Michael Steele Is Mad and He's Not Going to Take it Anymore

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Last to Know

Some Republican congressional leaders apparently had no idea GOP Chairman Michael Steele had written a book about the party's future, until they saw him on TV promoting it.

One aid e tells The Washington Post: "No one in the House or Senate leadership knew he had a book contract." Another said Steele is freelancing. The chairman has also taken fire for accepting speaking fees, and for some of his public comments.

Today Steele said on ABC News Radio he's had enough: "If you don't want me in the job — fire me. But until then — shut up."

Bill-ing Issue

A new book says Hillary Clinton hesitated when she was offered the secretary of state job because of concerns about her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

CBS News reports that according to the new book "Game Change," Mrs. Clinton reportedly told president-elect Obama: "There's one last thing that's a problem, which is my husband. You've seen what this is like; it will be a circus if I take this job." President Obama pressed for her to take the job anyway.

Trouble Coming

John McCain's senior adviser during his presidential run says Sarah Palin's poor preparation for the vice presidential debate led one colleague to predict what he called a debacle of historic and epic proportions.

Steve Schmidt says Palin was not focused or engaged during preparations. And he says she kept referring to her opponent as Joe O'Biden, which led aides to come up with her now-famous question: "Can I call you Joe?"

Sorry, Wrong Number

Documents released by the administration Thursday regarding intelligence failures prior to the unsuccessful Christmas Day airplane bombing had two glaring mistakes of their own.

National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair wrote that the suspect "boarded Northwest Flight 153 for Detroit." But it was Flight 253.

And the summary of the White House review said the suspect's father met with U.S. embassy officers in Nigeria on November 18, but it was actually November 19.

In a Nutshell

As the U.S. and other countries attempt to implement heightened security measures at various airports, our neighbors to the north are focusing on another issue.

The Canadian Transportation Agency has ruled that Air Canada must create a special buffer zone on flights for people who are allergic to nuts, saying people with nut allergies should be considered disabled and accommodated with a separate seating section.

Air Canada stopped offering peanuts to passengers years ago, but still offers cashews and other mixed nuts.

— Fox News Channel's Lanna Britt contributed to this report.