Michelle Obama's Favorable Rating Eclipses Her Husband's  —  Both president and first lady are quite popular  — USA - Favorability - Government and Politics - Presidential Ratings - The Presidency - Americas - Northern America  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans have very positive impressions …

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.

Dodd Falls Way Behind As Approval Drops To Lowest Ever, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Are Angry At AIG Bonuses And Blame Dodd  —  Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd trails former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, a possible Republican challenger, 50 - 34 percent in the 2010 Senate race …

Former AIG chief says bailout ‘failed’  —  Former AIG CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg says the bailout has “failed” and he's proposing a 10-point alternative focused on saving, not breaking apart, the mega-insurer.  —  Greenberg will reveal his plan during a hearing before the House Oversight …

Romney breaks with GOP on the issue of deregulation  —  Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) said Wednesday that his party needs to take a fresh approach to government regulations in the wake of the economic crisis that has rattled the U.S. and world economies.

Sen. Stevens ‘got screwed’ by Justice  —  The Justice Department's stunning decision to drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) had GOP senators hailing the news as a vindication while government watchdogs fretted over the impact on other corruption cases against public officials.

Global Leaders Meet in Bid 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 …

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 …

Educating George Will  —  George F. Will today again displays his unbelievable ignorance about global warming : … First of all, nobody says that reducing carbon emissions will “reverse” global warming.  The point is merely to slow the process.  This is pretty fundamental.

Colbert weeps for Glenn Beck's sanity  —  Glenn Beck of Fox News astonished many viewers recently when he repeatedly reduced himself to tears while announcing his “9.12 Project” to save the nation.  —  However, Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert expressed only pleasure with Beck's performance.

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 …

Cantor: Dems “overreacting” to crisis[UPDATED]  —  GOP Whip Eric Cantor thinks his party can retake the House in next year's midterm elections — and accused Democrats of “overreacting” to the economic crisis by embarking on a federal spending spree.  —  UPDATED: I cleaned up the transcript …

THE OPPOSITE OF NO NUMBERS IS NOT IMAGINARY NUMBERS.  —  About a week ago, House Republicans emerged with a budget that was widely mocked because it contained no numbers and made no sense.  This week, Representative Paul Ryan is proposing a budget that will be widely mocked because the numbers it contains make no sense.

Earmarks of Scandal  —  Speaker Nancy Pelosi should listen to the wise Democrats who are pushing for an ethics inquiry into the far-too-cozy relationship between lawmakers and the PMA Group of superlobbyists.  —  The Justice Department is investigating whether PMA used illegal straw donors …

Gregg says he definitely won't run again  —  Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) has closed the door on seeking reelection next year.  —  Gregg, the ranking Republican on the Budget Committee, said he hasn't changed his mind about not seeking a fourth term in 2010, despite “good-natured” …

Dodd's numbers  —  Chris Dodd's plummeting numbers — he's now way behind in a head-to-head — reflect an interlocking set of problems, from his home in Ireland to his home in Des Moines, his ties to AIG to his role in the bail-out.  —  This threatens to turn a safe Democratic seat …