Lindsey Graham warns GOP against going too far right  —  The morning after Republicans lost an upstate New York House seat, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) warned that conservative activists will bring destruction to the Republican Party if they drive out moderate candidates across the country.

Independent voters big for GOP; Democrats maintain black vote  —  A big share of independent voters on Tuesday has Republicans optimistic about 2010, but some resiliency in the African-American vote could stunt their gains.  —  Exit polling data from the governors' races in New Jersey …

House leaders prepare for rare Saturday vote on health-care bill  —  CBO: GOP measure would cover few uninsured  —  House leaders put in motion the machinery to hold a rare Saturday vote on the most far-reaching expansion of the health-care system in more than 40 years.

Prejean Sex Tape Triggers Settlement  —  Carrie Prejean demanded more than a million dollars during her settlement negotiations with Miss California USA Pageant officials — that is, until the lawyer for the Pageant showed Carrie an XXX home video of her handiwork.

Morning Fix: Courting Sarah Palin  —  1. The news that Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk (R) is actively seeking the backing of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin in his Senate primary race is the latest evidence of the power the 2008 vice presidential nominee carries — thanks to the fact that she has become the voice of the angry right.

Letter to Reid on healthcare from former Surgeon General Koop shuts Senate  —  A letter about healthcare reform to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) from former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop triggered a security scare that briefly shut down much of the Senate on Wednesday.

Huckabee, Romney, Palin See Most Republican Support for '12  —  Huckabee, Romney viewed as most qualified of possible Republican presidential candidates  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Looking ahead to the 2012 presidential election, 71% of Republicans say they would seriously consider voting for Mike Huckabee.

Sen. Snowe: Tuesday's results ‘certainly gives pause on how you approach’ health reform - Yanks are world champs  —  BIRTHDAYS: Autumn Hanna VandeHei, the hottest and smartest wife-mother-friend (boot tip: Jimmy) ... Sloan Rappaport big 4-0 birthday (hat tip: Margaret and Freddie) …

Pelosi dismisses Dem losses in Virginia and New Jersey  —  Most House Democrats tried to put a good face on Tuesday's election results, saying they picked up two more votes for a sweeping health care bill that could be on the floor as early as Friday.  —  But it can't make it any easier …

Kerik Expected to Accept Prison Term in Corruption Case  —  Bernard B. Kerik, New York City's former police commissioner, is expected to plead guilty on Thursday to a single conspiracy charge in an agreement that would resolve the three pending federal criminal trials he faces in New York and Washington …

As Inhofe's Climate Bill Boycott Continues, Kerry, Graham, Lieberman Try End-Around  —  Colorless, odorless, invisible, deadly.  GOP senators boycott Tuesday's climate bill markup.  (photo via talkradionews)  —  James Inhofe (R-OK) appeared briefly today at a climate bill markup …

Axelrod to ABC News on Voters' Economic Anxiety: “There is a Heavy Burden That Falls on the Governing Party.  That's Just Something You Accept.  That's Part of the Deal”  —  This afternoon we spoke with White House senior adviser David Axelrod about the election results.

Dick Armey Is Back on the Attack  —  I.  —  At sunset on a September evening, Dick Armey, the former House majority leader, strode to a lectern set up in the parking lot of a Harley-Davidson dealership in Hickory, N.C., where about 300 people had gathered to hear him speak.