Top Of The Morning

Countercyclical spending: Obama plans payroll tax relief for those receiving the earned income tax credit -- that's a direct stimulus jolt for lower middle class Americans. A second part would give cash to struggling businesses by allowing them to write off their 2008 losses retroactively, instead of spreading the write-offs through future years.  Obama meets today with leaders on the Hill to consider the timing of his stimulus package. Early February is more likely than immediately.

Bill Richardson withdraws; controversy swirls over pay to play.  You'd never know it, but the Obama team did not expect Richardson to take the Commerce job in the first place; they saw it as a demotion. But Richardson surprised them by saying yes.

Tim Kaine will be elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee next month.  Along with Kaine, Obama's team will appoint a strong executive director and shift the focus of the party to organizing. 

The Senate ponders whether to seat Roland Burris, Blago's choice to follow Barack Obama, and Al Franken, who will be be declared the victor by the Minnesota State Canvassing Board.  The reality is that legal challenges will prevent any swift resolutions, and Democrats will try to use the constitutional questions to their advantage, for at least a week and a half, hoping upon hope that the Illinois legislature can impeach its governor. At that point, what happens if there are two Illinois Senate nominees? The Secretary of State would certify one -- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's choice -- but Burris would proceed with his lawsuit.  Republicans have vowed to filibuster any seating of Al Franken.