Hillary Clinton: Obama Given Nobel For Restoring 'Image And Appreciation of Our Country'
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the Today show that President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize because of "his attitude toward America's role in the world." "His willingness to really kind of challenge everyone ... restores a kind of image and appreciation of our country," said Clinton.

Baucus Bill Committee Vote Will Require Leap Of Faith For Several Senators
The Hill reports that the Baucus bill is likely to clear the Finance Committee, with the votes of Democratic members who are in fact critics of it -- but are taking a leap of faith that they can improve it on the Senate floor: "The fact that critics of the Baucus bill such as Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) are already strategizing for the floor debate is a strongest indication that Baucus will have the support he needs on Tuesday."

No Obama or Biden Events Today
Neither President Obama nor Vice President Biden have any public events scheduled for today. Obama is in Washington, and Biden is in Wilmington, Delaware.

Newsweek: Biden The White House Truth Teller
In a new Newsweek profile, Vice President Biden is presented as a key figure in the Obama administration, asking skeptical questions and keeping people on track: "'He says the things that others at the table don't want to talk about, or which they find uncomfortable,' says White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Across the board, Biden's real value to the president is not really his specific advice. It's his ability to stir things up."

Hillary Clinton Addresses Northern Ireland Assembly
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the Northern Ireland Assembly today, denouncing IRA dissidents. "They want to derail your confidence. And though they are small in number, their thuggish tactics and destructive ambitions threaten the security of every family in Northern Ireland," she said. "Moving ahead together with the process will leave them stranded on the wrong side of history."

McDonnell: Independents Who Voted For Obama Now Backing Me
Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate for governor in Virginia, told the New York Times that his success in the polls is a sign of independent voters swinging from President Obama to the Republicans. "Those voters probably leaned toward President Obama in the last cycle," said McDonnell, whose state voted Democratic last year for the first time since 1964. "But when voters see specifics -- cap and trade, card check, unfunded mandates -- I think some bloc of voters said, 'This is not the change we thought we are getting, and because we are fiscally conservative, we are going to take another look at the Republican candidate for governor.'"

GOP Candidates Looking For State Coattail Effects In 2010
Roll Call reports that Republican in key states are counting on coattail effects from statewide candidates in 2010 -- and the lack of the presidential race. "I found out last year what the top of the ticket can do," said House candidate Steve Stivers (R-OH), who narrowly lost in 2008 and is running again this time. "Barack Obama got a lot of voters excited ... and it made a difference in my race."

Lieberman Introducing Bill On Benefits For Gay Federal Employees
Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) plans to hold a hearing on a bill to have the federal government grant the same benefits to gay federal employees and their spouses any married federal employees. "We have a whole new administration with a different attitude toward this, so I think I'd like to give people an opportunity to testify," said Lieberman. "And then I'd like to bring the bill out sometime before the end of the year."