Obama: ‘We are ready to lead once more’  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Barack Obama delivered a sobering assessment of where America stands and a hopeful vision of what it can become as he gave his inaugural address as the nation's 44th president.  —  “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.

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 …

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 …

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 …

REMARKS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA  —  Washington, D.C.  —  My fellow citizens:  —  I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.  I thank President Bush for his service to our nation …

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:

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.

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 …

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.

CHENEY AND ICONS  —  As some of you have seen, Vice President Cheney is getting pushed around today in a wheelchair.  Thankfully, it's no serious medical issue.  He hurt his back lugging books while moving out of the old digs.  But it's iconic.  There's no escaping the symbolism of the tired …

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.