The Travails of Tom Daschle  —  When President Obama nominated former Senator Tom Daschle to be his secretary of health and human services, it seemed to be a good choice.  Mr. Daschle, as the co-author of a book on health care reform, knew a lot about one of the president's signature issues.

Obama performance chief Killefer out, citing taxes  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON - Nancy Killefer, who failed for a year and a half to pay employment taxes on household help, withdrew her candidacy to be the first chief performance officer for the federal government on Tuesday.

JOE THE REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.... Once in a while, I get the sense Republicans on Capitol Hill want to be made fun of. … This is what it's come to for Republican staffers in Congress.  In the midst of an economic crisis, and after balking at a stimulus package, the GOP is turning …

Daniel Pearl and the Normalization of Evil  —  When will our luminaries stop making excuses for terror?  —  This week marks the seventh anniversary of the murder of our son, former Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.  My wife Ruth and I wonder: Would Danny have believed that today's world emerged after his tragedy?

Secret report urges new Afghan plan  —  The Pentagon's top military officers are recommending to President Barack Obama that he shift U.S. strategy in Afghanistan — to focus on ensuring regional stability and eliminating Taliban and Al Qaida safe havens in Pakistan, rather …

Gregg Voted to Kill Commerce Before He Agreed to Lead It  —  President Obama's new candidate to run the Commerce Department voted in favor of abolishing the agency as a member of the Budget Committee and on the Senate floor in 1995.  —  Sen. Judd Gregg , R-N.H., whose nomination was expected …

Dems warn leaders to resume regular order  —  A group of more than 50 House Democrats has penned a letter to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) imploring him to “restore this institution” and see that the House returns to a “regular order” process of legislating.

North Korea ‘prepares to test long range missile’  —  North Korea is preparing to test fire a long range missile capable of striking the United States, according to media reports in South Korea and Japan this morning.  —  The Yonhap News Agency in Seoul quoted South Korean officials …

Americans Support Stimulus, but Many Want Major Changes  —  Most say plan will not have major impact this year  — USA - Business and Economy - Congress - Credit Crisis - Personal Finances - Taxes - Americas - Northern America  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A strong majority of Americans (75%) …

Martinez Eyeing Early Exit as Crist Looks at Senate Seat  —  In what could be a Sunshine State one-two punch, multiple Republican sources are confirming that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is giving serious consideration to running for Senate — and that Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) …

Iran Says It Has Launched Satellite  —  LONDON — Iran said Tuesday that it had launched what it described as its first domestically produced satellite as part of an effort to build a space industry.  —  The launch on Monday, coinciding with celebrations marking the 30th anniversary …

Despite Federal Aid, Many Banks Fail to Revive Lending  —  The federal government has invested almost $200 billion in U.S. banks over the last three months to spark new lending to consumers and businesses.  —  So far, it hasn't worked.  Lending has declined, and banks that got government money …

Paris rejects ‘Obama-style’ stimulus program  —  LYON: Prime Minister François Fillon on Monday rejected demands that the French government seek to stimulate consumer spending, rather than follow his plan to stimulate corporate and infrastructure investment, to lift France out of its economic slump.