Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

I'm a Poll Man:

A new low for PRESIDENT OBAMA in a CBS News poll. The president registers a 46-percent approval rating, his lowest yet in any CBS survey. And the numbers show that domestic issues --not his response to terrorist threats-- appear to be pushing his approval rating downward.
   Just 41-percent of those surveyed approve of the president's handling of the economy. The president's approval on healthcare stands at 36-percent. (Pacelli)

State politics:

Chalk up another one for medical marijuana.
   New Jersey's state legislature voted overwhelmingly yesterday to pass a measure legalizing medical marijuana. The vote was 48 to 16. Gov JON CORZINE will sign it before leaving office next week.
   The bill allows New Jersey residents to use marijuana legally if diagnosed with any of a range of conditions and diseases including AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, and muscle spasms.

Ways politicians would be better if they smoked marijuana (Maiman):

   --President would crack up every time someone said "Joint Chiefs"
   --Governor issues 2 am order for National Guard troops to invade snack aisle at 7-11
   --Filibuster deteriorates into rambling speculation on whether or not America is, like, just a teensy little flea on the back of a giant dog, ya know?
   --Your senator really gets into the bass line of the "Star Spangled Banner"
   --Congressional candidate books Pink Floyd for the fried chicken fundraiser
   --Mayor often seen standing in the middle of his office, wondering what he went in there for
   --Dispatch health department to study the synthesis and coordination chemistry of McDonald's and the Marijuana High
   --Picks a lightweight, little-known governor from Alaska as his presidential running mate
   --Instead of denying everything, just say you were stoned at the time

Watercooler:

Gasp! Advertising Age reports the cold weather across the country has prompted Allstar Marketing Group to temporarily STOP advertising its SNUGGIE! It might seem counterintuitive, but it's apparently because demand is outpacing supply.
   "It's a nice problem to have," says Allstar VP of marketing ANNE FLYNN. "But when people want their Snuggies, they want them now." (And we don't want to incite any Snuggie Rage, now, do we? --Kaye)
   Editor's note: Guess I'll just have to cruise over and get a SLANKET! Or in (co-host's) case, a SKANKET.

But wait --there's more. USA Today says the Snuggie has become so popular, there's a raft of spin-offs in the works.
   Ion Audio is releasing the 'Toasty,' which is basically a Snuggie --a fleece blanket-- with a heating element and thermostat built in. That's right: 'set it and forget it' (Whoops --wrong infomercial --Ed)!
   The 'Toasty' will set you back $60 and will be available starting this spring.
   Editor's note: Is it just me, or will anybody need an electric blanket in the SPRING???

And --if you're REALLY cold --there's always the Sleeping Bag Suit. The Lippi Selk Bag goes for anywhere from $119-150 on the internet, and looks like a combination between a hazmat suit and a ninja robe, which the makers say will keep you comfortable at temperatures as low as 14° Fahrenheit. Climb on in!

But wait --there's even more! A Spanish man has invented a set of bed sheets that have Viagra pre-infused into the fabric. Now we're talkin'!

Sequel news:

Paramount says they're ready to do a sequel to last summer's "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," and is in the process of hiring a couple of writers to do the script.
   Also in the works: a sequel for the "Star Trek" re-boot with the younger versions of Kirk, Spock, Bones and the rest. Variety says J-J ABRAMS will once again produce the flick, and is working on a deal to direct it.
   But... Columbia Pictures has pulled the plug on "Spider Man 4" and has says TOBEY MAGUIRE is hanging up the Spider suit for this one and they're going with a younger (read: cheaper) actor to play Spidey as a high school student.
   Variety also says director SAM RAIMI is o-u-t as well.