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 …

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.”

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.

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 …

Mike Pence's Ode to Rush Limbaugh  —  Here's some video of Mike Pence being an idiot and talking about the joys of Rush Limbaugh:  —  The most egregious thing here, and I guess this will be the new conservative approach, is that in response to a substantive criticism of Rush, Pence turns around and denies that Rush is a racist.

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 …

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 …

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.

GOP holds the line: 244-188.  This crap sandwich is all yours, Dems  —  Own it.  Embrace it.  Swallow it.  The House version of the $1.1 trillion Generational Theft Act of 2009 is all the Democrats' doing now.  —  Not one Republican voted for it.  (1 Republican had to leave early).

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 …

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.

OBAMA TO HOST COCKTAIL PARTY FOR LAWMAKERS  —  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has invited Republican and Democratic lawmakers for drinks at the White House as they consider his economic recovery bill that still faces opposition.  —  White House aides say about two dozen key members …

There's something happening here  —  I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound  —  Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote an article for In These Times predicting that congressional progressives would be emboldened to assert themselves in an unprecedented way under an Obama administration …

Panel Backs Justice Dept. Nominee  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved, and sent to the full Senate, the nomination of Eric H. Holder Jr. to be the nation's 82nd attorney general.  —  The committee vote was 17 to 2, with only two Republicans …

Only one voter fraud case found  —  Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he had allegations last fall of widespread voter fraud - allegations a special prosecutor reported Tuesday were wrong, noting the only voter fraud found was from a Connecticut man who told on himself.

Scott McClellan's Advice for Robert Gibbs  —  Yesterday, we asked President Bush's former press secretary, Scott McClellan, if he had any hard-won suggestions for Robert Gibbs.  —  My view is that the press-briefing model that is used now is kind of outdated.

For immediate release  —  The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent.  The Committee continues to anticipate that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for some time.

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 …