Exclusive: Obama Would ‘Rather Be Really Good One-Term President’  —  Obama Tells Diane Sawyer That Health Care Bill Had Political Cost  —  President Obama, buffeted by criticism of his massive health care reform bill and election setbacks, said today he remained determined to tackle health care …

Obama Seeks Freeze on Many Domestic Programs  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama will call for a three-year freeze in spending on many domestic programs, and for increases no greater than inflation after that, an initiative intended to signal his seriousness about cutting the budget deficit, administration officials said Monday.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Lieberman: 'It's Possible' I Could Be ‘A Good Old-Fashioned New England Moderate Republican’  —  During the 2008 presidential campaign, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) supported Republican John McCain and attacked then-candidate Obama while speaking at the Republican National Committee.

Could Democrats Lose The Senate?  —  The decision by Beau Biden not to run for Senate brings to mind an historical parallel.  With no Biden in the race, with no Ted Kaufman serving another term, the Democratic candidate is likely to be New Castle County executive Chris Coons.

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.

Dem: Senate thinks it's ‘House of Lords’  —  The third-ranking House Democrat said the Senate thinks of itself as “a House of Lords” that is out of touch with voters.  —  Majority Whip James Clyburn's (D-S.C.) remarks are one of the most significant public shots taken at the Senate …

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 …

Levin: President Obama Could Address Gays in the Military During State of the Union Speech  —  ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: Will President Obama announce new policy regarding the sexual orientation of people serving in the military during his State of the Union address Wednesday?

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.

Steve Jobs delivers the annual presidential address.  —  Read all of Slate's coverage on the expected announcement of Apple's tablet computer. … —New York Times, Jan. 18, 2010 … Thank you for coming.  And thank you to President Obama for asking me to deliver this year's speech.

28 House Seats move toward GOP  —  After a stunning GOP Senate win in Massachusetts and a slew of new polls showing many Democratic incumbents in trouble, it's hard to argue with the obvious: the Republicans unquestionably have momentum as 2010 begins.  —  We are adding a dozen new seats …

Oscar Goodman decides not to run for governor  —  Las Vegas Mayor makes announcement at press conference at City Hall  —  Mayor Oscar Goodman laughs as he gives back microphones to television news reporters.  Goodman announced he will not be running for governor of Nevada during …

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 …

Defusing the Debt Bomb  —  Before it's too late.  —  “This cannot work,” says New Hampshire Republican Judd Gregg, “unless it's seen as totally bipartisan and fair.”  —  Gregg is the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee.  He is talking about his proposal, coauthored …

RNC ‘census’ mailer draws fire  —  Officials of both parties are sharply criticizing a fundraising mailing from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele they say could be confused with official correspondence regarding this year's census.  —  The fundraising letter comes in the form of a …

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.”

Public's Priorities for 2010: Economy, Jobs, Terrorism  —  Energy Concerns Fall, Deficit Concerns Rise  —  As Barack Obama begins his second year in office, the public's priorities for the president and Congress remain much as they were one year ago.  Strengthening the nation's economy …

Project for a Healthy American Future  —  The way forward on health care reform in 2010  —  About 16 years ago, William Kristol crafted a lengthy strategy memo for congressional Republicans, advising them on how best to deal with then-President Clinton's health care reform initiative.

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.

Specter apologizes to Bachmann  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Arlen Specter phoned Rep. Michele Bachmann Sunday night to apologize for telling her to “act like a lady” during a debate the two had on health care last Wednesday on a Philadelphia talk radio station.