Economy Shed 598,000 Jobs in January  —  WASHINGTON — The United States lost almost 600,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent, its highest level in more than 16 years, the Labor Department said Friday.  —  It was the biggest monthly job loss since the economy tipped …

On the Edge  —  A not-so-funny thing happened on the way to economic recovery.  Over the last two weeks, what should have been a deadly serious debate about how to save an economy in desperate straits turned, instead, into hackneyed political theater, with Republicans spouting …

The Fierce Urgency of Pork  —  “A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe.”  —  Catastrophe, mind you.  So much for the president who in his inaugural address two weeks earlier declared “we have chosen hope over fear.”  Until, that is, you need fear to pass a bill.

Closing argument: Obama changes tone  —  With his economic stimulus bill facing a rockier path than he'd hope, a different Barack Obama emerged Thursday.  —  Gone was the conciliatory rhetoric and gentle wooing of the GOP.  —  Instead appeared a president sounding like the candidate …

Bush Jacketless In Oval Office: Photo Uncovered After Bush Chief Of Staff Slams Obama's Informal Appearance (SLIDESHOW)  —  One day after President Bush's former Chief of Staff Andrew Card blasted President Obama for breaking the Bush dress code, which reportedly required that a jacket be worn …

Japan's Big-Works Stimulus Is Lesson  —  HAMADA, Japan — The Hamada Marine Bridge soars majestically over this small fishing harbor, so much larger than the squid boats anchored below that it seems out of place.  —  And it is not just the bridge.  Two decades of generous public works spending …

AQ Khan freed by Pakistan high court  —  Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan's best known nuclear scientist, was freed after five years of effective house arrest for his alleged role in sharing nuclear know-how and technology with Iran, Libya and North Korea.  —  Mr Khan, a metallurgical engineer …

Mitt Romney: The GOP's Top MBA  —  It's been a year since Mitt Romney dropped out of the Republican presidential race, but he remains an influential conservative voice— particularly on economic issues.  The former Massachusetts governor and star business consultant earned ovations …

Dramatic tapes of Hilda Solis-White House emergency radio chatter  —  In an amazing news coincidence, on the very same day as the US Air Flight 1549 emergency radio tapes were released, The Ticket has exclusively obtained the tapes of recent emergency radio conversations between ground traffic controllers …

Obey on Stimulus Waste: ‘So What?’  —  How money is spent should be far from the biggest concern about the stimulus package, its chief author, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wisc.) said Friday.  —  “So what?”  Obey asked in response to a question on NPR's “Morning Edition” …

General Says His Iraq Envoy Job Was Rescinded  —  WASHINGTON — When the vice president, the secretary of state and the national security adviser all say you have been tapped to be the next United States ambassador to Iraq, odds are it's a done deal, right?  —  Apparently not in the Obama administration.

The Gang System  —  Barack Obama is a potentially transformational figure.  In political style and intellectual outlook, he is unlike anything that has come before.  On matters of policy substance, however, he's been pretty conventional.  The policies he offered during the campaign matched those of just about every other Democrat.

Bracing Ourselves  —  America prepares for the worst, and Republicans suddenly seem serious.  —  All week the word I kept thinking of was “braced.”  America is braced, like people who are going fast and see a crash ahead.  They know huge and historic challenges are here.

As Layoffs Surge, Women May Pass Men in Job Force  —  With the recession on the brink of becoming the longest in the postwar era, a milestone may be at hand: Women are poised to surpass men on the nation's payrolls, taking the majority for the first time in American history.

Val Kilmer ponders running for governor  —  Democrat actor known for roles as ‘Batman’ and ‘Iceman’ eyes 2010 race  —  SANTA FE, N.M. - Holy hornet's nest, Batman!  The New Mexico governor's mansion?  —  Fresh from the inauguration, actor Val Kilmer is pondering running for governor in 2010 …

Tax Court Takes Swipe at Daschle-Geithner-Killefer-Solis in Making Koko Taylor Sing the Tax Blues  —  I previously blogged the sad case of Grammy-winning blues singer Koko Taylor, who is 80 years old and in poor health: … The Tax Court yesterday held that the IRS did not abuse its discretion …

My Preferred Fiscal Stimulus  —  Regular readers of this blog have a pretty good sense of my policy preferences.  But for those occasional readers who might be stopping by, let me reiterate what I would do right now if I were the fiscal king.  —  I would institute an immediate …

GOP Opposes Pay Limits On Bailed-Out Bankers  —  Wall Street bankers, with their $18 billion in bonuses, private jets and gaudy conferences, are causing headaches for the GOP.  —  President Obama has proposed capping compensation for executives at banks that take taxpayer bailout money at $500,000.

Election 2009: Virginia Governor Election  —  GOP's McDonnell Has Edge Over All Democrats In Virginia Governor's Race  —  Republican Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell has a three-to-nine point lead against three hopefuls for the Democratic nomination in this year's closely-watched Virginia gubernatorial contest.

Finding His Inner Eastwood  —  The Marine Corps' 1st Division has a macho motto: “No Better Friend.  No Worse Enemy.”  President Barack Obama could use a little of that Clint Eastwood-style bravura now as he bargains with Republicans over the stimulus package and tries to establish momentum and credibility for his new administration.

Let's Start Brand New Banks  —  A clean slate would keep TARP money away from bad banks.  —  Everyone agrees that the United States urgently needs a few good banks.  Turning bad banks into good banks is a difficult and risky way to get them.  It's simpler and safer to start entirely new banks.

RNC shakeup as Steele asks for resignations  —  Top staffers at the Republican National Committee were told to submit their resignations today, with some being told they will not get their jobs back in what insiders call a top-to-bottom review of the entire organization.