Whatnots and poll-itics

By GottaLaff

Here are a few odds and ends to chew on:

Kaine Takes Over DNC

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) will be elected as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee at 1:00 pm ET in Washington, D.C.

However, there's still no word on what the snubbed outgoing chairman Howard Dean will do next.

Whatever Dean does, let's hope he's as effective as he was during the election. Next:

Optimism Soars with Obama Taking Power

A new AP-Knowledge Networks poll shows that by a 3-1 margin, the American people feel more optimistic about the country's future now that Barack Obama has been inaugurated president.

And finally, President Obama read-- dun, dun, dun-n-n-- The Letter:

"At 8:35 AM, the President arrived in the Oval Office and spent 10 minutes alone in the office. He read the note left to him by President Bush that was in an envelope marked 'To: #44, From: #43'. At 8:45 AM, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel came in to discuss the schedule of today's events. The First Lady came into the Oval Office at 9:10 AM. We will release a picture shortly."

That picture will show the President and First Lady pointing and laughing heartily at the opened letter sitting on the desk.

As he exited, the photographer could be heard erupting in guffaws as he said, "There... omigod... there were a bunch of random crayon scrawls, and jelly stains and crumbs were embedded in a crumpled piece of glitter-studded construction paper! This is one time President Obama couldn't keep his cool... he was doubled over, the guy completely lost it."

He later added, "Obama's got a great laugh. The First Lady tried really hard to contain him, but finally gave up."

I made up that last part.