Obama Visiting The Hill Today President Obama is headed to Capitol Hill today to work with lawmakers on crafting his economic stimulus plan. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that Obama wants to hear lawmakers' ideas, and will take good ones into consideration.Minnesota Trial Continues Today The Minnesota election trial is continuing all day today, beginning at 10 a.m. ET in St. Paul. Yesterday was very interesting to say the least, with the Coleman campaign having been revealed to be using altered evidence -- they say the changes were accidental -- and we'll see how today turns out. The pooled video feed is easily available at The Uptake.Coleman Going On Hannity Tonight Norm Coleman will be appearing on Fox News tonight, for an interview with Sean Hannity. This should be interesting.Blago Impeachment Trial Keeps Moving To the southeast of Minnesota, the Illinois state Senate's impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich is also going into its second day. The state Senate will be hearing from FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain, who will review wiretaps allegedly showing Blago shaking down horse-racing industry officials for campaign money, as Blagojevich himself continues to boycott the trial.Mitchell In Egypt Today President Obama's new Middle East envoy George Mitchell has arrived in Cairo for his tour of the Middle East today, a mission to help solidify the Gaza ceasefire and to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Mitchell will be traveling through Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, France and Britain.Gillibrand To Be Sworn In Today Senator-designate Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will be sworn in today as the newly-appointed occupant of Hillary Clinton's former Senate seat. Gillibrand will be sworn in by Vice President Biden in the afternoon.NYT: Geography Divides Dems On Energy The New York Times reports that the energy debate is revealing divides among Democrats between those from the coasts, who are more favorable to environmentalists, and the industry-frie...

Sure, Former DNC Chairman & Businessman Terry McAuliffe has to clear the decks in the Democratic primary.  Brian Moran & Creigh Deeds are grumpy Richmond-heavy fellas that don’t like the charming Mr. McAuliffe coming in and messing up their little “it’s my turn” party…. but so what?  If the establishment of either party were remotely competent - Hillary or McCain would have been president right now. So, let’s set that to the side.  Look, I am a Republican.  Once upon a time I was a Virginia voter… and much as I love the Fitzhugh Mafia - they best get Bob McDonnell up to speed, despite his status as sitting Attorney General - Terry McAuliffe is the happiest warrior on the Left.  He’s got more mojo in his smile than the high wattage of Barack Obama.  And… if Tim Kaine’s droll nature got elected… and Mark  Warner can ride the ‘Warner” coat-tails for the bestter part of the last decade…. Terry McAuliffe must be taken seriously.Condescension has its place.  But so does tone.  Ideas matter.  Listening matters.  Get McDonnell outside of the Chesapeake box - get him out of the evangelical call-center - introduce him to the rest of Virginia.  You can bet Terry McAuliffe will be everywhere.Below is his first TV ad.  Not a hint of his longtime authority in the ‘establishment.’   In the interest of full disclosure - I have met both gentlemen.  McDonnell in the trenches during the 2000 Campaign, and McAuliffe at The Caucus Room (the restaurant he & Haley Barbour were among original investors in) - along with then newly minted Senator George Allen, and the delightful then-Senator Fred Thompson - at a party hosted by Bill Maher… who was in town filming “Politically Incorrect” at Howard University. McDonnell is smart, serious, accomplished - former military man, devoted husband & father.  McAuliffe has been a partisan since age 22, when during the Carter campaign he wrestled an alligato...

Blog: Terry McAuliffe's first TV ad is up. It uses the word "job" a lot, and the word "Clinton" not at all, though you

Blog: Terry McAuliffe's first TV ad is up. It uses the word "job" a lot, and the word "Clinton" not at all, though you