Are Independents Hedging Their Bets?  —  IF REPUBLICANS REALLY HAVE PULLED EVEN AMONG INDEPENDENTS, IT'S AN OMINOUS SIGN FOR DEMOCRATS.  —  Just as the economic news was relentlessly negative until the last few days, poll numbers for Republicans were horrific for months.

Has a ‘Katrina Moment’ Arrived?  —  A CHARMING visit with Jay Leno won't fix it.  A 90 percent tax on bankers' bonuses won't fix it.  Firing Timothy Geithner won't fix it.  Unless and until Barack Obama addresses the full depth of Americans' anger with his full arsenal of policy smarts and political gifts …

Dollar Declines Most Since 1985 Plaza Accord on Fed Bond Buying  —  The dollar dropped the most against the currencies of six major U.S. trading partners since the Plaza Accord almost a quarter-century ago as the Federal Reserve's plan to purchase Treasuries spurred speculation that it's debasing the greenback.

Biden pokes fun at his boss during Gridiron  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON - Vice President Joe Biden poked fun at Barack Obama's do-no-wrong reputation as he spoke at an annual white-tie gathering of journalists and top administration officials Saturday night.

Orlando Tea Party 032109  —  Additional pictures now posted at Bakerstreet.  —  I have more than a hundred pictures already cropped, so I'll put them all in the extended entry.  Rough estimate of 3,000 people showed up, and two people from the media that I saw.  —  Clearly I need a “Got Glock?” shirt!

Obama's Top 10 gaffes?  Not this one  —  Fair is fair - I have criticized the policies or pronouncements of President Obama when I thought appropriate, but here I call your attention to Toby Harnden's piece yesterday, “Top 10 gaffes by Barack Obama and Joe Biden.”  I'll not recount them here.

Could split contract solve Air Force tanker dispute?  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON — Despite opposition from the Pentagon , one of the most powerful members of the House Appropriations Committee is considering including a provision …

Military hangs ‘Help Wanted’ sign in Afghanistan  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON - The military buildup in Afghanistan is stoking a surge of private security contractors despite a string of deadly shootings in Iraq in recent years that has called …

Obama Responds to Criticism From Cheney  —  President Obama hit back at the former vice president, calling Bush administration policy on detainees at the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, “unsustainable.”

U.S. missile strikes take heavy toll on Al Qaeda, officials say  —  Predator drone attacks in northwest Pakistan have increased sharply since Bush last year stopped seeking Pakistan's permission.  Obama may keep pace as officials speak of confusion in Al Qaeda ranks.

NYT: White House takes on executive pay  —  Government's plan will also target hedge funds, insurance companies  —  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration will call for increased oversight of executive pay at all banks, Wall Street firms and possibly other companies as part of a sweeping plan …

Obama Backs Geithner Despite Vast Criticisms  —  No Talk of Treasury Secretary Resigning, President Says in ‘60 Minutes’ Interview  —  Embattled Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner's job is safe and the subject of resignation has not come up in his conversations with President Obama despite calls …

Protest Bust: Lots Of Media, Just One Bus Of Protesters  —  Ed note: Our embed Rhys Southan is following today's AIG protest from the inside.  His first dispatch can be found here.  —  Several hours after the protest was set to begin, it's looking like today's much-hyped protest against AIG (AIG) and its execs is a total bust.

Executives Lay Out Compromise to ‘Card Check’ Labor Bill  —  As business and labor gird for battle over legislation that would make it easier for workers to organize, the debate could be transformed by a “third way” proposed by three companies that like to project a progressive image: Costco, Starbucks and Whole Foods.