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 …

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 …

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.

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.

F-Bomb Free Or Die!  —  It's kind of hard to tell from this Portsmouth Herald article.  But it sounds like your right to remove signs other people have planted without authority on your property, and to do so without interference from busybodies, and to express yourself when those things have transpired …

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!

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 …