Analysis: Obama outreach to GOP a balancing act (AP via Yahoo! Malaysia News)
In his first days on the job, President Barack Obama has acted to appease core Democratic interest groups, making good on a few campaign promises and shoring up support among key constituencies as he reaches out to Republicans on the big economic stimulus package.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Hospices win $134m in stimulus (The San Luis Obispo Tribune)
By By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS -- When the Bush administration last year cut what Medicare will provide for hospice care for dying patients, the hospice industry fought back. It turned its million-dollar lobbying apparatus on the problem, made key campaign contributions and enlisted friends on Capitol Hill. The result: a provision worth $134 million to hospices across the country has made its way ...