Henry Waxman Wins Chairmanship of House Energy and Commerce Committee, Janet Napolitano Will Be Homeland Security Secretary

Our daily look at stories and topics that are lighting up the Internets:

Shocker: Waxman Wins!

After a secret ballot vote of the Democratic caucus, Rep. Henry Waxman has defeated Rep. John Dingell for chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Dingell has been the top Democrat on the committee since 1981. Liberal bloggers are shocked but say it's a "very encouraging development" and a victory for Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and environmentalists (but a defeat for Blue Dogs). They also say it's a sign that relations between Obama's administration and the House will be good and allow for real progressive change.

Clintonites Pile Up

More transition news comes today with word that Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano will be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. While a liberal blogger calls her a "terrific choice," conservatives disapprove, saying she appears "hawkish on illegal immigration" on the surface but "there's little substance to that appearance." With the appointment of Sen. Tom Daschle as the next health and human services secretary, conservatives have more ammunition for their complaint that Obama is filling his administration with too many Clintonites. And speaking of Clintonites, the Hillary for SoS drama continues with Bill Clinton's announcement that he will disclose his foundation donors. Bloggers wonder what's really going on behind the scenes and why she's the top contender considering her foreign policy views don't match up with Obama's.

—Gretchen Hannes