The Dallas Morning News reports that Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has filed papers to establish an exploratory committee for a possible run at the Texas Governor's mansion in 2010. By establishing this committee, Senator Hutchison can open a campaign office and being fundraising for her race.

The National Review reports that Newt Gingrich is going to decide in 2011 whether or not he's going to run for President in 2012. The former Speaker was considered a possible candidate for the 2008 election, but chose to sit it out. He also stated that he is not running for RNC Chairman.

Longtime journalist and political insider Roger Simon has a story in The Politico in which he relates a conversation with a Republican Senator who asked to remain anonymous. Here are some of the more interesting takeaways:

“I don’t think we have learned much from the election in terms of what people want to see,” he says. “We have the same gridlock.”

We'll be taking Turkey Day off; while we all give thanks for what we are blessed with and eat far too much along the way, you can also enjoy these highlights from last week on the progressive blogosphere.

The Real Clear Politics Blog is reporting that Hank Williams, Jr., commonly known as "Bocephus" to his fans, is considering a Senate run in Tennessee in 2012.

Media Matters has caught Fox News Analyst Dick Morris repeatedly using his perch on Fox to raise money for a PAC that employs his email communications consulting company. This is not the first time that Fox News has had conflict of interest problems with their commentators, nor is it likely to be the last.

Noted internet satirist Jesus' General offers his commentary on the on-going escapades of the Texas legislature with regards to science education. The organised resistance to the teaching of science in schools not only humiliates Texas on the national scene, but has strong ripple implications for education policy all over the country.

As hardworking Americans of every collar continue to experience shock and awe when opening the latest statements from their retirement programs and investment advisors, the Austin American-Statesman reports that the market downturn has shaved $300 million off the estimated $1.4 billion dollar contribution from the Permanent School Fund to the next state budget.

More worrying is the overall devaluation of the PSF, which, according to this article, has fallen from $25.1 billion last fall to $17.5 billion this fall, erasing most of the Fund's gains in value accrued over the last decade.

Joe The Plumber's fifteen minutes of fame seem to be dwindling. He's gone from major interviews all over the media to being interviewed by college papers. In an interview with Tufts Daily, he offers up the notion that Sen. McCain is doing an insufficient job of defending the reputation of his erstwhile running mate, Gov.Sarah Palin:

Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) has been elected to head the NRCC. The NRCC is the Republican committee charged with electing members to the House of Representatives. The NRCC chairman is responsible for targeting races, recruiting candidates, raising money and supporting candidates in their races. Democratic strategists are hopeful, as Sessions has never had any history of large-scale strategic thinking and success.