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.

The Geithner Plan FAQ  —  Q: What is the Geithner Plan?  —  A: The Geithner Plan is a trillion-dollar operation by which the U.S. acts as the world's largest hedge fund investor, committing its money to funds to buy up risky and distressed but probably fundamentally undervalued assets and …

WHY I AM DEPRESSED  —  Victor Davis Hanson asks why so many Americans are depressed.  Suggesting five themes that might provide an answer, he thinks it might be more than the economy that explains our state of mind.  I agree, but none of Dr. Hanson's themes accounts for my despair.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Sen. Gregg says Obama budget will bankrupt US  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON - The top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee says the Obama administration is on the right course to save the nation's financial system.

Conservatism As Water  —  Via Dreher, Stewart Lundy talks of the nature of things and the lost art of living: … Teach us to care and not to care.  Teach us to sit still.

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.

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 …

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!