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- Barack Obama is dispatching Madeline Albright and former Republican Representative Jim Leach to the G-20 summit to represent the incoming administration. Read Tim's impressions here.
- Adam points to a Washington Post story that contradicts yesterday's WSJ piece on Obama's plans to overhaul the intelligence community and observes that "If Obama does intend to replace Hayden and McConnell, it's hard to see that as an endorsement of their methods." In another must-read, Time looks at Obama's expressed intent to close Gitmo and calls it easier said than done, even for the POTUS.
- Max Baucus has presented a white paper for a universal -- yes, universal -- health care proposal. Paul Krugman loves it. Let the peerless Ezra Klein guide you through the plan and the politics.
- Politico has a great piece on Nancy Pelosi's stewardship of the U.S. House and it isn't shy about describing the power she wields: "From top to bottom, she is a controlling presence in the House -- Pelosi forbids her staff to use the word "I" in speeches. Pelosi has called politics "a free hedge-clipping service," meaning that any pols who seek too much attention will get their head handed to them."
- Ben Smith shares an overlooked Election Day milestone: "The New Hampshire Senate became the first state legislative body in the country with a majority-female membership."
- The Caucus reports that the policy initiatives (issues pages) located at change.gov have disappeared only to be replaced by more vague statement of priorities. Hmm. The policy proposals at barackobama.com remain intact, however.
- The Bidens will be touring their new home tomorrow, at the invitation of the Cheneys. I think the vice president-elect ought to bring Pat Leahy along for fun.
- Michigan GOP head and household name Saul Anuzis is angling for the RNC chairmanship, while the ever-energetic Fred Thompson is being encouraged to consider running for the position. If 'ol Fred runs the national GOP as well as his presidential campaign, the Democrats are looking at being in the majority for a long, long, time.
--Mori Dinauer
