EARLYBIRD

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:30 AM

Top Transition News - 1/13

At the request of President-elect Barack Obama, President Bush has asked Congress to release the remaining $350 billion in TARP bailout funds. (Washington Times)

Obama has dropped his bid to include a $3,000-per-job tax credit in his economic stimulus package as a result of Democrats' criticism that the proposed cut could be easily abused by businesses. (Washington Post)

When a supporter asked over the Internet whether Obama will repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, press secretary Robert Gibbs responded, "you don't hear a politician give a one-word answer much, but it's 'yes.'" (The Advocate)

Bush will deliver his farewell speech Thursday evening. (The Caucus)

The outgoing president also held his final White House press conference Monday morning, where he acknowledged mistakes but still remained defensive on the most controversial aspects of his tenure. (NationalJournal.com)

The Name Game

William V. Corr, executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and a former congressional aide to Health and Human Services-designate Tom Daschle, has been tapped to serve as the agency's deputy secretary. (New York Times)

Obama's campaign technology adviser Julius Genachowski, who supports net neutrality and the expansion of broadband access, has been selected to head the Federal Communications Commission. (Wall Street Journal)

Rather than take up an official White House position like many of his colleagues, campaign architect David Plouffe will oversee the 13 million e-mail addresses, 4 million cell phone contacts and 2 million active volunteers that make up Obama's grassroots network. (Washington Post)

The leader of the United Auto Workers expressed reservations about the possible appointment of Wall Street financier Steven Rattner as "auto czar." (Wall Street Journal)

Foreign Policy Reshuffle

Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton wants to reclaim some of the diplomatic powers usurped by the Defense Department under Bush, and will call for more "smart power" in her Senate confirmation hearings, which begin today. (Wall Street Journal)

Former President Clinton's foreign dealings -- from overseas donations to his foundation to his efforts to broker a Middle East peace deal -- will be at the center of his wife's confirmation hearings. (Boston Globe)

Soon after taking office, Obama will have to decide whether to use an influx of troops in Afghanistan to pursue Taliban forces along the Pakistani border or protect villages from militants. (Los Angeles Times)

Closing Guantanamo Bay prison is ripe with symbolism for the new administration, but it could take Obama months or even a year to finally shutter the facility. (New York Times)

Obama will quickly reverse a number of Bush's executive orders on terror detainees, torture and executive secrecy privileges. (Politico)

Inauguration Conflagration

Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, will deliver the invocation at an inaugural event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in a move designed to satisfy those angered over the selection of Pastor Rick Warren to preside over the swearing-in ceremony. (The Advocate)

Scalpers are hawking inaugural parade tickets with a $25 face value for $300 and more on craigslist. (NationalJournal.com)

A Georgia town has rallied around its high school band, donating thousands of dollars and giving in-kind gifts, to help the group travel to D.C. to march in the inaugural parade. (New York Times)