The Israeli attack on Gaza appears to have been timed to create facts on the ground before Obama takes office. With many analysts on both sides arguing that, basically, neither side is exhausted enough to make peace, Israeli leaders figured …

So reports Mike Allen: "Democratic consultant Doug Hattaway, who developed a close relationship with Senator Clinton while traveling on her campaign during the campaign, is likely to get the podium at the State Department, joining Robert Gibbs as the administration’s …

Dianne Feinstein, reminding us (again) that senior senators don’t have a lot of fear, says Burris should be seated, on procedural grounds.

Jeb Bush gives an interesting interview to the L.A. Times’s Peter Wallsten:

Bush pledged to be involved in rebuilding the Republican Party by advocating conservative ideas and policies. But in a written statement, he also called on his fellow Republicans …

Mike Lux soothes the left regarding Obama appointments.

Steve Coll makes the case against Panetta.

Chris Nelson has the State Department job chatter, which includes Princeton’s Anne-Marie Slaughter.

Tom Geoghegan thrills the intellectual left.

A Firedoglake blogger wonders if …

Not everybody on the left loves Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a friend reminds me.

Jeb Bush has decided not to run for the Senate in Florida, according to former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.

"He said it just wasn’t the right timing," Rubio said, recounting a phone call he received this afternoon from the former …

Joe Biden’s trip to "Southwest Asia," as it was originally announced, will send the Vice President-elect — in his mere Senate capacity, to be sure — through three of the countries with whom the Obama Administration is conducting its most …

Howard Kurtz has the day’s most entertaining scoop: CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta is on the road to being named Surgeon General.

Great politics, and a smart pick for a role that’s largely about communications.

And perhaps another snub for the other …

After a hostile reception from top members of the Senate Intelligence Committee of both parties yesterday, Barack Obama’s choice to head the CIA, Leon Panetta, is finding more allies today.

Former Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Senator Evan …