From the desk of Robert Rappaport on Monday, December 1st 2008 at 9:14

AND SO IT BEGINS, OR DOES IT?

Although not as quite as slow as summer, the newscasts traditionally become a bit harder to fill this time of year, but this year may be an exception. Sure, we always have the stories about charities suffering and people doing good deeds over the holidays, but that is usually what's expected and not much else develops.

However, this year should be something special. The national story of presidential shifting of power has now taken on an Arizona hook, as Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano heads to Washington, D.C. to serve as the new Homeland Security Secretary in the Obama administration. With that story brings the soon-to-be new governor, Republican Secretary of State Jan Brewer, who undoubtedly will have a different relationship with the Arizona Legislature, as the Republicans now will control all branches of state government and Brewer's views are often in direct opposition to Napolitano's.

All of this is contingent on Napolitano being confirmed to her new job, but the pundits say confirmation should be a mere formality.

A slow news cycle this holiday? This year, I doubt it.

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