ADD BIDEN, HAGEL TO THE LIST OF '08 CANDIDATES

Sen. Joe Biden, a Democrat from Delaware says he will add his name to the growing list of 2008 presidential candidates.

In an interview taped for broadcast tonight and tomorrow on New England Cable News, Biden says he HAS decided to run, would be surprised if Illinois Sen. Barack Obama runs and wouldn't rule out another serious run by Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.

(video if/when available).

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports today that Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is seriously considering a bid for the GOP nomination. Hagel, who has rocked the boat in the GOP Happyland that existed before Nov. 7, had a snowball's chance until the election drove home to party leaders just how unhappy voters had been with Republican leadership and the Bush administration.

COLUMNIST ADVISES ROMNEY TO "TALK MORMON"

Today in Slate, columnist John Dickerson offers some unsolicited, yet seemingly helpful advice to Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who is expected to make a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Dickerson says Romney should, very quickly, start talking about his Morman faith and his religious beliefs - before the media and potential rivals help shape the public's perception of his beliefs for him.