Too Dumb to Thrive  —  Absolutely amazing poll results from CNN today about the $787 stimulus package: nearly three out of four Americans think the money has been wasted.  On second thought, they may be right: it's been wasted on them.  Indeed, the largest single item in the package …

Obama to Offer Aid for Families in State of the Union Address  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama will propose in his State of the Union address a package of modest initiatives intended to help middle-class families, including tax credits for child care, caps on some student loan payments …

Berry: Obama said “big difference” between '10 and '94 is “me”  —  Rep. Marion Berry's parting shot, published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette [no link, subscription only] offers a warning to moderate Democrats and border state moderates — warning of a midterm bloodbath comparable to the 54-seat D-to-R swing in 1994.

The Bernanke Conundrum  —  A Republican won in Massachusetts — and suddenly it's not clear whether the Senate will confirm Ben Bernanke for a second term as Federal Reserve chairman.  That's not as strange as it sounds: Washington has suddenly noticed public rage over economic policies …

Obama's Approval Most Polarized for First-Year President  —  Shows much greater party differences than approval for any prior first-year president  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The 65 percentage-point gap between Democrats' (88%) and Republicans' (23%) average job approval ratings for Barack Obama …

Sources: John Edwards Has a Sex Tape  —  Sources have told us that, in the throes of their affair, John Edwards and Rielle Hunter made a sex tape that contains “several sex acts.”  And that his aide, Andrew Young found it on an unmarked DVD.  —  The tape, say both our sources …

Why did Beau Biden really drop out?  ; Update: Cook Political Report classifies DE-Sen. race “Solid Republican”  —  Daddy has been grooming Beau Biden for the Senate from time immemorial.  —  To smooth his son's path, Joe Biden installed his old crony aide, Edward Kaufman …

Obama Administration Steers Lucrative No-Bid Contract for Afghan Work to Dem Donor  —  The Obama administration this month awarded a $25 million federal contract for work in Afghanistan to a company owned by a prominent Democratic campaign contributor without entertaining competitive bids, Fox News has learned.

Dems' Bush-bashing goes bust  —  After three consecutive losses in statewide races, some top Democrats are questioning a tactic aimed at boosting the party's candidates in each of those contests: Bush-bashing.  —  Running as much against the Bush White House as he was running against Sen. John McCain …

The Recent Evidence of Astroturfing, Summarized  —  This post summarizes the evidence of Astroturfing by Obama supporters that surfaced over the weekend.  —  Astroturfing is phony “grassroots” activity.  The term refers to opinions that seem to be genuine — but, in reality, are directed by a Central Planner.

Dem Aides: House Members Can Still Be Persuaded To Pass Senate Bill With Fix  —  Hey all, here's something that could lend a bit of comfort to those still hoping the House will pass the Senate bill.  —  Senior aides on both sides tell me that despite Nancy Pelosi's claim that she doesn't have the votes …

South Carolina Republican regrets ‘stray animal’ metaphor  —  (CNN) - South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, under fire for drawing a comparison between needy people and “stray animals,” said Monday that he regrets his choice of words.  —  In a phone interview with CNN, Bauer …

Big Babyism  —  Listen to an enraged Independent: … If this is the basis for revolt, what can one say?  —  If Obama and Bush had refused to bail out the banks, does this small business owner believe she'd be in business at all?  Is she demanding - in a conservative outlet …

Maloney, Clay, McHenry criticize RNC ‘census’ mailer  —  A Republican National Committee “census” fundraising mailer I've written about a couple of times here is drawing bipartisan criticism, I report today:  —  Officials of both parties are sharply criticizing a fundraising mailing …

Of Fate and Fumbles  —  It has not been a good year for Obama, or for the progressive agenda.  But why?  Ignore all the pontificating about how Obama needed to focus differently, seek bipartisanship with people who have no interest in making a deal, etc.. The primary factor in Obama's troubles is …

Gibbs: Ed Schultz Misleads Viewers To “Get People To Watch His Show”  —  As you've probably heard, MSNBC's Ed Schultz revealed the other day that he'd torn into Robert Gibbs in a private conversation, telling him he's “full of sh*t” and that the Obama White House is “losing its base.”

How I'd Create a New ‘Contract With America’  —  Dear Fellow Americans:  —  During the past few months, a number of people have asked me about the possibility of a new Contract with America for the 2010 elections.  They remember the clarity, the positive focus, and the election results of the 1994 contract.

HEALTH CARE REFORM WON'T SAVE ME.  —  I'm asking for your help.  —  For several years I've, finally, been in the process of applying for Social Security Disability, something I desperately needed to do decades earlier, but wrongheadedly struggled to avoid as my life spiraled into hell.

LET'S PUT THEM SIDE BY SIDE.... Throughout the lengthy debate on health care reform, Republicans refused to negotiate in good faith.  Compromises were considered out of the question.  Blatantly, demonstrably false claims were the norm.  Perhaps worst of all, GOP leaders would embrace specific reform ideas …

Election 2010: Indiana Senate  —  Indiana Senate 2010: Pence (R) 47%, Bayh (D) 44%  —  Indiana Senator Evan Bayh is another Democratic incumbent who could find himself in a tough reelection battle this fall.  A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds …