Obama to GOP: ‘I won’  —  President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus package during a meeting with congressional leaders Friday morning - but he also left no doubt about who's in charge of these negotiations.  “I won,” Obama noted matter-of-factly, according to sources familiar with the conversation.

Paterson Picks Gillibrand for Senate Seat  —  ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson has selected Representative Kirsten Gillibrand, a 42-year-old congresswoman from upstate who is known for bold political moves and centrist policy positions, to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton …

The 25 Most Influential Liberals In The U.S. Media  —  Edited by Tunku Varadarajan, Elisabeth Eaves and Hana R. Alberts, 01.22.09, 04:02 PM EST  —  Listen for their voices during the Obama era.  —  Barack Obama's inauguration was the formal point at which the reigning ideology in Washington changed from “conservative” to “liberal.”

Palin's “Donated” Clothes Stashed in Trash Bags at RNC  —  Despite the Republican National Committee's promise to donate Sarah Palin's $180,000 campaign wardrobe to charity, word has it the Alaska governor's clothes remain stuffed in trash bags at RNC headquarters, NewMajority has learned.

Bruno indicted  —  Grand jury issues 8-count indictment for mail and wire fraud  —  ALBANY — A federal grand jury today indicted former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, accusing him of eight counts of public corruption.  —  Bruno is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate at 1:30 p.m. today.

Former Bush Speechwriter: Obama Is “Most Dangerous Man Ever To Occupy Oval Office”  —  Former Bush chief speechwriter Marc Thiessen kicked up a big fuss yesterday with a Washington Post Op ed slamming Obama's executive orders by saying that if there's another terror attack, “Americans will hold Obama responsible.”

WSJ Insists Obama Is Leaving Door Open For A ‘Jack Bauer Exception’ To His Torture Ban  —  Yesterday, President Obama signed an executive order banning the use of torture in all military and CIA interrogations of suspected terrorists.  The order specifically revoked the legal memos written …

John McCain Does the Impossible  —  John McCain has prompted me to say the unthinkable.  —  The right man won in 2008.  —  I say this because the circumstances of Hillary Clinton being Secretary of State, while foreign governments have donated $41 million to her husband's foundation …

JON CHAIT IS RIGHT.  —  I actually agree with one part of Jon Chait's attack on J Street: There is, among liberals, a sort of “narrative of persecution and bravery” attached to criticizing Israel.  And Chait is right: This narrative is wrong.  It's wrong despite his best efforts, but wrong nevertheless.

Infrastructure: It's Job 1 to Americans  —  A poll finds near unanimous support for rebuilding.  —  I'm a pollster and political consultant associated with Republican causes: the Contract with America, the “death tax” and, of course, ending wasteful Washington spending.

Ill. gov tells AP that strain is like Pearl Harbor  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois' embattled but defiant governor turned to the history books to describe the emotional strain on him and his family, comparing his arrest last month to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Officials: Obama to reverse abortion policy  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON - In a long-expected move, President Barack Obama plans to sign an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that perform abortions …

Obama's Inaugural Surprise  —  Fascinating speech.  It was so rhetorically flat, so lacking in rhythm and cadence, one almost has to believe he did it on purpose.  Best not to dazzle on Opening Day.  Otherwise, they'll expect magic all the time.  —  The most striking characteristic …

No Snickering: That Road Sign Means Something Else  —  CRAPSTONE, England — When ordering things by telephone, Stewart Pearce tends to take a proactive approach to the inevitable question “What is your address?”  —  He lays it out straight, so there is no room for unpleasant confusion.

Suspected US missile strike kills 18 in Pakistan  —  ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Suspected U.S. missiles killed 18 people on the Pakistan side of the Afghan border Friday, security officials said, the first attacks on the al-Qaida stronghold since President Barack Obama took office.

ACLU Lays Off A Tenth Of Workforce  —  The American Civil Liberties Union, impacted by the unfolding economic crisis, laid off ten percent of its national workforce this week.  Thirty-six staffers lost their jobs, including five in the Washington, D.C. legislative office, a source familiar with the firings told the Huffington Post.

Storming the 4th Circuit  —  So the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit is set for a takeover.  Popular commentary has it that the court, on which I serve, is a fortress or bastion or citadel of conservatism.  Discussion of coming changes suggests more the fruits of a successful military campaign …

McCain floats Kyl for president  —  Former GOP presidential nominee John McCain on Thursday named fellow Arizona Senator Jon Kyl as a potential 2012 presidential candidate.  —  Asked on CNN's “Larry King Live” if he plans to support Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the Republican presidential primaries …

Obama Wants to Reopen Lady Liberty's Crown  —  Visitors to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty will once again be able to climb the 354 steps from the base of the Statue of Liberty to the iconic crown that overlooks New York Harbor — but not quite yet.

Democrats' 2008 Advantage in Party ID Largest Since '83  —  An average of 36% of Americans identified as Democrats last year  — USA - Democrats - Government and Politics - Party Affiliation - Republicans - Americas - Northern America  —  PRINCETON, NJ — An average of 36% …