Cha, cha changes: Rep. Henry Waxman defeated Rep. John Dingell for the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and certain people are just giddy with the possibilities:

“This is huge for those who’ll want strong action on both climate change and clean energy and energy independence (and health care)” wrote Joseph Romm, a former Clinton energy adviser and a blogger for the Center for American Progress, a think tank headed by John Podesta, Bill Clinton’s former chief-of-staff. “Heck, it’s the second best piece of news on global warming this month!”

A new administration in the US means a whole new cast of cast of characters on the stage. Follow along as we track who's rumored to be going where and who lands the final positions in the Obama Administration.    Continues...

Marie Cocco argues that the glass ceiling for women in politics has not been cracked, let alone scratched:

This is where that record places us: on a par with the legislative representation women have achieved in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The United Nations, which tracks women's global political advancement, says that at this rate, it will take women in the developing world 40 years to reach parity with men.

That moment so many Democrats dreamed of is here: Vice-President Dick Cheney has been indicted by the Justice Department a Willacy County DA for high crimes, treason and obstruction of justice a ridiculous reason.

Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens, lord of the tubes and convicted felon has lost his bid for re-election.

This morning, Obama addressed the Governors Global Climate Summit over video:

"Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high. The consequences, too serious. Stopping climate change won't be easy. It won't happen overnight. But I promise you this: When I am president, any governor who's willing to promote clean energy will have a partner in the White House. Any company that's willing to invest in clean energy will have an ally in Washington. And any nation that's willing to join the cause of combating climate change will have an ally in the United States of America."

Yesterday the US House and Senate began debate on aid for the American auto industry. Today industry execs will be on Capital Hill, testifying (starting at 3pm EST) as to why they should get that $25 billion.

to the people who need help the most. An incredibly moving story about Altgeld Gardens on Chicago's South Side, where Obama did his early organizing work.

The US Senate begins its lame duck session today, on a down note:

...the prospects of enacting an auto industry bailout and a broader economic stimulus package have dwindled throughout the week and at this point both are basically being put off until January. Earlier in the week, there was some indication that the unemployment benefits extension, despite last week’s worse-than-expected numbers, was going to be held hostage to the auto industry bailout or the broader stimulus package, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.

Obama sits down with 60 minutes for his first post election interview.

As Missouri still struggles through the official election count, one of its counties flips from red to blue. The switch leaves experts stumped, but a closer look reveals a simple answer:

For William Wilson, who at 58 years old lifts weights and drag races on weekends, supporting Obama was a simple economic equation.

"I've always done better with a Democrat in the White House," he said.

I knew I couldn't be the only one who'd thought of it. Salon on John McCain's future.

"Making it about democracy, defense and development. We're at the beginning of that historical transformation, and yes, sometimes it's lonelier at the beginning than at the end."

-Condoleezza Rice, in a IHT interview

Let the jokes begin: The Australia sex industry forms its own party.

The Utne Reader has some suggestions.

Facing Obama, Iran Suddenly Hedges on Talks

Speculation is high that Hillary Clinton is being considered for Secretary of State, to the bafflement of some.

Obama's plans for probing Bush torture: President Bush could pardon officials involved in brutal interrogations -- but he may also face a sweeping investigation under the new president.

Remember that story citing unnamed sources saying Palin didn't know Africa was a contient? The source has come forward and it's "Martin Eisenstadt, a McCain policy adviser." Not only is this person not real, but also an elaborate hoax.

Glad the elections are over? Six places in America don't know how that feels.

The G-20 is to meet this weekend and discuss fixing the global crisis. Expectations are low, since President-Elect Obama will not be attending, though several people are attending on his behalf. There are a few suggestions on how to fix things, while others scoff.

In the wake of losing control of both legislative houses and the presidency, Republicans are discussing what they need to do to rebuild their party and who among them should lead the way. They launched a new website today. On the radio, To The Point invited Republican thinkers of different viewpoints to discuss the future direction of the GOP. In print, the Wall Street Journal published editorials discussing the same question.    Continues...

Bush Spy Revelations Anticipated When Obama Is Sworn In

AskPoliticalFilter: I like opencongress.org and the way it focuces on various bills going through the American government. Are there similar sites for other countries, including, but not limited to Canada, Australia or Britian?

Despite his endorsement of John McCain at the RNC convention and impassioned calls for punishment, Joe Lieberman isn't out in the cold yet.