A mild struggle for the leadership of the GOP emerged at CPAC, the participants of which were Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh. Or, as I like to call it, “heads we win, tails we win”.

In the first corner, wearing the dark blue shorts, is a politician who resigned from his position as Speaker of the House to avoid being tossed out by his own party, who had decided he had become a liability. Oh, what a difference a decade (and lack of better alternatives) makes. Gingrich told the CPAC audience “It’s not our job to be the opposition party. It’s our job to be the ‘better solutions’ party.” Included in those “better solutions” is a 12 point plan that is half tax cuts with a dash of things even they know they won’t do.

Light Reading: Were you just sitting there thinking to yourself “Self, I really want to know more about the Gaussian copula function?” Well, you are in luck, my friend, because Wired magazine has an article detailing that very formula. The article’s title- Recipe for Disaster: The Formula that Killed Wall Street- hints at what the formula is and why it is important.

Word is out that former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will be serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services and “health czar” with the Obama Administration. This is very big news not because of Daschle’s own proposed policies on health-care reform but because he is essentially being brought in as an enforcer. In order for any kind of health-care package to succeed, it has to get votes and make it successfully through the Senate. Daschle is fluent in the intricacies of the Senate (and House) and can help steer …

Howard Dean will be leaving his position as Democratic National Committee chairman when his term is up in January. Dean had said previously that he only intended to serve one term but many thought Obama’s success-due largely to Dean’s 50 state strategy- would inspire him to serve another term. Dean’s legacy is expected to live on through his strategy (of which incoming COS Rahm Emanuel was a vocal opponent).
From Sam Stein:
Indeed, four years later, it seems, Dean’s vision is poised to become party orthodoxy. Dean told a Democratic operative that …

ABC is reporting that President-Elect Obama has offered the Chief of Staff position to Rep. Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel hasn’t accepted or declined at this time.  The Obama campaign isn’t known for its accidental leaks so an official announcement will probably follow shortly. 
No politician is perfect, but I like Emanuel. He’s smart and tough, able to voice his disagreement with his boss while remaining loyal. He’s out of Chicago (tying him to Obama) but has a strong history with the Clintons. He’s partisan, fairly liberal and a champion for health care. …