The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public so that as many visitors as possible are able to watch Pres.-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony. It's a first apparently.

Full release is available after the jump, and for more inaugural event info, check out the committee's Web site.

What happens when counting is completed later this month in the Minnesota Senate contest, the margin is still as narrow as can be and disputes remain about the validity of rejected absentee ballots?

Could Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken design a job share? For six months, one sits at a desk in the venerable Senate chamber while the other drives carpool, and then they switch? Not likely.

But one longshot possiblity -- Senate intervention in the matter -- does exist, and has historic precendent.

In 1974, New Hampshire voters were practically deadlocked in the Senate contest between Republican Rep. Louis C. Wyman and Democrat John A. Durkin, who had served as state insurance commissioner. The 355-vote margin out of 200K votes cast prompted a recount that ended in a 10-vote win for Durkin, who was certified by the governor. Wyman appealed to the NH Ballot Law Commission, which then embarked on its own partial recount, a process that ended with Wyman winning by two votes, according to a recounting offered by the U.S. Senate Historical Office. Wyman was then certified by the governor.

Durkin filed a petition of contest with the Senate, which referred the mess to the Rules and Administration Committee's Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections. In the meantime, the sitting senator -- Norris Cotton -- resigned, and NH Gov. Mel Thomson, a Republican, appointed Wyman to the Senate for the remaining days of Cotton's term, allowing Wyman to assume the title even though Congress was not in session.

Ultimately, the subcommittee passed the matter to the Committee on Rules Administration, which was composed of five Democrats and three Republicans. Believing that Wyman had been fairly certified and seated, one Democrat on the committee voted with his GOP colleagues. So the committee agreed the issue should be brought to the full Senate.

When the Senate convened in January 1975, Durkin and Wyman sat at separate tables at the back of the chamber. They watched. Their lawyers watched. But a suitable conclusion proved elusive, and by the end of the month, the NH Legislature adopted a measure allowing for a new election if the Senate declared the seat vacant. The Democrat-dominated Senate, however, did not cooperate, tossing the mess back to the Rules Committee for months of wrangling over counting disputed ballots, a process fraught with partisan conflict.

The matter dragged through the summer. By August, as a congresional recess loomed large, members remained unable to find consensus. Wyman wrote to Durkin suggesting that they consent to a new election, and Durkin reluctantly agreed. The Senate voted to declare the seat vacant as of Aug. 8, 1975. And the state held a special election Sept. 16, 1975.

Turnout was record breaking, and the winner indisputable; Durkin prevailed by more than 27K votes.

New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner, who served as a state representative from Manchester in 1974, sat on the House committee that drafted the legislation sanctioning the special election. He said the Senate intervened at the time because there were two certificates declaring two different victors.

"They could have picked one side or the other, they could have said we’re going to accept this one or we’re going to accept that one," Gardner said in an interview today. "But they didn’t."

Gardner called the 1974 NH mess "an impossible situation." At one point, he recalled, the Senate toyed with the idea of having each of its 100 members review every ballot cast in the NH election. A hand recount of the highest order. But it wasn't feasible. Bigger issues of the day required members' attention.

"In the end, they probably wished they hadn’t" gotten involved, Gardner said of the senators.

So Senate intervention is possible but carries with it the potential for even greater chaos. Though Democrats dominate this chamber, too, given the post partisan tone set by Pres.-elect Barack Obama, how likely are they to push for Franken to prevail if he trails, even modestly, after the recount? Their reticence seems ever more predictable this week given Sen. Saxby Chambliss' win in the Georgia runoff -- a development that dashed Democratic hopes for a 60-vote filibuster proof majority.

If it's any indication of their aversion to such a move, Senate Democrats have quieted. A spokesman for Sen. Chuck Schumer passed a question this week about the MN matter to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. And a DSCC spokesman failed to return a call. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said his boss stands by his Nov. 26 statement urging that absentee votes are counted and has nothing more at the moment to say on the issue.

Today, meanwhile, the Coleman and Franken camps are trading press releases. Franken's team is demanding a search for 133 lost Minneapolis ballots while Coleman's camp, following Franken's lead earlier this week, has withdrawn 650 ballot challenges.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Per the transition: Pres.-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will host a thank-you event for the members of the Illinois finance committee. There will be a print pool in attendance for his remarks. VP-elect Joe Biden will be in Delaware hosting private meetings and has no public events scheduled.

The latest effort by Barack Obama to raise money for the Democratic National Committee arrived in my in-box this a.m:

This holiday season, celebrate the historic accomplishment of our movement for change. Treat yourself or a loved one to a limited edition Obama coffee mug.

Thank you,
Obama for America

What next? Valentine's Day chocolates for Howard Dean in lieu of a Cabinet appointment?

Pres.-elect Obama announcing NM Gov./ex-UN Amb./ex-Energy Sec. Bill Richardson (D) as his nominee for Commerce sec. was the talk of TV:

CNBC's Harwood: "Some of that is flattery. You're trying to make somebody who aspired to be secretary of state, himself, feel better about the job that he ended up getting. But look, I think the consistent pattern we're seeing from Barack Obama is he is picking people who by the traditional standards with which we measure these things are bigger than the jobs they're getting" ("1600," MSNBC, 12/3).

FNC's Garrett: "Richardson's most immediate tasks are these, overseeing the conversion from analogue to digital TV on February 18 and preparing for the census in 2010. Governor Richardson, welcome to the Commerce Department" ("Special Report," 12/3).

Chicago Tribune's Page: "Ronald Reagan wanted to get rid of the Commerce Department until he realized it was a great place to park people you owe favors to" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 12/3).

New York Daily News' Louis, on some Hispanics saying, even with Richardson, there aren't enough Hispanics in Obama's Cabinet: "I think people who are complaining are, number one, jumping the gun a little bit. That plumb book of all the top appointments is 8,000 deep. There's lots of commissions and sub-Cabinet positions that are very high-profile, EPA, FCC. ... So, we're not done yet" ("No Bias, No Bull," CNN, 12/3).

After the jump, B. Clinton's role in the admin. and the return of Jeb Bush.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

'Tis the season, but it won't be a Charlie Brown Christmas, at least not in N. CA. Tonight, '06 nominee Charlie Brown (D) conceded the race for CA's Fourth District to state Sen. Tom McClintock (R). McClintock, for his part, declared victory 12/1 after the official vote tally showed him leading by 1,576 votes.

In an e-mail to supporters, Brown said the vote count, from the canvassing of provisional and absentee ballots to the recounts, has been "fair, accurate and transparent." He said the outcome of the election is "no longer in question." Brown: "a short time ago, I called Senator Tom McClintock to congratulate him on a hard fought victory, and to wish him well in Congress."

McClintock's hold of retiring Rep. John Doolittle's (R) seat means that the net gain for Dems this election remains at +20. Four races are still outstanding: In VA-05, Rep. Virgil Goode (R) has requested a recount in a race where atty Tom Perriello (D) leads by 745 votes. And in OH-15, '06 nominee Mary Jo Kilroy (D) hopes that more than 10K uncounted provisional ballots will overturn state Sen. Steve Stivers' (R) 500-vote lead.

For the two remaining races, LA will host two general elections 12/6. Embattled Rep. Bill Jefferson (D-LA 02) faces an upstart challenge from underdog Anh Cao (R), while Dems hope Caddo Parish DA Paul Carmouche (D) can flip a GOP open seat in the Shreveport-based LA-04. He'll face physician John Fleming (R) in that race.

(TIM SAHD)

(photo: UK Telegraph)

The Republican National Committee is scheduled to file a campaign report with the Federal Election Commission Thursday disclosing that the committee spent additional funds to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

In October, Politico revealed that the RNC had spent approximately $150,000 on clothing and accessories for Palin and her family after she was selected as Sen. John McCain’s running mate. The story provoked a storm of criticism of the Alaska governor, a mother of five and favorite of the conservative wing of the GOP.

While not providing much in details, Republican officials say that the RNC’s post-election financial report will include information on other “accessories’’ purchased for Palin before the Nov. 4 election.

“The amount to be reported is significantly less than $150,000,’’ one RNC official told National Journal. “The accessories on the report are less than $30,000.’’

The clothing, the official says, is in the committee’s possession and “will be dispersed to national and local charities at the appropriate time.’’

(National Journal's EDWARD T. POUND)

"Access Hollywood" is reporting that Oprah Winfrey will tape her show in Washington during inauguration week.

"I'm going to break that right here; that's where I'm going to be," Winfrey exclusively told "Access Hollywood." "See you there . . . that's the place to be."

Winfrey also confirmed to "Access Hollywood" that she has rented out the Opera House at the Kennedy Center to film the show.

Winfrey has, of course, been a big Barack Obama booster, stumping for him in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina before those critical early state contests. She was spotted in the crowd at Grant Park on Election Night, tears streaming down her face.

The White House released information this morning about its many holiday soirees -- from the menu for all receptions to the musical groups featured at events. First Lady Laura Bush's office also offered up a string of 2008 holiday trivia.

Ever wonder, for example, how many holiday cards President Bush and the First Lady mail to friends and associates?

1.25M this year.

The number of poinsettias sprucing up the White House?

412.

The origin of the White House Christmas tree?

The 18 ½-foot tall Fraser fir hails from North Carolina. It was presented to Mrs. Bush by Jessie Davis and Russell Estes of River Ridge Tree Farms in Crumpler, NC.

Gallons of egg nog served at the White House during the holiday season?

700.

Yum. I digress.

The White House wil host 25 holiday receptions and seven dinners as part of its themed "Red, White and Blue Christmas." After the jump, browse the music makers who will lend their songs to the festivities. Also take a gander at the extensive holiday buffet menu (think Miss Beazley and Barney cookies, among other treats).

MT Gov. Brian Schweitzer -- a huge hit at the Democratic National Convention in Denver -- will lead the Democratic Governors Association. MD Gov. Martin O'Malley, an early backer of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, was elected vice chair yesterday.

Schweitzer's election marks an effort by party laders to continue to expand Democratic influence in the Western states that helped carry Barack Obama to victory. O'Malley, the former Baltimore mayor who plays in an Irish band, is widely viewed as having future designs on national office.

Full release after the jump.

Will the last one in the House turn out the lights?

It might not be that bad -- Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) is the only Rep. so far to definitively say he is leaving -- but several others are looking to follow him out the door.

Pres-elect Obama has reportedly offered Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) the job of Trade Rep. in his admin. It's not yet clear if Becerra has accepted. But Dems need not worry: Becerra's Los Angeles-based seat, as well as Emanuel's Chicago-based CD, are solid blue territory in any Special Election.

But there are also several Reps. who are looking to move up in '10. Late yesterday came word from sources that Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) would retire in order to run for GOV. And Reps. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Artur Davis (D-AL) are also mulling gubernatorial bids in their states. An open seat in MI or AL would not give party operatives heartburn, but if Herseth Sandlin does run for GOV, an open seat would be a big headache for Dems.

There are lots of Reps. looking at Senate bids, too. Reps. Allen Boyd (D) and Vern Buchanan (R) both appear to be strongly considering a run for Sen. Mel Martinez's (R) seat. Martinez announced 12/2 that he won't seek re-election in '10. Reps. Adam Putnam (R) and Kendrick Meek (D) have also been mentioned for that race.

Others publicly considering moves to the upper chamber include Heath Shuler (D-NC), Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) and Jerry Moran (R-KS).

But not everybody who has their eyes on the door is looking to more up. Earlier this week, we reported that sources close to Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS) say he probably will retire. That seat would be a barnburner, as both parties would likely field strong candidates in a CD that leans GOP.

It may have only been a month since these guys (and gal) won re-election, but many of them are already looking for ways to get out of dodge.

(TIM SAHD)

The New Yorker's 12/8 cover. Perfection.

VP-elect Joe Biden will be in Washington today for a briefing by the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, led by former Sens. Bob Graham of FL and Jim Talent of MO.

Biden will be joined at the meeting by AZ Gov. Janet Napolitano, who has been nominated as Pres.-elect Barack Obama's Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Congress tasked the bipartisan commission with reviewing the country's work to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and their use by terrorist groups.

Pres.-elect Barack Obama named NM Gov. Bill Richardson as his Commerce Secretary this morning, saying the former UN Ambassador and Energy Secretary will be the "leading economic diplomat for America."

Obama emphasized that Richardson, who is widely believed to have preferred the Secretary of State job given to Hillary Clinton, has the "international stature and a deep understanding of today's global economy" to help the nation emerge from a deepening recession. Richardson's success will be gauged, Obama said, on how he helps create jobs, grow incomes and advocates for American goods around the globe.

"Bill Richardson has been selected because he is the best person for the job," Obama said in response to a reporter's question about whether the Commerce appointment is a consolation prize for the State Department.

The only Hispanic to be named so far to Obama's Cabinet, Richardson said Obama's team does not represent a team of rivals, as some have suggested.

"Past competitors, yes, but rivals implies something harder-edged and less forgiving," Richardson said. "... You open markets and minds not with rivalry but instead with partnership and innovation and hard work."

Richardson, who gave a portion of his brief acceptance speech in Spanish, said Commerce will serve "as the programmatic nerve center" for plans to rejuvenate the nation's economy. He said he will work ensure the nation is at the forefront of innovation around the globe, especially in the areas of energy independence and new technologies.

"Boosting commerce between states and nations is not just a path to solvency and growth, it's the only path," he said.

Richardson also said he is grateful the nation has a new president "who recognizes that America's diverse heritage is its greatest strength."

Obama urged patience to those in the Hispanic community who have expressed concern that Richardson is the only Latino appointed thus far to the Cabinet. He said he has only named half of his top advisers. News reports today suggest that Rep. Xavier Becerra is in the mix, if not the leading contender, to be the nation's top trade representative.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

The Republican National Committee will meet at the Capitol Hilton in Washington 1/28-1/31 to, among other issue items, elect a new (or re-elect the current) chairman.

For those keeping score:

With 97% of precincts reporting ...

Sen. Saxby Chambliss won 1,220,856 votes or 57.4%

Democrat Jim Martin won 905,637 votes or 42.6%

For anyone wondering about the extent of Barack Obama's influence on turnout in congressional contests, note that 2.12M people cast ballots yesterday in the GA Senate runoff, compared with 3.75M people who voted in the 11/4 Senate contest.

Dem hopes of gaining a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate were squashed when Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) was projected to win reelection in the GA SEN runoff.

CNN's Bash: "This is a very rare moment of glory and victory in a very, very bad year for Republicans. So, the national party, they are looking at this particular race, this particular victory ... and saying, you know, wow. This gives us a little bit of hope now" ("AC 360," 12/2).

Washington Post's Bacon: "Barack Obama did not come here, but he left his 25 campaign offices open and they became Martin for Senate offices. So it appears that Obama's network, you know, which did a good job for him both in Georgia and around the country, was not able to elect Jim Martin down here" ("On the Record," FNC, 12/2).

Time's Cox: "It's pretty well recognized among Democratic circles or in Democratic circles that Martin was not an especially strong candidate. He made it as far as he did because of the 'Obama machine.' And I would call it an 'Obama machine' and not a Democratic machine. ... What this does suggest, however, is that in 2010, the mid-terms are going to be a struggle because Obama's name will not be on the ballot" ("Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 12/2).

After the jump, more GA SEN and govs. discuss Obama meeting.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

With the nets and AP projecting that Sen. Saxby Chambliss will hold on to his GA Senate seat, shattering the Democrats' shot at a 60-vote filibuster proof majority, consider this:

In as much as any special election could be a test of Barack Obama's coattails before he has even been sworn in (hello!), does the vote actually reflect voters' desire to keep some check on the party's power?

And another thing -- Sorry Jim Martin, but Al Franken might be the biggest loser tonight. How likely is it that Democratic senators will push for Franken -- or vote not to seat Sen. Norm Coleman should the MN race remain tight after a recount -- now that the filibuster-proof advantage has eluded the party? Such a move is a rare happening, but tonight's GA results seems to make an aggressive move on Franken's behalf less likely.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

With 59% of GA precincts reporting, Sen. Saxby Chambliss still holds a firm double-digit advantage over Democrat Jim Martin, 721,534 to 470,201 votes, or 60.5% to 39.5%.

With 30% of GA precincts reporting, Sen. Saxby Chambliss leads Democrat Jim Martin, 354,459 to 218,498 votes, or 61.9% to 38.1%. Note that results from heavily Democratic DeKalb and Fulton (Atlanta) counties remain outstanding. When they're in, Martin should get a boost.