MIDDAY ROUNDUP

News that President-elect Barack Obama may not back further investigations into the Bush administration disappoints liberals today, who also scoff at the lengthy job application put together for openings in the new administration. Meanwhile, the battle over a key piece of legislation for the next Congress has begun, with liberals and conservatives drawing battle lines.

Congress should continue to examine the dealings of the Bush White House after the president leaves office, but Obama may block such investigations out of presidential amity, Kevin Drum writes. The hearings are unnecessary, because any dissatisfaction with the Bush administration has been remedied by last week