Steele's Campaign Spending Questioned  —  Agents Contact Sister After Ex-Aide's Claims  —  Michael S. Steele, the newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, arranged for his 2006 Senate campaign to pay a defunct company run by his sister for services that were never performed …

FIDDLING.... Matt Yglesias has raised this observation a few times in recent weeks, but it's a good point that bears repeating. … Quite right.  There are differences of opinion about the merit of President Obama giving Congress a “deadline” on the stimulus package, but the fact remains …

Results in on Obama's grassroots appeal: It's a bust  —  WASHINGTON — Few supporters are answering President Barack Obama's call for nationwide house-party gatherings this weekend to build grass-roots support for his economic stimulus plan.  —  A McClatchy survey of sign-up rosters for a score …

Palin's husband, aides found in contempt by Senate  —  TODD PALIN, OTHERS: No punishment urged in troopergate matter.  —  scockerham@adn.com  —  JUNEAU — The Alaska Senate voted Friday to find Gov. Sarah Palin's husband, Todd, and nine Palin aides in contempt for failing to show …

CRAZY PEOPLE.... Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) gave a speech on the Senate floor yesterday, complaining not only about the government stimulus, but the process by which the stimulus was put together. … Similarly, John McCain said the bill should have been “bipartisan,” and it doesn't count …

No President Needs This Kind of Exposure  —  So far six audience members have stormed out midperformance of the Broadway show “You're Welcome America.  A Final Night with George W Bush,” the comedian Will Ferrell's lampooning of the 43rd president, according to those keeping count at the Cort Theater.

Compromise  —  There was bad news and then there was good news.  —  Yesterday we learned that in January, the country suffered its largest one-month job loss in 34 years.  —  But last night, the Senate struck a compromise on the economic recovery plan and put us on our way to giving …

Biden Signals U.S. Is Open to Deal With Russia on Missiles  —  MUNICH — The United States will pursue a missile defense plan that has angered the Kremlin, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said Saturday, but he also left open the possibility of compromise on the issue and struck …

The RNC begs for help on right wing talk radio  —  John Amato's virtual online magazine...OK, It's a blog!  — Advertising- Commenting- General Problems- Media Problems- Supported Browsers- User Registration  —  Blogs » John Amato's blog  —  C&Lers Tony and Karen emailed me this tidbit and I thought I would share.

KBR Wins Contract While Under Criminal Investigation  —  Don't tell me we can't change.  Yes we can! … As Glenn Reynolds might say, “They told me if I voted for McCain we wouldn't see the end of big contracts going to Halliburton*.  And they were right!”

Sources tell SI Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 … In 2003, when he won the American League home run title and the AL Most Valuable Player award as a shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids, four sources have independently told Sports Illustrated.

NYT: Republicans Voting for Stimulus Package Are Being Patriotic  —  Roughly five months after Joe Biden informed the nation that paying higher taxes is patriotic, it now appears radically increasing government spending and the federal debt is as well.  —  At least that's what one gets …

CIA warns Barack Obama that British terrorists are the biggest threat to the US  —  Barack Obama has been warned by the CIA that British Islamist extremists are the greatest threat to US homeland security.  —  American spy chiefs have told the President that the CIA has launched …

Gird your loins: The Senate thieves rush to pass trillion-dollar porkulus  —  Here's where things stand.  The Senate will be in session today from about noon to 3:00pm Eastern.  Members will speak, but there won't be any roll call votes.  Cloture will reportedly be filed on the Cave-In/"Compromise" …

New Plan to Help Banks Sell Bad Assets  —  WASHINGTON — After weeks of internal debate, the Obama administration has settled on a plan to inject billions of dollars in fresh capital into banks and entice investors to purchase their most troubled assets.  —  The new financial industry rescue plan …

Senators debate stimulus compromise  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Senators resumed debate Saturday on a massive economic recovery package after a group of lawmakers reached a compromise that trimmed billions in spending from an earlier version.  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told …

John Kerry: You Know What's the Problem With Stimulus Tax Cuts?  All That Freedom.  —  Sen. John Kerry took to the Senate floor today to pace, rant, and raise his voice in a monotone simulation of human passion as he spoke up for the massive spending bill the Democrats want to pass today under the guise of “stimulus.”