Swearing age-old oath, Obama steps into 2nd term

WASHINGTON | President Barack Obama was sworn in for four more years Sunday in a simple ceremony at the White House, embarking on a second-term quest to restore a still-shaky economy and combat terrorists overseas while swearing an age-old oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution.

Cliff looms, as Washington plays kick the can

WASHINGTON | When it comes to the nation's budget challenges, congressional leaders are fond of saying dismissively they don't want to kick the can down the road.

Obama powers to re-election despite weak economy

WASHINGTON | President Barack Obama rolled to re-election Tuesday night, vanquishing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney despite a weak economy that plagued his first term and put a crimp in the middle class dreams of millions. In victory, he confidently promised better days ahead.

Clinton: Obama showing way to more modern economy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. | President Barack Obama inherited a wreck of an economy, "put a floor under the crash" and laid the foundation for millions of good new jobs, former President Bill Clinton declared Wednesday night in a Democratic National Convention appeal aimed at millions of hard-pressed A…

Romney nominated; wife Ann convention star speaker

TAMPA, Fla. | Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney swept to the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday night, praised lovingly by his wife from their national convention stage as the "man America needs" and cheered by delegates eager to propel him into the fall campaign against Presiden…

Republicans nominate Romney, lambaste Obama

TAMPA, Fla. | Mitt Romney swept to the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday night at a storm-delayed national convention scripted to propel him into a close race for the White House in tough economic times.

House GOP pledges speedy review of job proposals

House Republicans pledged a review of President Obama's jobs proposals as he launched a public campaign for urgent passage of his $447 billion program of tax cuts and new spending. "Everything in [the bill] will put more people back to work and more money back in the pockets of those who are…

Sources: Late-night talks promising on debt deal

WASHINGTON | After weeks of intense partisanship, the Obama administration and Republican congressional leaders were said to be making significant progress late Saturday at the White House on last-minute agreement to avoid a debt default.

Obama: Halt '3-ring circus' of debt-limit debate

WASHINGTON | Decrying a "partisan three-ring circus" in the nation's capital, President Barack Obama criticized a newly minted Republican plan to avert an unprecedented government default Monday night and said congressional leaders must produce a compromise that can reach his desk before the…

Still no debt deal

Tea time: Republicans locking up House control

WASHINGTON | Republicans marched toward House control Tuesday night in midterm elections shadowed by recession, locking up enough Democratic seats to install a conservative majority certain to challenge President Barack Obama at virtually every turn.

Democrats who took over House now under GOP duress

INDIANAPOLIS | Conservative Indiana provided the first sign of a Democratic sweep in 2006 when Republicans lost three House seats in the Hoosier state, then glumly watched dozens more fall as polls closed across the country.

Insults abound in 2010 campaigns

WASHINGTON | Name-calling is a winner this campaign season. By a landslide.

Congress clears historic health care bill

WASHINGTON | Summoned to success by President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled Congress approved historic legislation Sunday night extending health care to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and cracking down on insurance company abuses, a climactic chapter in the century-long qu…

With Sunday voting looming, health care battle tilts Obama's way

WASHINGTON | One by one, House Democratic fence-sitters began choosing sides Friday, and the long, turbulent struggle over landmark health care legislation tilted unmistakably in President Barack Obama's direction.

Dems start countdown toward health care vote

WASHINGTON | Democratic congressional leaders showed signs of progress Monday in winning anti-abortion Democrats whose votes are pivotal to President Barack Obama's fiercely contested remake of the health care system.

Senate OK's health care bill in victory for Obama

WASHINGTON | Months ago, a delegation of Republican senators went to the White House with a request for President Barack Obama to take a more gradual approach to health care.

Senate passes health care bill in victory for Obama

WASHINGTON | In an epic struggle settled at dawn, the Democratic-controlled Senate passed health care legislation Thursday, a triumph for President Barack Obama that clears the way for compromise talks with the House on a bill to reduce the ranks of the uninsured and rein in the insurance industry.

Health care bill on brink of Senate passage

WASHINGTON | Democrats pushed sweeping health care legislation to the brink of Senate passage Wednesday, crushing a year-end Republican filibuster against President Barack Obama's call to remake the nation's health care system.

Dems agree to drop gov't-run insurance option

WASHINGTON | After days of secret talks, Senate Democrats tentatively agreed Tuesday night to drop a government-run insurance option from sweeping health care legislation, several officials said, a concession to party moderates whose votes are critical to passage of President Barack Obama's …

Health care bill clears Senate hurdle

WASHINGTON | Democrats united to push health care legislation past a key Senate hurdle over the opposition of Republicans who were eager to inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama. There was not a vote to spare.

House narrowly passes health care bill

WASHINGTON | In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. Republican opposition was nearl…

Senate health bill will embrace 'public option'

WASHINGTON | Health care legislation heading for the Senate floor will give millions of Americans the option of purchasing government-run insurance coverage, Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Monday, although he stopped short of claiming the 60 votes needed to pass a plan steeped in controversy.

US government health plan loses at Senate panel

WASHINGTON | Liberal Democrats failed Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate Finance Committee, despite widespread accusations that private insurers routinely deny coverage in pursuit of higher profits.

Obama to Congress: 'Time for bickering is over'

WASHINGTON | Shaking off a summer of setbacks, President Barack Obama summoned Congress to enact sweeping health care legislation Wednesday night, declaring the "time for bickering is over" and the moment has arrived to protect millions who have unreliable insurance or no coverage at all.

Liberals complain over Obama concession

WASHINGTON | President Barack Obama's weekend concession on a health care "government option" drew complaints from liberals and scarce interest from Republicans and other critics on Monday, a fresh sign of the daunting challenge in finding middle ground in an increasingly partisan political …

Specter says he's switching from GOP to Dems

WASHINGTON | Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania abruptly switched parties Tuesday, a move intended to boost his re-election chances that also pushed Democrats within one seat of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.

Obama plans to sign stimulus measure Tuesday

WASHINGTON | Savoring his first big victory in Congress, President Barack Obama on Saturday celebrated the newly passed $787 billion economic stimulus bill as a "major milestone on our road to recovery. "

Congress gives green light on stimulus

WASHINGTON | Moving with lightning speed, the Democratic-controlled Congress and White House agreed Wednesday on a compromise $790 billion economic stimulus bill designed to create millions of jobs in a nation reeling from recession. President Barack Obama could sign the measure within days.

Gregg withdraws as commerce secretary nominee

WASHINGTON | Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire abruptly withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary, citing "irresolvable conflicts" with President Barack Obama's handling of the economic stimulus and 2010 census.

Stimulus bill agreement announced by key senators

WASHINGTON | Moving with lightning speed, key members of the Senate announced agreement Wednesday on a $790 billion stimulus bill to create millions of jobs, and said President Barack Obama could sign the bill within days.

Senate meets deal on stimulus bill

WASHINGTON | With job losses soaring nationwide, Senate Democrats reached agreement with a small group of Republicans Friday night on an economic stimulus measure at the heart of President Barack Obama's plan for combatting the worst recession in decades.

Deal reached on econ stimulus bill

WASHINGTON | With job losses soaring nationwide, Senate Democrats reached agreement with key Republicans Friday night on an economic stimulus measure at the heart of President Barack Obama's plan for combatting the worst recession in decades.

House passes $819 billion economic stimulus bill

WASHINGTON | In a swift victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House approved a historically huge $819 billion stimulus bill Wednesday night, filled with new spending and tax cuts at the core of the young adminstration's revival plan for the desperately ailing economy.

House Dems push tax breaks through committee

WASHINGTON | Economic stimulus legislation at the heart of President Barack Obama's recovery plan advanced in Congress Thursday over the persistent opposition of Republicans seeking deeper tax cuts than the administration and its Democratic allies favor.

Taking his spot in history

WASHINGTON | Barack Obama stood at the threshold of the White House on Monday, summoning fellow Americans to join him in service as tens of thousands flocked to the nation's capital to celebrate his inauguration as the first black president.

Kennedy rushed by ambulance to a hospital

WASHINGTON | Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., battling a brain tumor, became ill at a post-inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama on Tuesday and was rushed by ambulance to a hospital.

Burris says he's senator -- but Dems won't seat him

WASHINGTON | Senate Democrats struggled to avert a showdown steeped in race and corruption Monday as a defiant Roland Burris declared, "I'm a United States senator" and flew to the capital to claim President-elect Barack Obama's old seat in Congress.

Burris says he's senator -- but Dems won't seat him

WASHINGTON | Senate Democrats struggled to avert a showdown steeped in race and corruption Monday as a defiant Roland Burris declared, "I'm a United States senator" and flew to the capital to claim President-elect Barack Obama's old seat in Congress.

Tax rebate, food stamp money possible in aid plan

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After consulting with Barack Obama, Democratic leaders are likely to call Congress back to work after the election in hopes of passing legislation that would include extended jobless benefits, money for food stamps and possibly a tax rebate, officials said Saturday.

GOP convention opens with appeal for Gustav aid

ST. PAUL, Minn. | Republicans, determined to propel John McCain to the White House, opened their storm-shortened national convention on Monday amid distractions involving running mate Sarah Palin. Police made more than 50 arrests in the surrounding streets as anti-war protests turned violent.

McCain orders convention curtailed for Gustav

ST. PAUL, Minn. | John McCain tore up the script for his Republican National Convention on Sunday, ordering the cancellation of all but essential opening-day activities as Hurricane Gustav churned toward New Orleans.

Dems choose Obama in historic acclamation

DENVER (AP) -- Barack Obama stepped triumphantly into history Wednesday night, the first black American to win a major party presidential nomination, as thousands of Democrats transformed their convention hall into a joyful, shouting celebration.

Clinton wins Texas, Ohio in primary comeback; McCain seals GOP nomination

WASHINGTON | Hillary Rodham Clinton scored comeback primary wins in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island Tuesday night, denting Barack Obama's delegate lead in a riveting Democratic presidential race. Arizona Sen. John McCain, an unflinching supporter of the war in Iraq, clinched the Republican nomination.

Hastert won't seek minority leader post

WASHINGTON | Triggering a post-election shake-up, Dennis Hastert announced Wednesday he will not run for leader of House Republicans when Democrats take control in January.

GOP-run Senate kills proposal to raise minimum wage

WASHINGTON | The Republican-controlled Senate smothered a proposed election-year increase in the minimum wage Wednesday, rejecting Democratic claims that it was past time to boost the $5.15 hourly pay floor that has been in effect for nearly a decade.

Bush picks Cox for SEC chair

WASHINGTON | President Bush named conservative Rep. Christopher Cox to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday, a day after William Donaldson announced he was stepping down after 28 months.

Senate GOP leaders weight Social Security plan with no personal accounts

WASHINGTON | Senate Republican leaders are considering whether to seek Democratic support for Social Security legislation without the personal accounts sought by President Bush, aiming to restore them later, officials said Thursday.

Greenspan urges action on Social Security

WASHINGTON | Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan prodded Congress on Wednesday to curtail the cost of health and retirement benefits promised to baby boomers "sooner rather than later," giving a fresh boost to President Bush's embattled call for personal accounts under Social Security.

Bush and Kerry clash in Midwest over latest jobs report

President Bush hailed a slight decline in unemployment Friday as reason for his re-election, evidence the "economy is strong and getting stronger." Not so, said Sen. John Kerry, countering that the administration's term will end with a net loss of jobs.