If you think that the crisis is just random, a once in a century (or at least once every few decades) disaster, then you won’t think making major changes is necessary. Get through the problem, go back to how you were doing things before, and everything will be fine.

But, of course, the economic and financial crisis unfolding right now was not random.

According to a source familiar with discussions within the White House about filling the Health and Human Services slot, Kathleen Sebelius very much wants the position and Obama would very much like to have her — he feels she is the most qualified person for the job and an excellent administrator.

As Ben Smith reports via a twitter note from SEIU’s Andy Stern, President Obama invited several folks over for a White House cocktail soiree yesterday evening. I’m told by a source that Valerie Jarrett’s office organized the get-together. On the menu?  From the guest list, it sure looks like the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) was on the White House front burner.

• Is the mortgage plan enough?
• Chicken little alarmist fear-mongerers everywhere.
• Strange times, indeed.
• This oughta be interesting. 
• Hillary in Asia.
• Yikes.
• Ahnold is gonna have to switch parties.
• Why does Eric Holder hate America?
• When being gay got you investigated by the FBI.
• Joke Line read my mind.
• Republican party updates: part 1, part 2.

So which Republican Governors are running for President?

Pondering the future US map of high-speed rail and listening to Marissa Nadler’s new video, River of Dirt.

There are some days, it would seem, that being Nanookie of the North is hard work. Really hard work.

As you may know, President Obama came to Phoenix in order to roll out his $75 Billion Plan to Fight Home Foreclosures. This was exciting for me, because Obama spent last night at a resort, Montelucia, about 3/4 of a mile from my house. Here are the details of the plan he announced and photos from his visit.

Republicans are for the stimulus after they’re against it.

After a report in the Wall Street Journal appeared indicating that Obama “met with 44 fiscally conservative ‘Blue Dog’ Democrats this week and gave a nod to legislation that would set up commissions to deal with long-term deficit strains,” noting that “the commissions would then present plans to Congress for an up-or-down vote,” it appears things moved rather swiftly.