FROM THE BLOGS:
Congress Delays Rove Subpoena Deadline - Z. Roth, TPM Muckraker
Promising Elections in Iraq - Daniel Halper, contentions
The Other Republican Officials - Steve Benen, Political Animal
What If You Don't Create Wealth? - KagroX, Daily Kos
Obama's Stealth Defense Cuts - Josh Painter, RedState
Popped in the Nose - Carol Platt Liebau, Townhall.com
Republican Is the New Punk - Doug TenNapel, Big Hollywood
Senate GOP May Filibuster Stimulus - Jon Perr, Crooks and Liars
Obama: We Cannot Let Politics… - Allahpundit, Hot Air
Best Choice May Be a Republican - Nate Silver, FiveThirtyEight
60 by the End of February? - Chris Bowers, Open Left
Quagmire in Senate for Stimulus? - Noam Scheiber, The Plank
Change - Dan Riehl, Riehl World View
Enough? - Jennifer Rubin, contentions

OTHER NEWS SOURCES:
U.S. Pulls Back as Iraqis Vote - NY Times
Official: Gregg Leading Candidate for Commerce - Associated Press
Reports: Ex-Sen. Daschle Failed to Pay Taxes - The Hill
Steele Focuses on Three Critical Races in Rebuilding GOP - Fox News

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) dubbed Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee Tom Daschle's tax error an "innocent" one today, issuing a statement in support of Daschle's nomination.

"Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error. I’ve known Tom Daschle for years and he is a man of great character and integrity who will do a superb job in helping us fix our healthcare system. I look forward to his speedy confirmation," said Kerry, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, which will vote on whether or not to recommend Daschle's confirmation to the entire upper chamber. > Read More

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.) has emerged as President Obama's top pick for Commerce secretary and could be nominated as early as Monday, according to several major news outlets citing an unnamed administration official.

Speculation has swirled around Gregg during the past week. The GOP senator confirmed on Friday that he was in the mix for the post, issuing a statement through his office.

Among the news outlets reporting his likely selection are the Associated Press, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and ABC News.

While Gregg's departure from the Senate would leave a GOP seat up for grabs, Gregg will not take a post in Obama's Cabinet unless he is assured that his replacement in the upper chamber will be a Republican, two Republicans who know Gregg well have told The Hill.

If nominated and confirmed, Gregg would fill the post originally slated for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who withdrew amid controversy over government contracts awarded to his political backers.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), in his weekly radio address to the nation, blasted the economic stimulus package passed by the House this week, accusing House Democrats of straying from President Obama's proposals.

"Republicans are committed to working with President Obama to steer Americans out of the current economic trouble," McConnell said, offering tax cuts and fixed-rate mortgages as the GOP's alternative to provisions in the House-passed package.

Watch the YouTube video of McConnell's address below:

President Obama, in his weekly radio/YouTube address to the nation this morning, pledged to work with both parties in the Senate to pass a stimulus package and said his administration is dedicated to alleviating Americans' economic struggles.

Watch the video below:

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), President Obama's nominee to be secretary of Health and Human Services, paid $140,167 in back taxes and interest while being considered for the Cabinet post, according to a Senate Finance Committee report obtained by Fox News.

Most of the tax errors related to Daschle's million-dollar-a-year consulting gig with InterMedia Advisors. Daschle did not pay taxes on the value of a Cadillac and driver provided by the company's owner, Democratic fundraiser and Daschle friend Leo Hindrey Jr., and some unreported consulting income. > Read More

A bipartisan (though largely Democratic) group of lawmakers will attend President Obama's Super Bowl party this Sunday, according to a list of confirmed guests released by the White House press office this afternoon.

Of the 15 lawmakers to attend, 3 hail from the GOP.

Both senators from Pennsylvania–home of the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers–will attend. Republican Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl of Arizona–home of the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals–will not be there.

See the full list, as released by the White House, below: > Read More

FROM THE BLOGS:
Steele Elected RNC Chairman - brownsox, Daily Kos
Do They Have the Votes on the Stimulus? - Elana Schor, TPMDC
Labor Takes its Pound of Flesh - Megan McArdle
Nothing to Apologize For - Jennifer Rubin, contentions
No Clue on Dems Supporting Stimulus - B. Faughnan, Weekly Standard
Recessed - Ryan Avent (Ezra Klein)
Labor's Day at the White House - Marc Ambinder
Deficits Don't Matter? - Ross Douthat
What 'Belongs' in the Stimulus? - Matthew Yglesias
Will Steele be Limbaugh Footsoldier? - A. Terkel, Think Progress
Primary Challenge for McCain? - Crisitunity, Swing State Project
Chairman Steele - Amanda Carpenter, Townhall
The Paradox of Philanthropy - Conor Clarke, Atlantic Business
Just How Big is this Stimulus? - Ed Morrissey, Hot Air

OTHER NEWS SOURCES:
Steele to Lead RNC as Party Chooses New Direction - The Hill
Obama Moves to Reverse Bush's Labor Policies - New York Times
Aretha Could Donate Hat to Smithsonian - Detroit Free Press
Obama: Recession is a 'Disaster' - Wall Street Journal

House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (Conn.) today introduced legislation that would create a congressionally appointed commission to examine the causes of the economic crisis.

The commission would report back to Congress within 90 days on what caused the crisis and what can be done to prevent its repetition.

"We have been addressing the symptoms of our financial crisis rather than curing the disease because we don’t have a good diagnosis. The American people have lost their homes, jobs and health care as this recession has hit communities across the country.  Journalists, pundits, lawmakers, and most importantly the American people have all raised the question of how we got here. We must answer those questions," Larson said.

The commission would also examine the tax and fiscal ramifications of the crisis.

Larson's bill has drawn eight cosponsors, all Democrats.

Newly-elected Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele promised to lead a "completely different" Republican Party, one that competes in each region of the country.

"It's time for something completely different, and we're going to bring it to them," Steele said in his acceptance speech following six rounds of ballots on Friday.

"We're going to bring this party to every corner, every board room, every neighborhood, every community," Steele promised in a speech pledging aggressive outreach to different regions of the country.

"To my friends in the northeast: Get ready, baby. It's time to turn it on, and work to do what we always do well — and that is win," the chairman said, referencing a geographic area in which Republicans have recently encountered electoral defeats. "We're going to win with a new storm in the midwest."

Steele said he would lead the "conservative party" in the United States.