I've got to be the most uncreative headline writer of all time. Something to work on.

Anyway, happy Thursday, the day after the day after all hell broke loose in politics. And no less than one week away from the State of the Union. Also, UW is going to try to win a basketball game on the road tonight for the first time this year, so, priorities, you know.

Nothing too major to cover this morning, although that is sure to change as the day goes on.

Politico's lead story quotes California Senator Barbara Boxer, "every state is in play." Whoa. Another nugget in there from Claire McCaskill (D-MO), "“If there’s anybody in this building that doesn’t tell you they’re more worried about elections today, you absolutely should slap them."

Just because I don't want to write about it doesn't make this any less major. One time golden boy presidential candidate John Edwards has admitted paternity of his former mistress' child.

From one mess to another, as NBC and Conan O'Brien have reached a settlement that will end the comedian's tenure on the tonight show. The deal is reportedly worth $44 million. That $44 million to not work. Sometimes, actually all the time, I am shocked to recall that a show as good as the West Wing was on NBC. Probably why I didn't watch it until it hit DVD.

Want a good way to piss off parents? Make them drive their third and fourth graders to two different schools. Another win for the SSD. In fairness, I've been meaning to post this more positive story for days. Apparently Rainier Beach HS is getting a second principal (is it strange that I can go all the way back to one of my elementary school principals, who told me, "the way you remember the difference between 'principle' and 'principal' is that I am your 'pal'?). This is a big deal, as one will be charged with the academics and inner-school activities, while one will be focused on community outreach. I certainly hope this isn't just a way to keep Robert Gary (who I really like) around, but instead a real effort to get a school representative in the community to put butts in classrooms. Making moves like this is how you build schools in these communities.

Frank Luntz is always worth reading and this one has some grim numbers for Barack Obama.

And I can't report this enough times - Felix Hernandez is in Seattle, set to sign pending a physical, a five year, $78 million contract. Hernandez is 23. So am I. What am I doing wrong? Seriously, even better is the news at the bottom of that post, where Baker surmises that the M's still have about $10 million to spend.

One more little side tangent: those of you who have watched West Wing know this, but Congress actually has to invite the president to give his State of the Union address. Well, the Senate passed H. Con. Res. 228 yesterday, calling a joint session to hear a message from the president.

All for now.