MSNBC Anchor Frets: Why Hasn't Obama's Election Ended Terrorism?  —  File this one under “Deluded Expectations.”  During MSNBC's coverage of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, daytime anchor Alex Witt seemed frustrated that the election of Barack Obama 23 days earlier …

Pardon Is Back in Focus for the Justice Nominee  —  WASHINGTON — In the much praised career of Eric H. Holder Jr., President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be attorney general, there is one notable blemish: Mr. Holder's complicated role in the 2001 pardon of Marc Rich, a billionaire financier …

The Sovereignty Dodge  —  What Pakistan Won't Do, the World Should  —  “We don't think the world's great nations and countries can be held hostage by non-state actors,” Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said yesterday.  Fair enough.  But what is the world to do when those non-state actors operate …

Franken May Ask Senate to Intervene in Minn. Recount  —  Democrat Al Franken's campaign said Monday that as many as 1,000 absentee ballots were improperly disqualified in Minnesota's Senate race, and that it may appeal to courts or the U.S. Senate to order that those ballots be counted.

Congratulations, It's A Recession  —  Economists give birth to a 1-year- old downturn.  So when do things get better?  —  Good news.  The keeper of the business cycle books, the National Bureau of Economic Research, announced Monday what economists have been saying for a long time—this is a recession.

Broader medical refusal rule may go far beyond abortion  —  The Bush administration plans a new ‘right of conscience’ rule that would allow more workers to refuse more procedures.  Critics say it could apply to artificial insemination and birth control.  —  Reporting from Washington …

Afghan Strategy Poses Stiff Challenge for Obama  —  WASHINGTON — One of the most difficult challenges President-elect Barack Obama's national security team faces is Mr. Obama's vow to send thousands of American troops to help defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan.

NO MANDATE FOR LIBERAL-NDP-SEPARATIST BACKROOM COALITION  —  On October 14, 2008 Canadians rendered a clear judgment in the Federal Election.  —  Stephen Harper and the Conservatives promised strong, certain leadership to protect Canada's future in a time of unprecedented turmoil.

Palin Does Georgia: What Does It Mean?  —  PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — As the Fix prepared to head back east to the frigid and snowy east (booo!) yesterday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was barnstorming the state of Georgia on behalf of Sen. Saxby Chambliss, whose political fate hangs in the balance of today's runoff.

Fiscal Policy Puzzles  —  As a student of Alan Blinder, Larry Summers, and Stanley Fischer, I was trained to view the short-run effects of fiscal policy through the lens of Keynesian macroeconomic theory.  I am sure that many of the economists in the new Obama administration share that intellectual framework.

Sink not running against Martinez  —  One of the Democrats' leading candidates to challenge Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) in 2010 has decided to pass up the opportunity, according to a source familiar with her decision.  —  Florida's chief financial officer, Alex Sink, has decided to run …

Bill Clinton mentioned for wife's Senate seat  —  CNN Deputy Political Director  —  (CNN) — After eight years as senator from New York, Hillary Clinton is trading places, moving from Congress to the incoming administration.  —  On Monday, President-elect Barack Obama announced that he asked …

David Gregory To Moderate “Meet The Press”  —  David Gregory will take the reins as moderator of NBC's “Meet the Press,” the Huffington Post has learned.  Gregory has been a leading contender for the permanent spot since Tom Brokaw stepped in as interim moderator following Tim Russert's death in June.

Federal Reserve Policies in the Financial Crisis  —  It is a privilege for me to be here in Texas, and I would like to thank the Austin Chamber for hosting this luncheon.  The Texas economy is strong and diversified, accounting for more than a trillion dollars of output last year.

Jones gives hope to energy companies  —  President-elect Barack Obama's choice for national security adviser, retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones, is giving hope to energy companies that backed Republican John McCain that their concerns may still get an airing in the new administration.

Lost Illusions  —  It's been fascinating, but also disheartening, to watch the mainstream media completely miss the real story about the 60-hour terrorist rampage in Mumbai, India — which may have killed as many as 300 people, and has certainly injured hundreds more.

Bailout Monitor Sees Lack of a Coherent Plan  —  The head of a new Congressional panel set up to monitor the gigantic federal bailout says the government still does not seem to have a coherent strategy for easing the financial crisis, despite the billions it has already spent in that effort.

Why defend freedom of icky speech?  —  This is a bit long.  Apologies.  I'd meant to talk about other things, but I started writing this reply this morning and got a bit carried away.  —  I have questions about the Handley case.  What makes lolicon something worth defending?