Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks mull the political news of the week, including the battle in Congress over the stimulus bill and Sen. Judd Gregg's decision to drop his bid to become the Obama administration's commerce chief.

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President Obama spoke at the Lincoln Memorial Thursday to celebrate the former president's 200th birthday, praising his ability to bridge deep divides and bring unity to a fractured nation. Historians mull Lincoln's legacy and its relevance today.

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Lawmakers continued Thursday to nail down the details of the economic stimulus bill in a push toward a final vote. Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty examine the bill's effectiveness and react to news of Judd Gregg's…

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Commerce Secretary-designate Judd Gregg became the latest Cabinet nominee to withdraw from consideration, citing key differences with President Barack Obama on economic issues and the forthcoming Census. Washington Post reporter Chris Cillizza discusses the development.

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Tzipi Livni and Benjamin Netanyahu both claimed victory in Israel's parliamentary elections, with close vote totals throwing the prospects for building a ruling coalition into limbo. Analysts discuss the results and what they mean for the region's political future.

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Congressional leaders announced that they have reached a deal on a stimulus plan Wednesday -- although talks continued late in the day on the bill's final details. The Hotline's Amy Walter discusses the negotiations and Jeffrey Brown reports on the…

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Political and religious leaders in Iran are dealing with vast changes in the country's society since the revolution 30 years ago, including President Obama's suggestion for dialogue. Lindsey Hilsum, of Independent Television News, reports.

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The Treasury Department outlined an overhaul of the financial rescue plan Tuesday as the stimulus bill moved forward. Economists and analysts react to the developments.

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Question/Comment: As a stimulus to the economy, would it work to give money to Americans to cover their mortgage or credit debt? Paul Solman: Any spending is a stimulus. You might take a few minutes to read, as I just…

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The Senate on Tuesday approved an $838 billion economic stimulus package of spending and tax cuts that now must be reconciled with the House's $819 billion version. President Barack Obama is pushing to get the plan signed by mid-February.

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