Morning News Round-up

Good morning, Capitolists! It's the 99th day of the Obama administration, the second day of "Politics Daily" and the first day of your lives as full-fledged Capitolists.

That thud you just heard is the news of the day on your virtual doorstep. Enjoy....

Top Domestic Story: Swine Flu: It's an emergency! Nobody panic...

**The Swine Flu outbreak presents the Obama administration staff with their first-ever public heath crisis, forcing them to activate a never-tested response process with dozens of key health posts vacant, including the Health and Human Services secretary. Great. Look for HHS nominee Kathleen Sebelius to get confirmed today, however. Debate starts at 10 a.m. EST on C-SPAN 2. [Washington Post]

**Two days after the federal government began its response to the global Swine Flu outbreak, Congressional committees will hold emergency hearings to examine the federal response to the Swine Flu. Look for DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano on the Senate side tomorrow and other disaster luminaries on the House side Thursday. [The Hill]

**Breathless Swine Flu coverage infected (ha!) the cable news networks yesterday. The Washington Post's media man, Howard Kurtz, gives the symptoms and the diagnosis: It was pretty sick.

Top International Story: The BBC reports: "New cases of the deadly swine flu virus have been confirmed as far afield as New Zealand and Israel, as the UN warns it cannot be contained." Ewe.

The Pentagon buzzed and inadvertently terrorized New York City yesterday with a "classified" photo-op. The White House apologized and the New York Post lands the headline of the day: "Scare Force One"

If you think Big Labor has too much power, avert your delicate eyes. If you're more Norma Rae, read on... Chrysler's union employees may be the bosses soon. A deal is in the works to swap employee concessions on benefits for a 55-percent ownership stake in the company. [USA Today]

Gun owners have conservative sensei Rush Limbaugh in their sights. The plus-sized pet lover has cut public service announcements for the Humane Society of the United States, speaking out against dog fighting and running afoul of hunters and their flocks. The heat packers say HSUS has, "an agenda against the sportsmen community." [Washington Times]

Dick Cheney for president! So writes Ross Douthat in his first regular column for the New York Times. If that doesn't get eyeballs, we don't know what will.