Notebook

By Ann Marie Bonardi, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Daren Fonda, Unmesh Kher, Benjamin Nugent, Michele Orecklin, Victoria Rainert and Josh Tyrangiel

WINNERS & LOSERS

[WINNERS]

KIM JONG IL No Nobel, but Albright (and Clinton?) to visit North Korea. Hey, try for '12 Olympic bid too

CHARLES BAKALY Monicagate finally winding down as ex-Starr flack acquitted in news-leak case

JORGE RIVERA NASA official lauded for halting risky shuttle launches. Memo to Firestone: Hire him

[& LOSERS]

JIM LEHRER Fireworks-free second debate doesn't get good ratings or response. Paging Russert...

DR. LAURA Video killed the radio star: gay activists couldn't undo her, but audience apathy could

ARTHUR BLANK Home Depot CEO watches stock slide, but slow demand slows inflation...we hope