Steele: GOP needs ‘hip-hop’ makeover  —  NEWSMAKER INTERVIEW:  —  Newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele plans an “off the hook” public relations offensive to attract younger voters, especially blacks and Hispanics, by applying the party's principles to “urban-suburban hip-hop settings.”

Firm with Murtha Ties Got Earmarks From Nearly One-Fourth of House  —  More than 100 House members secured earmarks in a major spending bill for clients of a single lobbying firm — The PMA Group — known for its close ties to John P. Murtha , the congressman in charge of Pentagon appropriations.

Valenti's Sexuality Was Topic For FBI  —  Under Pressure, LBJ Let Hoover's Agents Investigate Top Aide  —  When Beltway insider Jack Valenti died two years ago at age 85, he was playing the role of intermediary between Washington and Hollywood as the theatrical, snowy-haired president of the Motion Picture Association of America.

The RAT hiding deep inside the stimulus bill  —  The far-reaching — and potentially dangerous — provision that no one knows about.  —  You've heard a lot about the astonishing spending in the $787 billion economic stimulus bill, signed into law this week by President Barack Obama.

Budget to kick off health care rewrite  —  At the end of the day last Wednesday, Obama aides and a handful of Senators hashed out the details of a $787 billion spending package in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office.  —  Larry Summers, the architect of the plan, was no longer in the room …

Early Thursday Morning Items  — Missouri: Republican Rep. Roy Blunt will announce his candidacy today for Senate in 2010.  He has been widely expected to enter the race.  The big question now (other than whether or not Blunt's best buddy Tom DeLay will serve as a high-profile surrogate …

Budget plan goes to Schwarzenegger after Legislature's OK  —  The deal is done.  —  The California Legislature voted early today to approve a massive budget package of tax increases, spending cuts and borrowing to close a $40 billion deficit after granting major concessions to one holdout Republican senator.

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris is on thin ice with Illinois colleague Sen. Dick Durbin  —  Burris has been stung by his acknowledgment of trying to raise funds for Blagojevich  —  U.S. Sen. Roland Burris' failure to fully disclose his ties to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has put his future in the Senate …

The Face of Shrillness  —  (updated below - Update II - Update III)  —  This Fox News interview with Virg Bernero — the Mayor of highly unionized Lansing, Michigan and himself the son of a retired GM worker — is, for several reasons, really worth watching (h/t Brainwrap).

TOP 10 REASONS PRESIDENT BARACK H. OBAMA IS NOTHING LIKE TRAVIS THE CHIMP  —  10. Travis understood TurboTax  —  9. Obama somewhat less likely to attack Biden  —  8. Travis never lied  —  7. Obama's smile not quite as genuine  —  6. Travis could get through entire day without teleprompter

How Low Will Newspapers' Ad Revenues Go?  —  When Arthur Sulzberger Jr. refused to talk to his own reporter about the financial condition of the New York Times Co., it was the latest sign of an industry in deep trouble.  —  After all, the Times is not only the nation's top-selling metropolitan daily …

Netanyahu, put your money where your mouth is  —  Why isn't Benjamin Netanyahu setting up a right-wing government?  Why isn't he carrying out the voters' will to position the right wing in power?  Why isn't he taking the opportunity that fell into his hands to form a government in tune with his doctrine?

Washington Post runs George Will's newest column without issuing a correction for his last one.»  —  On Sunday, the Washington Post printed a climate change denial column by George Will that contained several demonstrable falsehoods.  Despite the loud chorus of critics pointing …

“Humane Alternatives”  —  Reading the pseudo-world-weary way in which some on the right in America still defend the use of torture, however euphemistically rephrased, always takes me back to Orwell.  Some want to define “actual” torture in ways that mean that freezing someone to near-death …

Betting on Bipartisanship  —  As far as most of Washington is concerned, Barack Obama's big talk about bipartisanship is kaput.  One month into his presidency, many pundits and political analysts have told him to drop it.  Get real, they say.  It bought you next to nothing on the stimulus bill.

Age of Deflation?  —  Stocks slid within striking distance of the November bear-market low on Tuesday, as grim manufacturing data signaled the recession is worsening and warnings on risks facing European banks underscored the continuing toll of the financial crisis:

Drowning by Fire Hose  —  “Suppose my neighbor's home catches fire, and I have a length of garden hose. . . . I don't say to him . . . ‘Neighbor, my garden hose cost me $15 . . .’ ”  —  “When the town is burning, you don't check party labels.  Everybody needs to grab a hose.”

Is the Administration Winging It?  —  Obama's reputation for competence is at risk.  —  Team Obama demonstrated remarkable discipline during the presidential campaign.  From raising an unprecedented amount of money to milking every advantage from the Internet to grabbing lots of delegates …

President Obama's Top Republican Ally  —  SACRAMENTO-While tensions are rising between President Obama and Congressional Republicans, California's Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is eager for more opportunities to partner with Obama on big issues like health care and energy.

Egyptian Political Dissident, Imprisoned for Years, Is Suddenly Released  —  CAIRO — Egypt's most prominent political dissident and a one-time presidential candidate, Ayman Nour, was unexpectedly released from prison on Wednesday after the United States and European governments had pressed for years to have him set free.

Modifying Mortgages Can Be Tricky  —  MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — When her brother could no longer help support her, Luzetta Reeves asked her small mortgage company to cut her monthly payments.  It did — by 11 percent — making it possible for her to afford her house here on her modest fixed income.

Going to war with the Yanks  —  Like most of the media-saturated world, I sat captivated in front of my television on Jan. 20 listening to President Barack Obama's inaugural speech, thinking of the new era being ushered in.  —  Being military, I have often had the occasion to work closely …