How do you devise such a list without including Michael Ware? His assessments of conditions on the ground are stark and unparalleled. He's been living in Baghdad as a reporter for Time and CNN since before the invasion and, in my view, has been fearless in his commitment to the truth.

The Palins remind me of con artists that have been around forever. They had a story and used their kids as props to help legitimize whatever skam they had in mind. In their case, it's collecting votes. Anyone remember "Paper Moon?" Ryan O'Neal played Sarah/Todd and Tatum O'Neal played the children. She may be "smart," but you don't want to let her in your front door.

Glenn misses the point. It's not really a question of whether there's been bipartisanship or paralyzing gridlock in the Congress. The American people believe the latter, because the stark ideological divide has created the perception of extreme partisanship. And, as the cliche' goes, perception is everything. If Obama expects to have broad public support for his programs, he'll have to make the people believe that he has done everything humanly possible to create an atmosphere in which consensus can be achieved. Otherwise, when he needs a public outcry against the Republican ideologues, who are sure to do everything possible to ensure his failure, he won't have it. With broad public support, Obama and the Congress will at least have a shot at getting enough semi-moderate Republicans and conservative Democrats to vote with him on large issues such as the economy, health care, energy independence and the environment. Forgiving Lieberman, who certainly doesn't deserve it, is a very public part of the strategy and essential to its success. I'm amazed that Democrats can do something so intelligent.

There's nothing smart, politically or otherwise, in Obama's decision to present Rick Warren as the principal religious speaker at his inauguration. Warren is a bigot and a fool, e.g., gays and evolution. Who in god's name wants to bridge a gap between Warren and the rest of us? Not me. I don't want him anywhere close to my politics or my yard. Reserve him a spot in the grandstands; shake his hand; buy him a martini; but the invocation? Please! The only possible selection that could have been worse would have been James Dobson of Focus on the Family infamy. Bad decision, Barack. It makes me think less of you.