Obama Seeks To Reassure Country On Flu
In this weekend's Presidential YouTube address, President Obama discussed the action that the government has taken to deal with the swine flu, including distributing antiviral treatments from the country's strategic stockpile, and also discusses the precautions that schools and businesses should take:

"It is my greatest hope and prayer that all of these precautions and preparations prove unnecessary," said Obama. "But because we have it within our power to limit the potential damage of this virus, we have a solemn and urgent responsibility to take the necessary steps."

GOP Address Criticizes Democrats For Stimulus, Other Spending
In this weekend's Republican YouTube, freshman Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) criticized President Obama and Congressional Democrats for the stimulus bill and other spending programs:

"This week, we marked the President's 100th day in office," said Jenkins. "And while, like most of you, I like the President personally, I think the Democrats' first 100 days running Washington can be summed up in three words: spending, taxing, and borrowing."

GOP Preparing For Political Fight On SCOTUS Nominee
The Politico reports that Republicans are already researching the records of potential Supreme Court nominees, hoping to find the sort of positions or statements that can be held against Senate Democratic incumbents who are up for re-election in 2010. "I don't think, given their majority, that we can stop them," said a GOP aide, "but it's a great opportunity for us to tie their incumbents to whatever crazy opinions or statements come to light."

NYT: Obama Has Opportunity For Different Kind Of Justice
The New York Times points out that the new Supreme Court vacancy gives President Obama an opportunity to put someone on the court who does not already come from the ranks of the judiciary. "Until recently," the Times says, "Supreme Court justices were often former legislators, governors, cabinet members, law professors and practicing lawyers."

SCOTUS Vacancy Means Cash For Conservative Interest Groups
CQ reports that the Supreme Court vacancy is set to be a cash-cow for conservative interest groups. "The Supreme Court is great," said conservative fundraiser Dan Morgan. "That's going to be mail, that's going to be phone calls," he said. "The clients I work with are in meetings already. There are letters being written already."

Schwarzenegger Opens Door To Supporting Dem To Succeed Him
At a press conference yesterday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) did not rule out endorsing a Democrat to succeed him in the 2010 election: "It could happen, yes." He did, however, say that he won't switch parties: "I think the Kennedy family has enough Democrats." So is he serious, that this could actually happen?

AP: Dems Seeing Opportunities On Gay Marriage
The Associated Press analyzes that Democrats are seeing opportunities in the political battles over gay marriage, with polls showing increasing support. "In recent weeks, Vermont and Iowa have legalized same-sex marriage, while New York, Maine and New Hampshire have taken steps in that direction," the AP says. "Polls show younger Americans are far are more tolerant on the issue than are older generations."