2009 Here We Go

NOTE: The picture is of the Samsung big-screen over Times Square in New York City.  We put a Happy New Year message up there just for you.  Here's to 2009!

WSJ: Israeli tanks and troops pushed deep into the Gaza Strip Sunday, committing to a large-scale ground invasion that risks significant casualties on both sides, but also departs sharply from the playbook used in Israel's largely unsuccessful war against Hezbollah in Lebanon two years ago.  More...

Guardian: Obama is losing a battle he doesn't know he's in.  The president-elect's silence on the Gaza crisis is undermining his reputation in the Middle East.  More...

Politico: Aiming to foster bipartisan support for his record-setting economic stimulus, President-elect Obama plans to propose huge tax cuts for businesses and middle-class workers that will total about 40 percent of the package, or up to $310 billion, congressional officials said.  More...

Politico: President-elect Barack Obama’s record-setting stimulus plan — the biggest special spending bill in history — is getting such astonishingly quick treatment from House Democrats that officials say it could go from draft to final passage in one week.  More...

AP: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday announced that he was withdrawing his nomination to be President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative state contract.  More...

Reuters: Reid cites "legal authority" to bar Illinois pick.  More...

Politico: Senate Dems in tough spot on Burris.  More...

AP: Franken leads as Minnesota recount nears finish line.  More...

Politico: A guide to the RNC chairman race.  More...

Hill: Ideology steers RNC chairman race.  More...

Politico: Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to head DNC.  More...

Wash. Post: Security Agencies Alter Strategies, Add Backup for Inauguration Week.  More...

AP: Good luck getting around D.C. on Inauguration Day.  More...

OPINION:

Cook: Change you can count on.  More...

Rove: Let's Be Worthy of Their Sacrifice.  More...