House Passes $819 Billion Economic Stimulus  —  Republicans Wary of Package's Price Tag, Spending Priorities  —  With no Republican support, the House approved an $819 billion stimulus plan that will serve as the cornerstone of President Obama's efforts to resuscitate the economy …

Revealed: the letter Barack Obama's team hope will heal Iran rift  —  Officials of Barack Obama's administration have drafted a letter to Iran from the president aimed at unfreezing US-Iranian relations and opening the way for face-to-face talks, the Guardian has learned.

WHAT A GUY  —  Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) revealed more of himself than anyone cared to see, at the expense of Salon's Joan Walsh, this evening on “Hardball.”  In a debate with Walsh over tax policy, Armey let loose with this chauvinistic gem: “I am so damn glad …

Exclusive: CIA Station Chief in Algeria Accused of Rapes  —  “Ugly American”?  Spy Boss Allegedly Drugged Muslim Women, Made Secret Sex Videos  —  The CIA's station chief at its sensitive post in Algeria is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly raping at least …

EXCLUSIVE: Holder assures GOP on interrogation prosecution  —  President Obama's choice to run the Justice Department has assured senior Republican senators that he won't prosecute CIA officers or political appointees who were involved in the Bush administration's policy of “enhanced interrogations.”

Alba schools Fox's O'Reilly in WW II history  —  Plus: Simpson won't spin weight loss; Anderson finds trailer-park love  —  Jessica Alba is setting the record straight: Sweden was neutral during World War II.  —  Alba and Fox TV show host Bill O'Reilly traded punches last week after the presidential inauguration.

Hey Bam, that's not the door!  —  It looks like President Obama hasn't gotten acquainted to his White House surroundings.  On the way back to the Oval Office Tuesday, the President approached a paned window, instead of the actual door — located a few feet to his right.

State of the States: Political Party Affiliation  —  Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and District of Columbia are most Democratic  — USA - Democrats - Government and Politics - Party Affiliation - Republicans - Americas - Northern America … PRINCETON, NJ — An analysis …

REPORT: GOP Lawmakers Outnumber Democratic Lawmakers 2 To 1 In Stimulus Debate On Cable News  —  As Media Matters has documented, during the Bush administration, the media consistently allowed conservatives to dominate their shows, booking them as guests far more often than progressives.

Stimulus Bill Passes House With 0 Republican Votes  —  Well, it passed.  After taking out family planning money and ditching bankruptcy reform, plus including significant tax cuts, not a single Republican voted for it.  It's like Democrats are negotiating with themselves.

Nadler transit amendment passes on voice vote  —  The House just approved Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY)'s amendment to add $3 billion in transit capital funding to the stimulus.  They approved it on a voice vote instead of a roll call.  —  According to Nadler's floor speech …

THE GOP'S FORGOTTEN MODERATE HISTORY  —  In one of his last interviews as president, George W. Bush called for a “compassionate” Republican Party and warned that the GOP must not become too ideologically inflexible: “It's very important for our party not to narrow its focus …

Obama pokes fun at D.C. area's reaction to snow  —  WASHINGTON — After his daughters got a snow day Wednesday, President Barack Obama wants to see a little bit of “flinty, Chicago toughness” applied locally.  —  “When it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don't seem to be able to handle things …

The Fate of Culture11  —  Sometimes there are simple stories.  Culture11's is one of them.  We raised a certain amount of money last year predicated on the assumption we would raise more money last year.  Then the Fall's fall occurred and we stretched money as long and far as we could without incurring any debts.

In China, a Grass-Roots Rebellion  —  Rights Manifesto Slowly Gains Ground Despite Government Efforts to Quash It  —  SHANGHAI — When Tang Xiaozhao first saw a copy of the pro-democracy petition in her e-mail inbox, she silently acknowledged she agreed with everything in it but didn't want to get involved.