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By Alexander Burns (@aburnspolitico, aburns@politico.com)


SCORE EXCLUSIVE - CHRISTIE'S NEXT ACT: The Republican Governors Association will name New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to be its new policy vice chairman today, giving the RGA another popular, media-friendly spokesman to help lead opposition to the Obama administration and promote conservative governance in the states. In a statement announcing the appointment, Texas Gov. and RGA Chairman Rick Perry said Christie's new role will make the first-term governor an even bigger player in national policy debates. "Since the moment he took office, Governor Christie has been a powerful example of the tremendous impact governors can make in their states and nationwide," Perry said. "As the RGA's Policy Vice Chairman, Governor Christie will be a valuable leader as the RGA continues to strengthen our policy arm." Christie's role will put him directly under Mississippi Gov. and RGA policy chairman Haley Barbour in the organization's hierarchy.


MORE - THE ROLLOUT: The New Jersey governor is in Washington today to address the American Enterprise Institute in a speech that's expected to include criticism of the federal budget. In a statement, Christie pointed to state government as the best place for Republicans to enact conservative policy alternatives. "Right now the place in America where Republicans can clearly demonstrate the power of our party's ideas and principles is in the twenty-nine states with Republican governors," Christie said. "I look forward to working with Governor Perry and the 27 other Republican governors to provide and advocate for a clear path forward that will restore fiscal sanity to our state and national budgets and create the foundation for economic growth." The RGA's recent forays into national policy have focused on health care, including a recent letter GOP governors penned to President Obama asking for expedited review of lawsuits challenging the health reform law. http://bit.ly/hvuXNx More on the plans for Christie's DC visit here: http://politi.co/hUJYDW


As Tim Kaine asks for advice, New York Republicans move toward a nominee and Rick Scott hosts a special guest, here's POLITICO's Morning Score: your daily guide to the permanent campaign.


POLITICO SNEAK PEEK - ISRAEL'S PEN-AND-PAD: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel is scheduled to brief reporters today about House Democrats' efforts to retake control of Congress. POLITICO's David Catanese raises the curtain: "In what was a partial preview of his scheduled remarks to reporters Wednesday, Israel told POLITICO Tuesday that the DCCC has already far exceeded its fundraising benchmarks and reduced its $19 million dollar debt to a 'manageable' level. While the New York congressman stopped short of revealing how much the committee remains in the red, he characterized the committee's fundraising push as 'extremely successful' and member engagement as 'phenomenal.'" http://politi.co/hia1JG


THE CALIFORNIA SPECIAL - FIRST IN SCORE: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, now facing her first Democratic opponent in the race for outgoing Rep. Jane Harman's House seat, has picked up the endorsement of Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra. The congressman joins Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Assembly Speaker John Perez and other leading Democrats in backing Hahn.


MEET THE COMPETITION: Hahn's head start hasn't deterred California Secretary of State Debra Bowen from competing with her in the special election on the Democratic side. The Los Angeles Times wraps up Bowen's announcement yesterday: "In announcing her candidacy, Bowen touted her accomplishments as secretary of state, including improving voting systems security. ... Bowen served 14 years in the state Legislature, in districts which overlapped much of the congressional district, so she is well known. Hahn's San Pedro home is in the southern part of the district but she has run for a congressional seat before in the area and has made a point of appearing at events in the beach cities and other communities in the district." http://lat.ms/es9sbb


THE FOX PRIMARY - CAUCUS EVE: The Republican Party of Iowa and Fox News will host a debate between the Republican presidential candidates just days before next year's caucuses. Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson: "The Iowa Caucuses are currently scheduled for Monday, February 6, 202, but no firm date has been set for this FOX News/Republican Party of Iowa debate, however, as there's a possibility other states may try to leap-frog in front of Iowa's Caucuses. If that were to happen, Iowa officials would move the Caucuses ahead on the calendar and Strawn says the debate can easily be held earlier, too. ... FOX News has a previous arrangement with the Republican Party of Iowa to co-host a candidate debate this coming August, two days before the G.O.P.'s Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa." http://bit.ly/f1Jy1X


BUT WILL ROMNEY GO ALL-IN? In the course of a long piece questioning whether the Iowa caucuses will keep their central place in 2012, the AP's Mike Glover gets this tantalizing quote from Mitt Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom: "Fehrnstrom said if Romney runs in 2012, he'll take a different approach than in 2008, when he visited [Iowa] often, spent $10 million and at one point had 200 staffers in the state, but lost badly. 'I would not look for Mitt to follow that pattern again,' said Fehrnstrom, who declined to elaborate on why Romney would retool his strategy." http://bit.ly/eBCILZ


WASILLA BULLETIN - TWO STEPS BACK: Sarah Palin won headlines over the last few days for picking up a new chief of staff in former Bob Dole adviser Michael Glassner. But New York magazine reports that Palin's brain trust has actually diminished over the last few months, thanks to the departure of two senior advisers: "According to sources with knowledge of Palinland, Palin parted ways with longtime aides Jason Recher and Doug McMarlin just before the midterm elections. Until recently, Recher was a key player in Palin's operation. The shuffling of mid-level staffers would seem like a minor, inside development, but the move carries much larger significance: Palin's staffing issues remain one of her biggest political weak spots when compared to her talents as a speaker, fund-raiser, and media personality." http://bit.ly/hmHb7v


NOT A GOOD HEADLINE: "Barbour won't denounce proposal for Confederate license plate" - AP's Emily Wagster Pettus: "Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said Tuesday after the energy speech in Jackson that he won't denounce a Southern heritage group's proposal for a state-issued license plate that would honor Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was an early leader of the Ku Klux Klan. ... Barbour said he doesn't think Mississippi legislators will approve the Forrest license plate proposed by the Mississippi Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans. ... Asked about the NAACP's stance Tuesday, Barbour replied: 'I don't go around denouncing people. That's not going to happen. I don't even denounce the news media. ... I know there's not a chance it'll become law.'" http://bit.ly/dGCq4K


SENATE TALKER I - NOT THE KENNEDY SEAT - From WFSB-TV: "The scion of one of America's most famous political families said tonight he will not run for the senate seat currently held by Senator Joe Lieberman. Ted Kennedy, Junior told reporters he might run someday, but now is not the time. In a brief interview with Channel 3′s Karen Lee, Kennedy cited his desire to be around for his two children as the reason for not running, saying 'I have to finish that job.' ... Kennedy added that he is still young (he turns 50 later this year) and will have other political opportunities in the future." http://bit.ly/f9mOys


SENATE TALKER II - YES HE KAINE? President Barack Obama is expected to speak with DNC Chairman Tim Kaine about the Senate race unfolding in Kaine's home state of Virginia - if the two haven't consulted already. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Tuesday: "Kaine is expected to speak with President Barack Obama in the next day or two before deciding whether to re-enter elective politics and run for the U.S. Senate ... Kaine, Obama's handpicked chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said he could discuss the issue with the president as early as today. The former governor said he was 'flattered' by the interest and support shown for him running for office, but said he needs to have additional discussions on the matter before making a decision." http://bit.ly/g5NB9I


NOW THAT'S A DRAFT: The liberal Internet hub Daily Kos has launched an effort to pull Wall Street watchdog and Obama administration adviser Elizabeth Warren into the Massachusetts Senate race. Chris Bowers made the case for Warren: "Scott Brown is popular. So, in order to win in Massachusetts, we're going to need an energetic candidate who knows how to pick and win fights. We're gonna need someone who can deliver a populist economic message that connects with the millions of voters facing economic hardship--a message which is distinct from both Wall Street and the Tea Party. And we are going to need someone who has a record of success to back up that rhetoric, so voters know it isn't just talk. Elizabeth Warren meets all of these criteria like almost no one else can." http://bit.ly/fHFzk9


POPPING ON 2012 LIVE - "T-Paw doing Vegas next week" - POLITICO's Molly Ball: "Tim Pawlenty travels to Nevada next week, visiting the early-caucus state for private meetings on Monday, an aide confirmed to POLITICO. The Las Vegas visit will include an invitation-only evening meet-and-greet with top local Republicans ... The event is being hosted at a private home by November Inc., one of the state's top GOP consulting firms. Headed up by Mike Slanker, a former political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the firm managed Gov. Brian Sandoval's successful 2010 campaign."Pawlenty is in Florida today to meet with state legislators at the invitation of state Senate President Mike Haridopolos; he's also scheduled to sit down with Gov. Rick Scott. http://politi.co/f47P5n and http://bit.ly/g2PUgQ


BACK IN WASHINGTON - From the White House guidance: "T]he President and the Vice President will meet with the Senate Democratic Leadership. Expected attendees include Senator Reid, Senator Durbin, Senator Schumer and Senator Murray."


THE CRAIGSLIST ELECTION - New York Republicans likely to tap state Assemblywoman Jane Corwin for the race to succeed recently resigned GOP Rep. Chris Lee. The Albany Times Union: "Most Republicans are talking about Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, R-Clarence, as their best bet, but interviews with several candidates will be conducted Sunday in Batavia, and a final designee will be named the following Monday." PLUS - NOTED: "Democrats are still having an 'informal process,' according to Assemblyman Joe Morelle, the Monroe County Democratic chairman. ... 'The national representatives from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have been in Buffalo and Western New York the past several days and are still here,' said Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan. 'They're talking to everyone, and I would say at some point the DCCC will tell us what their feeling are and whether they're going to get involved.'" http://bit.ly/fZg1Ge


ENSIGN'S PATH - SUCH AS IT IS - Jon Ralston says that if the highly endangered senator has even a small chance of winning in a GOP primary, he may have Sharron Angle to thank for it: "So if it's [Rep. Dean] Heller-Ensign, it's game over for the incumbent, barring anything cataclysmic befalling the congressman or Ensign hypnotizing the Nevada electorate to believe it was all a case of mistaken identity. The only fly in the Heller anointment is if the mercurial Sharron Angle were to decide to run, too. Angle does have an affinity for crowded GOP primaries and she enjoys taking on Republican incumbents. But if she had any smart advisers or attuned political antennae, she would immediately announce for Heller's seat and be the front-runner." http://bit.ly/hlR5yY


CODA - QUOTE OF THE DAY: "He's been very busy shoveling snow out there. I've been very impressed with that. I never saw him shoveling around here." - President Obama, telling reporters at a press conference yesterday that Rahm Emanuel is "doing fine" in his campaign for mayor of Chicago. http://bit.ly/ewdibI

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