's 44th president  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Barack Obama is delivering a sobering assessment of where America stands and a hopeful vision of what it can become as he gives his inaugural address as the nation's 44th president.  —  “The challenges we face are real. ...

I Pledge to Ridicule Celebrities Who Refuse to Recognize We Are At War With People Who Want to Kill Them, Too  —  Many of the celebrities that were central to demonizing and making life impossible for President Bush for eight loathsome years NOW want to help with the heavy lifting of bringing America …

Al Qaeda bungles arms experiment  —  Biological or chemical weapons  —  An al Qaeda affiliate in Algeria closed a base earlier this month after an experiment with unconventional weapons went awry, a senior U.S. intelligence official said Monday.  —  The official, who spoke on the condition …

Bush leaves note for Obama in Oval Office  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Continuing a White House ritual, President George W. Bush left a note in the Oval Office for President-elect Barack Obama, wishing him well as he takes the reins of the executive branch.  —  The White House on Tuesday declined …

Cornyn likely to block Clinton vote  —  Hillary Clinton has rejected a request by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to increase oversight of her husband's foundation — so Cornyn is expected to scuttle Democratic attempts to confirm her as Secretary of State today by a voice vote, sources say.

Pray Obama fails  —  Many American Christians believe, as an article of faith, that we are to pray for the success of our leaders.  —  It has become a sort of conventional wisdom among soft-minded believers.  The biblical proof-text for this misguided way of thinking is Romans 13:1-4:

Obama's link to America: his BlackBerry  —  As president, keeping in touch with friends and critics alike will be crucial to his ability to govern.  —  'Let the man have his BlackBerry.  I said that to a meeting of senior transition staffers in Washington last week.

Battered Liberal Syndrome  —  Perhaps there is something in the soul of Democrats, scarred by the stolen election of 2000 and a close loss in 2004, that anticipates setback.  Call it Battered Liberal Syndrome.  This time, it's not electoral defeat Democrats fear, but a devaluation …

Mayor admits '05 relationship with teen  —  After many denials, Adams confesses to relationship with man, 18, in '05  —  PORTLAND, Ore. - More than a year after denying it, the newly elected mayor of Portland has admitted having a sexual relationship with a male teenager in 2005.

Bush's Real Sin Was Winning in Iraq  —  In a few hours, George W. Bush will walk out of the Oval Office for the last time as president.  As he leaves, he carries with him the near-universal opprobrium of the permanent class that inhabits our nation's capital.

Text of Obama's inaugural speech  —  WASHINGTON - The text of Barack Obama's speech for his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States, as prepared for delivery:  —  My fellow citizens:  —  I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed …

Live Blog: The Inauguration of Barack Obama  —  Thousands have filled the streets of Washington to witness the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama.  You can follow along here as the spectacle unfolds today.  —  Benediction |  12:32 p.m. The benediction is being given …

Obama's Inaugural Address: Great Expectations  —  President-Elect Has Set the Bar High for His Inauguration Day Speech  —  For any incoming president, an inaugural address is a real challenge.  For Barack Obama, it may be a stiffer challenge than for most of his predecessors.

Obama aims to ‘buck up’ Americans  —  Calling for America to show a new maturity that will bridge old squabbles, President-elect Obama plans “a sober speech” for bleak times, leavened with assurance that he believes better times are coming, aides said.  —  Obama will call for …

Marty Lederman joins the Office of Legal Counsel  —  Some of you may have noticed that Marty Lederman has not been blogging recently at Balkinization.  The reason is that he has been working on the Department of Justice Transition team.  As of today, the commencement of the Obama Administration …