Cheney warns of new attacks  —  Former Vice President Dick Cheney warned that there is a “high probability” that terrorists will attempt a catastrophic nuclear or biological attack in coming years, and said he fears the Obama administration's policies will make it more likely the attempt will succeed.

Senate Lacks Votes to Pass Stimulus  —  Democrats Trying to Trim $900 Billion Plan to Gain GOP Support  —  Senate Democratic leaders conceded yesterday that they do not have the votes to pass the stimulus bill as currently written and said that to gain bipartisan support …

Well, That Certainly Didn't Take Long  —  On 9/11, President Bush learned of disaster while reading “The Pet Goat” to grade-school kids.  On Tuesday, President Obama escaped from disaster by reading “The Moon Over Star” to grade-school kids.  —  “We were just tired of being in the White House …

U.S. Plans $500,000 Cap on Executive Pay in Bailouts  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is expected to impose a cap of $500,000 for top executives at companies that receive large amounts of bailout money, according to people familiar with the plan.  —  Executives would also be prohibited …

The Impending Obama Meltdown  —  Some of us have been warning that it was not healthy for the U.S. media to have deified rather than questioned Obama, especially given that they tore apart Bush, ridiculed Palin, and caricatured Hillary.  And now we can see the results of their two years of advocacy rather than scrutiny.

Ron Sims leaves legacy of change as he heads for HUD  —  When Ron Sims goes to Washington, D.C., he will leave King County a legacy of denser suburbs, more open space, a larger trail network and a technologically advanced sewer system designed to handle continued growth.

California farms, vineyards in peril from warming, U.S. energy secretary warns  —  'We're looking at a scenario where there's no more agriculture in California,' Steven Chu says.  He sees education as a means to combat threat.  —  Reporting from Washington — California's farms and vineyards …

Rahm Emanuel's Illegal D.C. Basement Rental  —  He's the cheapskate of staff.  Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's right-hand man, lives in a basement apartment on Capitol Hill rented to him by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.  Just one problem: He's not allowed to live there.

In Attack on Kennedy, Echo of a Spitzer Tactic  —  ALBANY — An administration leaks damaging information about a political figure.  The leak is denounced by the governor, who says that he had nothing to do with it.  —  This is what happened during the tenure of Gov. Eliot Spitzer …

WHAT CHANGE LOOKS LIKE.  —  My reporting has been similar to that of Jon Cohn.  Everyone I've spoken to in the administration has expressed total shock over Daschle's withdrawal.  As recently as last night, they were counting votes and felt certain the nomination was on track for a bumpy but comfortable confirmation.

EXCLUSIVE: Obama backs out on Iraq appointment  —  The Obama administration asked retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni to be U.S. ambassador to Iraq but abruptly withdrew the appointment without explanation, Gen. Zinni said Tuesday.  —  Gen. Zinni, a former commander of Central Command …

India warns Obama over Kashmir  —  India has warned US President Barack Obama that he risks “barking up the wrong tree” if he seeks to broker a settlement between Pakistan and India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.  —  MK Narayanan, India's national security advisor …

Kristol: New Poll Shows Stimulus Support Sags  —  THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned that later this morning Rasmussen Reports will release new survey data showing that a plurality of Americans now oppose the stimulus package (37-43%); two weeks ago, support for the legislation stood at 45-34%.

Mark Halperin, Chris Matthews and Anderson Cooper Skew Obama Ratings … It all started with Mark Halperin's brief note in Time Magazine, http://thepage.time.com/2009/02/03/ poll-obama-approval-rating-drops/ , which stated “Poll: Obama Approval Rating Drops”.

Vatican: Holocaust denier must recant  —  VATICAN CITY - The Vatican on Wednesday demanded that a prelate who denied the Holocaust recant his positions before being fully admitted as a bishop into the Roman Catholic Church.  —  It also said Pope Benedict XVI had not known …

Republicans staking early claim in 2010 Senate cycle  —  Following two cycles in which the party found itself perpetually on defense, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is giving early indications it intends to lambaste Democrats in a much more aggressive fashion in the 2010 cycle.

Border-Fence Project Hits a Snag  —  Opposition From Environmentalists, Property Owners Slows Construction of Final Leg  —  Construction of the final stretch of a 670-mile security fence along the southern U.S. border has hit a series of legal, political and engineering obstacles that are slowing completion of the yearlong project.

Time to Steer ‘Forceful Course’ for Stimulus  —  The most serious charge against the stimulus package is that it does not pack enough punch.  Two different camps have been making this argument over the last few weeks.  Publicly, the Obama administration hasn't really answered either one.

My Economic Wish List  —  The House plan doesn't spend fast enough.  —  While wiping my desk lamp the other day, a genie appeared, offering me — you guessed it — three wishes.  I first asked him to restore my portfolio to its former glory.  He demurred: “No, I only grant wishes for the national economy.

Rider Paradox: Surge in Mass, Drop in Transit  —  ST. LOUIS — Buses will no longer stop at some 2,300 stops in and around this city at the end of next month because, despite rising ridership, the struggling transit system plans to balance its books with layoffs and drastic service cuts.

Tom Daschle's Washington  —  His riches illustrate the expanding power of the political class.  —  Just as Tom Daschle's Senate pals were preparing to grant absolution for his six-figure tax-free limousine — could've happened to anyone — the former Majority Leader yesterday withdrew …

Baucus says healthcare reform will require more government spending  —  Healthcare reform cannot be done under the strictures of pay-as-you-go budgeting, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) indicated Tuesday.  —  Since late last year, Baucus has sent the clear message …