Debt, deficits, spending and the cha-cha-change, teh Kennedys wane in the wind(farming), Hillary takes charge at the State Department, and more odds and ends archived from our “Red Hot News” section. There’s no new news here unless you are a new visitor.

NY Gov. Paterson appoints Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the Senate seat vacated by newly confirmed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Caroline Kennedy tries to save face, withdraws bid to replace Clinton as junior Senator from New York after learning Gov. Paterson was not going to select her.

Hello Madame Secretary: Senate overwhelmingly confirms Clinton as top U.S. diplomat.

Charge it! As the U.S. wavers on the edge of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Obama’s $150+ million inauguration is the most expensive ever (more than Clinton and Bush combined). “Part of the spending includes emergency funding announced by the White House…to help with the soaring costs.”

Plans to build nation’s first offshore wind farm off Cape Cod clears hurdle; however, Sen. Ted Kennedy doth protest (it couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the Kennedy family’s Hyannis Port compound having a clear view of the farm.)

Senate panel approves Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

Obama press secretary says “Yes” Obama will repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Is this more Obama flip flopping on DADT or does he really mean it this time?

State senator pushes two bills to end ban on gay adoption in Florida.

Obama on the cover of Ms. magazine as a super-feminist. Now, that’s a pig with lipstick!

Deficit forecasts exceed $1 trillion … U.S. national debt is 10.6 trillion and climbing … Federal Reserve and Treasury: who runs them, how are they chosen, and why you should care.

Senate confused: Will they or won’t they seat Obama senate replacement, Blago appointee Roland Burris.

Jeb Bush won’t run for U.S. Senate in 2010 after all, move scrambles Florida Senate outlook for GOP. I wonder if it has anything to do with brother W’s dismal approval rating.

Oh, the change! New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson drops bid for Obama’s Commerce Secretary in wake of federal grand jury investigation into government contract exchange for campaign contributions.

When will it end? Should government bailout newspapers? Connecticut lawmaker wants state to bailout two local newspapers, sparks debate about government involvement in the press.

Former DNC chair and Clinton loyalist, Terry McAuliffe, announces run for Virginia governor.

Democratic controlled Congress gives itself 3% pay raise despite recession … Congress denies raises for federal judges … Universities, factories and even hospitals force employees to take unpaid furloughs.