The easiest way is to download and test the script for your self.

No, she can´t do everything on your list, but pretty much.

Do you also want it to do you the coffe and clean the house? :P

Easy for you to say : )

Installing it might be the easiest way for you computer-genius types to determine its capabilites, but I'm a computer-idiot type.

Can you tell me which of the listed functions it can't accomodate?

Thanks for your patience.

Gee, Bubba, now that you mention it, that'd be great. With cream and sugar, of course…

But seriously, I take it that the list is asking too much?

Do you know of any commercial program that would come closer?

(YES) -complex search of the articles, not the comments
(NO) -ssl, secure login (no cookies required)
(YES*)-after initial placement on the homepage, and subsequent categorization by an editor, a post is automatically moved to the appropriate category(s) after a given number of subsequent posts are placed on the homepage
(YES)-able to handle up to 60 different categories
(YES)-ability for readers to comment on each story, and the ability for the editor to close comment threads
(YES)-customizable appearance (fonts, sizes, colors) of page and posting format
(NO)-it would be ideal if the URL of the link was automatically compared with URLs already entered, and if a newly-submitted link was a repeat, it would be rejected.
(YES)-ability to relocate the poll feature and other features so that the page resembles the layout of the existing site (copwatch.com)
(YES)-categorized posts are retained in perpetuity

* = I think so
For the link part, you can yet it up so you approve each link before it's added.

Hey, Big D-

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated.