Odds and Ends

Anyone still reading this blog? Either way, I'm back. Here's what I missed...

Scooter Libby's trial enters its second day, with a spotlight on Cheney.

Freshmen Senator Jim Webb will deliver the Democratic rebuttal to the State of the Union.

Democrats are seeking to correct their reputation as extreme on many issues, such as abortion: "In their first days in session, Senate Democratic leaders reintroduced a bill that they said was indicative of their new approach: the Prevention First Act, which seeks to reduce the number of abortions by expanding access to birth control, family planning and sex education." They are also reaching out on economic issues and other issues like stem-cell research. Of course, such common-sense policies are only newsworthy because they've been wholly absent from our politics for the past six years.

Congress is keeping an eye on White House's moves toward Iran and won't be fooled again.

The new It-Senator, Barack Obama, is one step closer to announcing a presidential run.

On the GOP side, anti-immigration congressman Tom Tancredo is also thinking about it.