The Democrats' New Normal  —  I don't usually like to comment on individual polls.  Most of the time, when a poll produces an “unusual” result, it simply reflects random noise and the best advice is to wait for the next edition of the poll to come along, when more often than not it will revert to its previous position.

Oval Office gets a makeover  —  While President Obama was on vacation, his West Wing office got a bit of a face lift, complete with a new rug, fresh wallpaper and paint, and new furniture — all done at no taxpayer expense, the White House says.  —  Details of the renovation were released to the pool reporter this morning.

Glenn Beck may be unlikely leader for conservative Christians  —  A few weeks before organizing a massive rally on the Mall that had the feel of a religious revival, Glenn Beck sought the blessing of some of the country's most prominent conservative Christian leaders.

Exclusive: Meghan McCain Writes that Palin Brought ‘Drama, Stress ... Panic’ to Campaign  —  Sen. John McCain's Daughter: Sarah Palin's Rise Was ‘Too Fast,’ ‘Too Easy’  —  For the first time since the end of her father's 2008 presidential bid, Meghan McCain, Sen. John McCain's daughter …

steve schale  —  Observations on the Land of 27 from one of its leading political strategists.  —  Charlie Crist will not be Florida's next United States Senator.  —  In a year where most predictions are downright silly, I am very confident in that one.  When Kendrick Meek won last Tuesday …

What Palin Did Friday Night  —  She celebrated the Jewish Sabbath.  —  Where was Sarah Palin last Friday night, before coming to Washington to speak at the Glenn Beck gathering Saturday?  —  She was a guest speaker at a Jewish “Shabbaton”—a Sabbath gathering for prayer, meals, songs …

Why Wall St. Is Deserting Obama  —  Daniel S. Loeb, the hedge fund manager, was one of Barack Obama's biggest backers in the 2008 presidential campaign.  —  A registered Democrat, Mr. Loeb has given and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Democrats.

Wealthy lawmakers increased their riches as economy sputtered in '09  —  The wealthiest members of Congress grew richer in 2009 even as the economy struggled to recover from a deep recession.  —  The 50 wealthiest lawmakers were worth almost $1.4 billion in 2009, about $85.1 million …

Lomborg wants $100bn climate fund  —  Exclusive ‘Sceptical environmentalist’ and critic of climate scientists to declare global warming a chief concern facing world  —  • Climate change voice who changed his tune  —  • Rajendra Pachauri under pressure to stand aside

ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: Two Men on United Flight from Chicago Arrested on ‘Preparation of a Terrorist Attack’ in Amsterdam  —  Suspects Had Been Cleared Sunday by TSA in Chicago, Birmingham Despite Security Concerns  —  Two men taken off a Chicago-to-Amsterdam United Airlines flight in the Netherlands …

CBO: Eight Years of Iraq War Cost Less Than Stimulus Act  —  As President Obama prepares to tie a bow on U.S. combat operations in Iraq, Congressional Budget Office numbers show that the total cost of the eight-year war was less than the stimulus bill passed by the Democratic-led Congress in 2009.

Lawrence O'Donnell is Dangerously Wrong About Social Security  —  Lawrence O'Donnell drank the Kool-Aid on Social Security a long time ago, probably from back when he worked for Daniel Patrick Moynihan in the 1990s.  Last night he showed a consistent ability to swallow myths about the most successful social program in American history.

Miller sees prospect of bad blood with fellow Republicans  —  Miller says he sees the prospect of bad blood with fellow Republicans.  —  Anchorage, Alaska (CNN) - As Republican Joe Miller eyes what could be a major victory in the Alaska Senate GOP primary, the upstart candidate believes it's possible …