Blago hit up Burris for cash  —  Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother solicited U.S. Sen. Roland Burris for up to $10,000 in campaign cash before Blagojevich named Burris to the coveted post — something Burris initially failed to disclose under oath before an Illinois House impeachment panel, records and interviews show.

Obama Scores Early Victory of Historic Proportions  —  Twenty-four days into his presidency, Barack Obama recorded last night a legislative achievement of the sort that few of his predecessors achieved at any point in their tenure.  —  In size and scope, there is almost nothing in history …

Obama planning ambitious road ahead  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Fresh off victory on President Obama's signature $787 billion economic recovery plan, several top White House aides say they're planning an ambitious agenda for the rest of February.  —  The Senate had waited for the return …

Stimulus Plan Places New Limits on Wall St. Bonuses  —  WASHINGTON — A provision buried deep inside the $787 billion economic stimulus bill would impose restrictions on executive bonuses at financial institutions that are much tougher than those proposed 10 days ago by the Treasury Department.

Public still sky-high on Obama ‘brand’  —  With Barack Obama's victory in passing a massive stimulus package marred by days of bad press—as not a single House Republican backed the bill, his Health Czar went down in flames and his second pick for Commerce Secretary walked away …

An Eternal Optimist — But Not A Sap  —  THE COMMON THEME OF OBAMA'S EARLY EFFORTS HAS BEEN THE SOLIDITY OF HIS GOALS, AND THE PLIABILITY OF HIS MEANS FOR ACHIEVING THEM.  —  After the trials and triumphs of his tumultuous first weeks, President Obama appears increasingly focused on ends, not means.

Obama Levitates  —  But the train goes off the rails.  —  One of many highlights of the stimulus bill the Democrats just rammed through Congress is $8 billion for high-speed rail.  What makes this appropriation special is that there was no money for high-speed rail in the original House legislation.

Geithner Reassures G-7 on Bank Plan, Is Urged to Act  —  Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner reassured Group of Seven counterparts about his plan to rescue the U.S. financial system and was urged to press ahead with the effort to clean up toxic assets and revive lending.

But That's Fine!  —  I don't have a problem with Republicans who, on balance, wanted the bill to pass but still voted against it.  I don't really think it's “cowardice” or whatever, they're simply making it clear that they're the opposition party.  And that's a good thing!

Recount trial: Coleman dealt blow, but no knockout  —  In a blow to Coleman, recount trial judges ruled out most rejected absentee votes.  —  Dealing a blow but not a knockout to Republican Norm Coleman's hopes, the judges in the U.S. Senate election trial on Friday tossed out most of the 19 categories …

Muslim girl in baptism row was fleeing an arranged marriage … The foster mother struck off for allowing a Muslim girl to convert to Christianity took the child in after she was threatened with an arranged marriage.  —  The woman, a devout Christian, was asked to care for the teenager …

Ford Still (or Again) a Candidate to Head Commerce Department  —  As the Memphis Flyer noted first, as long ago as January 15 ("Ford's Future"), Harold Ford Jr. may be in line to become Commerce Secretary in the Obama administration.  The admirable Chuck Todd of NBC and MSNBC is the latest …