Obama Presser Today; Expected To Name Richardson For Commerce
Barack Obama has a press conference scheduled for 11:40 a.m. ET in Chicago, at which he is expected to announce the nomination of Bill Richardson for Secretary of Commerce. This is another step in Obama's efforts to project the image of competent national leadership on the economy, in order to counteract the negative effects that the presidential interregnum seems to be having on the financial markets.

Biden And Napolitano To Receive Briefing On WMD
Joe Biden and Janet Napolitano will be in Washington this morning for a briefing from former Senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and Jim Talent (R-MO), who head up the Congressionally-created Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

Obama Still Looking For Intelligence Chief
The Washington Post points out that while Barack Obama has filled out most of his national-security team, he still faces tough choices in selecting his appointees to the intelligence posts. After John Brennan withdrew his name in the face of liberal opposition, current top names floating around are retired Navy Adm. Dennis Blair, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), and former Deputy Defense Secretary John Hamre.

Bush For Senate (Jeb, That Is) In 2010?
Jeb Bush says he is considering a run for Senate in 2010, for the open seat of retiring GOP Sen. Mel Martinez. On the one hand the Bush name at this point isn't exactly a positive in most of the country -- but Jeb himself still has a solid reputation in the state where he was governor, and would probably be a solid candidate for the GOP and even a slight favorite in this swing state.

Senate Dems Working On "Saxbe Fix" For Hillary
The New York Times reports that Senate Democrats were working last night on the so-called "Saxbe Fix" -- that is, to reverse a recent pay-raise for the Secretary of State in order to prevent Hillary Clinton from being ineligible for the office under the Emoluments Clause. The right-wing (and anti-Clinton) legal group Judicial Watch is already declaring her appointment unconstitutional, but expect this one to be resolved pretty easily and with a decent body of precedent in Hillary's favor.

Report: Becerra Considering Trade Representative Appointment, Hasn't Accepted Yet
Roll Call reports that Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) is considering -- but has not yet accepted -- an offer to become Barack Obama's trade representative. If he were to accept the offer, Becerra would have to give up 16 years of seniority in the House, which has earned him a seat on the Ways and Means Committee and the vice-chairmanship of the House Dem Caucus.

DC Council's Stimulus Plan: 24-Hour Bar Times For Inauguration
The DC City Council has passed legislation to allow bars to remain open for 24 hours a day from January 17 to the morning of January 21, right after the inauguration, with the ability to serve food the whole time and to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. This measure, which is being undertaken in order to boost the local economy and accommodate the expected avalanche of spectators for the big event, is either a really good idea or a really bad idea.