Obama Thanking Illinois Donors; No Biden Events
Barack and Michelle Obama are holding a thank-you event for members of his Illinois finance committee, with pooled press. Joe Biden is holding private meetings in Delaware, and has no public events scheduled.

Report: Political Advisers Telling Matthews To Quit MSNBC
The Politico reports that Chris Matthews has been meeting with political operatives to discuss a timetable for his possible Senate candidacy -- and they're advising him to quit MSNBC and get organized ahead of his contract's expiration in June. "I said, 'if you want to be a U.S. senator, step up and get into the race,'" said one participant.

WaPo: Richardson Pick At Commerce A Big Change
The Washington Post points out that the appointment of Bill Richardson as Secretary of Commerce is a real departure for that office, putting a politician in a post that has usually been held by private-sector executives. Commerce has been considered one of the lesser roles -- but that could be changing, between Richardson's own background as a governor and diplomat, and the need for more national leadership on the economy.

Plouffe Writing Book About Campaign
Barack Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe is writing a book about his experience in this past election. Plouffe is indicating that this won't be a tell-all, but more an examination of the process itself, comparing how the rival campaigns were run: "Hopefully, there will be some lessons on how to put together a three-quarters of a billion dollar operation."

Carter Writes New Book -- With Pleasant Title
Jimmy Carter has a new book coming out about the Middle East, entitled We Can Bring Peace To The Holy Land. Hopefully it will go over better than his last book, Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid.

Potential Reid Challenger Indicted
Harry Reid just got a piece of good news back home in Nevada: One his top potential challengers for 2010, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, has been indicted on corruption charges. Between scandal-plagued Gov. Jim Gibbons and now Krolicki, plus Barack Obama's double-digit win here last month, the Republican brand just keeps going downhill in Nevada.

Inauguration Organizers Working To Keep Kids Out
The committee organizing Barack Obama's inauguration is providing some strong disincentives against bringing children, banning strollers and expressly warning that attendees will have to stand in one place for hours. Said a spokeswoman for the committee: "They are shorter than everyone else; they can be stepped on. Parents should think long and hard about bringing a small kid to an event with 1 million people."

Oprah Taping Show In DC For Inauguration Week
Oprah Winfrey, whose public support of Barack Obama quite arguably made the difference in the very close Democratic nomination contest, will be hosting her show from Washington during Inauguration Week. Could a White House Christmas special be next?

With Chuck Schumer heading into a second term as DSCC head, who will be his new GOP adversary? Bob Novak predicts today that the job will go to Sen. John Ensign, R-NV. Novak says it's not a job anyone would want, given the likelihood of more GOP losses in the Senate in two years. "Ensign's skills will be put to the test mightily," Novak says. "Republicans' outlook in the Senate for 2008 is bleak."

Jimmy Carter's son, Jack Carter, wins Dem Senate primary; will face GOP incumbent Jack Ensign in uphill fight.

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