Everyday we ask influential politicos to send us their top three bullet points that are driving the day's conversation in and outside Washington.

Good day. We appear to be witnessing the desperation of a dictatorial regime in Egypt, or at least the desperation of those who will lose power when the regime fades from the scene. It is no coincidence that the violence and intimidation gained force in the hours after it become clear President Mubarak would be leaving the stage and most likely sooner than he would hope. The White House has rightly condemned the violence. The more important conversations are the ones we can’t see: President Obama has delivered a series of nudges to the Egyptian leader – and, while there is a legitimate debate over this has been handled, the administration can squarely assert those nudges have moved President Mubarak closer to the exit. But if there is to a final nudge, most in the administration believe it will have to come from the new VP in Egypt and other members of the Mubarak inner circle. The administration believes the turn to violence could bring the longer term calculations of the military into sharper focus: to remain a valued institution in society, the thinking goes; the senior leadership will not want to be tainted by any extended – and violent – effort by regime supporters to lash out. That is the hope. Enjoy your day, and today’s observations from Erick and Jane. – John King

Firedoglake.com Blogger/Founder Jane Hamsher:

– Fiscal Conservatism in Action: Republican National Committee Facing $23M Debt.

– Advice From Obama in Egypt to Obama in DC.

– Our Industrial Policy Needs to Do More than Arm Dictators.

RedState.Com Editor Erick-Woods Erickson:

– Violence escalates in Egypt. The Los Angeles Times reports the U.S. is okay with the Muslim Brotherhood playing a role as long as it renounces violence, which presupposes that it embraces violence.

– The White House hasn't handed over documents requested by Congressman Issa. This is going to be fun.

– With Al Gore blaming global warming on the snow storm instead of . . . say . . . winter, the global warming crowd is beginning to sound more and more like Christians who attribute things to God's will.