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.”

GOP Leader Pushes Back Against Limbaugh Line  —  Over the past few days, talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has been, far and away, the most combative critic of Barack Obama.  As Republicans on the Hill compliment the president for his willingness to talk and compromise on the stimulus …

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 …

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 …

The Political Case For The Stimulus, If You're A Vulernable Republican  —  Over a 48 hour period when 100,000 job layoffs have been announced, Hill Republicans have decided to take a stand against the stimulus.  —  Now - President Obama's approval rating is about 70%;  —  Congressional approval is still around 20%;

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.

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 …

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 …

O'Reilly don't know much about (WWII) history  —  From MSNCB's Courtney Hazlett at The Scoop: … It is worth noting that Alba wasn't speaking with a Fox reporter - it was one of O'Reilly's ambush-obsessed-producers.  Also worth noting, O'Reilly takes issue with Alba's naming of Sweden …

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 …

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).

School can expel lesbian students, court rules  —  An appeals panel finds California Lutheran High School in Riverside County is not a business and therefore doesn't have to comply with a state law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation.  —  Reporting from San Francisco …

Russia ‘drops missile plans due to Obama change to US attitude’  —  Russia has dropped plans to install missiles near Poland after the Obama administration signalled a change in US attitude to the region, a Moscow military official has reportedly said.  —  The official suggested …

Geithner: Banks won't be nationalized  —  Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner made it clear in remarks to reporters Wednesday afternoon that the Obama administration does not plan to nationalize banks or wipe out the value of bank stocks.  —  “We have a financial system that is run by private shareholders …

Iceland to appoint gay woman minister to PM post  —  REYKJAVIK, Iceland - Iceland's next leader will be an openly gay former flight attendant who parlayed her experience as a union organizer into a decades-long political career.  —  Both parties forming Iceland's new coalition government support …

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.

The Presider  —  One impression from Obama's interactions with the Republicans and Democrats in Congress: Obama clearly sees the presidency as a different institution than his immediate predecessor.  This is a good thing, it seems to me.  Bush had imbibed a monarchical sense of the office from his father and his godfather (Cheney).

Obamas Hire Chef From Chicago  —  WASHINGTON — Sam Kass, a chef who cooked for the Obamas while they were living in Chicago, is now cooking for them in the White House.  —  A spokeswoman for Michelle Obama, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, said Mr. Kass would not be the only cook preparing the family's meals …