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What Does One Get a Queen? — President and First Lady Obama gave Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II a video iPod with inscription, songs uploaded and accessories, plus a rare musical songbook signed by Richard Rodgers. — Uploaded onto the iPod: — Photos from the Queen's 2007 White House State Visit
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Confirmed: Queen's iPod includes Obama's speeches — Hey, you never know when Hopenchange fee-vah might strike. She could be sitting there, listening to show tunes, and suddenly think, “You know what I'm in the mood for? Obama's 2004 convention speech.” Only a quick menu-scroll away.


Global Leaders Meeting to Resolve Rift on Economic Plan — LONDON — Britain predicted on Thursday that world leaders would bridge their differences on steps to recover from the deepest global economic downturn since World War II, as President Obama and his counterparts from more than 20 industrial …
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Obama Hits Resistance at G-20
Discussion:
The Note, The Hill, Guardian, Washington Times, Associated Press, FP Passport, Los Angeles Times, The New Republic and Real Time Economics

NYT asks: ‘Obama trying to muzzle press?’
Discussion:
The Swamp

We're Not Keeping Score, but... LONDON — Is President Obama trying …
Discussion:
New York Times, Hot Air, Political Machine, Alex Conant, PoliticalBase.com Blog and On Deadline

Justice on Stevens — Attorney General Eric Holder has decided that the Justice Department should abandon the corruption conviction secured against former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. The bombshell decision has nothing to do with the merits of the case against Stevens-it stems from a recognition …
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Holder vs. OLC: The Washington Post story linked by Orin below, if accurate, suggests that the new Administration has not ended the politicization of the Department of Justice. According to the Post account, Holder sought to circumvent an unfavorable OLC opinion by seeking a more favorable answer …


Franken puts Pawlenty in a jam — The legal fight between Al Franken and Norm Coleman is headed to the desk of Gov. Tim Pawlenty — a no-win predicament for a Minnesota Republican with his eye on a White House run in 2012. — Franken won big Tuesday when a three-judge panel allowed …

THE RIGHT WON'T LET THE TAX FAIRY GO.... The National Review's Andy McCarthy had an item yesterday, which was not an April Fools' joke, and which served as a helpful reminder of why discussing tax policy with conservative activists tends to be frustrating.
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The President Is ‘Keeping Score’ — Chicago politics has moved into the White House. — “Don't think we're not keeping score, brother.” That's what President Barack Obama said to Rep. Peter DeFazio in a closed-door meeting of the House Democratic Caucus last week, according to the Associated Press.


White House Cheat Sheet: The Rise, Fall and Rise of Tim Geithner — As the G-20 global economic summit formally commences today in London, the break out star of the gatherings may not be President Obama but rather his treasury secretary Tim Geithner. — Geithner ran the gauntlet …
Discussion:
The Buzz

Senate rejects controversial fast-track budget procedure — WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Senate overwhelmingly voted Wednesday not to use a fast-track budget procedure to pass President Obama's “cap and trade” plan to combat global warming. — The vote was a victory for Republicans …


Commentary: Is Obama skidding or crashing? — Editor's note: Penn Jillette — the larger, louder half of Penn & Teller — is a magician, comedian, actor, author and producer. — (CNN) — Counterintuitive action makes a fellow feel smart. When I first got my driver's license …
Discussion:
Don Surber


And Then They Came for Koh ... If mainstream America can't stand up for Harold Koh, we will get precisely the government lawyers we deserve. — It's 11:45 a.m. on April 1, and if you run a Google News search on Harold Koh, dean of Yale Law School and President Obama's pick for legal adviser …
Discussion:
New York Times, The Plum Line, The Huffington Post, The Huffington Post, Talking Points Memo and Fox News


PA: Death to those who sell land to Jews — Article's topics: Palestinian Authority, Jerusalem, Salaam Fayad — The Palestinian Authority has issued yet another warning to Palestinians against selling their homes or properties to Jews, saying those who violate the order would be accused of …
Discussion:
Israel Matzav

Lugar Urges Obama to Open Talks With Cuba, Ease Restrictions — With momentum building in Congress for a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, Sen. Richard G. Lugar called on President Obama to appoint a special envoy to initiate direct talks with the island's communist government …


Thurbert Baker to enter 2010 race for governor — Twelve-year Attorney General Thurbert Baker will enter the 2010 race for governor, a move that could make the Democratic side of the contest every bit as complicated as the Republican one. — Jeff DiSantis, acting as a spokesman for Baker …

Ed Schultz gets a new show on MSNBC: “The Ed Show” — Keith Olbermann just announced on Countdown that Ed Schultz has a new show on MSNBC. It starts Monday at 6PM EST and it's called “The Ed Show” — UPDATE: Here's some of the press release. … It's good to see that David Shuster will still be part of their lineup.

Obama Working With 61% Approval on Foreign Affairs — President does less well on the economy and the deficit — USA - Foreign Affairs - Government and Politics - Leadership - Presidential Ratings - The Presidency - Americas - Northern America — PRINCETON, NJ — President Barack Obama …

Now Murphy by Just 25? — ALBANY—Jim Tedisco is closing the gap, his people say, and the Assembly minority leader now trails by 25 votes. — I was on the phone with aide Bill Sherman, when I heard cheers coming from behind him at the Republican State Committee headquarters on State Street.
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Israeli Minister Dismisses Peace Effort — JERUSALEM — In a blunt and belligerent speech on his first day as Israel's new foreign minister, the hawkish nationalist Avigdor Lieberman declared Wednesday that “those who wish for peace should prepare for war” and that Israel was not obligated …
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