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The Senate's vote on the slimmed down $827 billion stimulus bill is expected to take place Tuesday, with the necessary votes. "After cutting deals Friday with three moderate Republicans to pare the cost of the package, Senate Democrats, who control the chamber with a 58-41 majority, are confident of attracting the 60 votes needed to close off debate Monday," the WSJ reports.

*Washington Post, on the GOP's newfound optimism: "Three months after their Election Day drubbing, Republican leaders see glimmers of rebirth in the party's liberation from an unpopular president, its selection of its first African American chairman and, most of all, its stand against a stimulus package that they are increasingly confident will provide little economic jolt but will pay off politically for those who oppose it."

*Although Republicans have touted poll numbers in their arguments against the stimulus and Democrats, the latest Gallup poll finds that the people may not be as behind them as they've said. Obama received a 67%-25% approval-disapproval rating for his handling of the economic stimulus bill. Democrats in Congress were 48%-42%, while Republicans were a dismal 31%-58%.