Private Sector Improves Jobs Picture Only Moderately  —  The United States economy ended the year by adding 103,000 jobs in December, the Labor Department said Friday, a number that missed expectations.  In addition, the unemployment rate fell to 9.4 percent last month from 9.8 percent.

Rudy gearing up for DC run  —  Confident that he'd have a chance to win, Rudy Giuliani is rounding up his top political advisers for a possible 2012 presidential run, sources tell Page Six.  —  Sources say the tough-talking former mayor “thinks the Republican race will be populated …

A Shift in Tactics, Not in Ideology  —  WASHINGTON — Most of the talk in Democratic circles on Thursday, after it became known that President Obama had chosen William M. Daley as his chief of staff, was of going back to the 1990s.  The consensus was that Mr. Obama, who once held himself …

Gallup Poll: U.S. split on health care law repeal  —  WASHINGTON — Americans are closely divided over whether the new Republican-controlled House should vote to repeal the health care law that was enacted just last year, a Gallup Poll finds.  —  But partisans on both sides are united …

Two Members Appear to Break Rules on First Day of New Congress  —  Two House Republican members, Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick and Pete Sessions, missed their swearing in on Wednesday as they attended a fundraiser in Fitzpatrick's honor at the U.S. Capitol.  These two not-quite-yet Congressmen …

Parts of the Constitution inadvertently skipped in ‘historic reading’ on floor  —  The U.S. Constitution has still never been read in its entirety and in order on the House floor.  —  During Thursday morning's “historic reading,” one member apparently skipped Article 4 Section 4 and part …

The Texas Omen  —  These are tough times for state governments.  Huge deficits loom almost everywhere, from California to New York, from New Jersey to Texas.  —  Wait — Texas?  Wasn't Texas supposed to be thriving even as the rest of America suffered?  Didn't its governor declare …

Pawlenty: Sarah Palin Is a ‘Force of Nature’  —  Although former Gov. Tim Pawlenty no longer holds the executive seat in Minnesota, that doesn't mean he is hanging up his political hat for good.

U.S. Sends Warning to People Named in Cable Leaks  —  WASHINGTON — The State Department is warning hundreds of human rights activists, foreign government officials and businesspeople identified in leaked diplomatic cables of potential threats to their safety and has moved a handful …

In U.S., 46% Favor, 40% Oppose Repealing Healthcare Law  —  Three-quarters of Republicans favor repeal; 64% of Democrats oppose it  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans do not strongly endorse the new Republican House majority's efforts to repeal the landmark healthcare legislation passed last year.

Junior Senate Dems want chairmen to face election by secret ballot  —  Senate Democrats elected in 2006 and 2008 are challenging the internal caucus procedures that have allowed veteran lawmakers to lock up committee chairmanships for years on end.  —  A group of junior Democratic senators …

Reports: John Edwards engaged to Rielle Hunter  —  Former presidential candidate John Edwards is engaged to longtime mistress Rielle Hunter, according to a report.  —  The Jan. 17 issue of the National Enquirers says that the ex-North Carolina senator asked the mother of his lovechild …

EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Lamar Smith issues first DOJ oversight letter  —  Right Turn has obtained the first oversight letter from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued to the Justice Department.  While he was in the minority, Smith labored, largely unsuccessfully …

Obama threatens to veto healthcare repeal  —  President Obama officially drew a line in the sand Thursday evening, threatening to veto House Republicans' attempt to repeal Obama's landmark healthcare law.  —  In a statement of administration policy released by the Office of Management and Budget …