Politics: CBSNews.com

The Polling Challenges For 2009

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:40:36 EST

Did we learn anything in 2008 election campaign polling that will help us measure the public"s assessment of the new administration in Washington? CBS News director of surveys Kathy Frankovic reports.

Panetta's Peers Back Him for CIA

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:30:02 EST

As questions continued to swirl about Barack Obama's selection of Panetta to be his CIA director, several of his former White House colleagues rebutted criticism that he lacked the necessary experience, reports The Washington Post.

Obama Taps Watchdog For Federal Programs

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:30:03 EST

President-elect Barack Obama named Nancy Killefer as his administration's chief performance officer, creating a new White House position as part of an effort to eliminate government waste and improve efficiency.

Joe The War Correspondent?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:00:02 EST

Joe the Plumber is taking on a new job. The Ohio man, who became famous during the U.S. presidential campaign after asking Barack Obama about his tax plan, is heading to Israel as a war correspondent for a conservative Web site called pjtv.com.

Report: U.S. $1.2 Trillion In The Hole

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:30:03 EST

The U.S. federal budget deficit will hit an unparalleled $1.2 trillion for the 2009 budget year, according to a Capitol Hill aide briefed on new Congressional Budget Office figures.

The Cost Of War: $136 Billion In 2009

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:00:03 EST

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan would cost almost $136 billion for the 2009 budget year that began Oct. 1 if they continue at their current pace.

Video Emerges Of Obama The Food Critic

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:30:03 EST

Barack and Michelle Obama are known for nights out on the town in Chicago, dining at some of its poshest restaurants with the smartest chefs. But who knew the president-elect was a food critic?

Obama Joins Exclusive Lunch Club

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:30:02 EST

President-elect Barack Obama will sit down Wednesday for an exclusive lunch, joining President George W. Bush and all three living former presidents to talk about the job and life in the White House.

Obama Defends CIA Pick Panetta

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:30:02 EST

President-elect Barack Obama is defending his unexpected CIA nominee Leon Panetta, who faced a surge of skepticism in Congress on Tuesday but is not expected to draw serious opposition when his confirmation reaches the Senate Intelligence Committee.

House, Senate Convene For New Congress

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:30:02 EST

The House and Senate have convened for a new Congress that will immediately confront the country's struggling economy.

A Bush Legacy: Preserving The Oceans?

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:30:02 EST

Of course, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will always be part of the legacy of George W. Bush. But he may also be remembered for something else: Preserving the oceans. Jim Axelrod has the story.

RNC Chair Hopefuls Cite Love Of Reagan

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:30:02 EST

The half a dozen men vying to be Republican National Committee chairman assembled for a debate yesterday, but it quickly turned into a duel over who could best disparage their president and their party, reports the Washington Post.

Senate Turns Down Roland Burris

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:01 EST

President-elect Barack Obama's appointed successor, Roland Burris, was turned away when he appeared at the U.S. Capitol to take his seat.

Richardson, Obama Teams Trade Blame

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:19:51 EST

President-elect Barack Obama's vetting team underestimated a potential time bomb -- a grand jury investigation that had been focusing on New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's gubernatorial office, reports the Washington Post.

U.S. Spends Millions To Dole Out Bailout

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:00:02 EST

The U.S. government estimates it will spend $6.5 million by the end of January in salaries and other administrative costs for the $700 billion financial rescue program.

Coulter, Harry Take Each Other On

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:30:04 EST

They had wordss on The Early Show about her mention of him in her new book, and other matters.

Burris Plows Ahead In Senate Bid

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:30:02 EST

Despite overwhelming political support against his appointment to the U.S. Senate, Roland Burris said he plans to take his seat as Illinois' junior senator.

Panetta's Past Atypical For CIA Nominee

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:22:28 EST

Leon Panetta, Barack Obama's surprise choice to head the CIA, clearly isn't someone with much hands-on national security or intelligence experience. But no one disputes that the man knows government.

Obama Courts GOP On Economic Plan

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:30:02 EST

President-elect Barack Obama wants his first legislative push in office to include significant Republican support, despite Democrats already enjoying majorities in both houses of Congress.

Generation Y Comes To Congress

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:30:04 EST

Republican Aaron Schock, already a political veteran of sorts at 27, begins his term as a congressman from Illinois, as Bill Plante reports.

Treasury Sends Banks Another $15 Billion

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:30:02 EST

The government said Monday it had supplied another $15 billion to seven U.S. banks in the latest round of payments from the $700 billion rescue fund.

Franken Certified Winner Of Minn. Recount

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:30:04 EST

A Minnesota board on Monday certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state's U.S. Senate recount over Republican Norm Coleman, whose lawyer promised a legal challenge that will keep the race in limbo for weeks.

Biden To Take Stock In Terror Heartland

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:00:03 EST

Joe Biden is heading to Southwest Asia just days before becoming vice president, a visit that signals the new administration's plans to make the troubled region an immediate priority.

Obama Surprises With CIA Pick

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:00:03 EST

Sources tell CBS News that President-elect Barack Obama has selected two more people for his intelligence team - Leon Panetta to be CIA director and Retired Admiral Dennis Blair to be director of national intelligence.

Obama Pushes Bipartisan Effort On Stimulus

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:00:03 EST

President-elect Barack Obama, commencing face to face consultations with congressional leaders, is embracing an unexpectedly large tax cut of up to $300 billion. Obama said the country faces an "extraordinary economic challenge."

More Time OK'd For Blagojevich Indictment

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:30:02 EST

A federal judge in Chicago has given prosecutors an additional three months to present evidence and obtain an indictment in the corruption case against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The Cheney Exit Interview

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:00:02 EST

Vice President Dick Cheney is confident that not only have the Bush administration's controversial surveillance and detention policies proved successful, but that, if he had the chance, he would do it all over again.

Big Tax Cuts In The Works

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:30:02 EST

To foster bipartisan support for his record-setting economic stimulus, President-elect Barack Obama plans to propose huge tax cuts for businesses and middle-class workers totaling about 40 percent of the package, up to $310 billion.

Richardson Pick Proves Hitch For Obama

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:00:02 EST

Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn as the Commerce Secretary designate, pending a grand jury investigation into a financial firm's contract with New Mexico. Now there are questions about Obama's transition team's vetting process.

Sources: Tim Kaine To Become DNC Chairman

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:30:02 EST

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is set to become the next chairman of the Democratic Party. Two Democratic officials said Sunday that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen the governor to take over the Democratic National Committee.

Showdown Looms Over Blagojevich Pick

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:30:02 EST

Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris plans to have a high-stakes showdown on Capitol Hill this week with Democratic leaders who continue to say he won't be seated in Congress.

Obama Girls Students Here? No Big Deal!

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:30:02 EST

Fellow students at their new, ultra-elite school in Washington say the hubbub over their presence is likely to subside in a hurry.

Denver Schools Chief To Replace Salazar

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:30:02 EST

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter appointed Denver's public schools superintendent to fill a Senate vacancy that will be created by the promotion of Sen. Ken Salazar to interior secretary in the Obama administration.

Bush Remembered For Not-So-Smooth Talk

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:00:02 EST

President George W. Bush will leave behind a legacy of Bushisms, the label stamped on the commander in chief's original speaking style. A look back at some of the president's more notable malaprops and mangled statements.

Is Gaza Bombing Too Much? Bush Won't Say

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:30:03 EST

From Day One of the Israeli air strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, the Bush administration has asserted Israel"s right to defend itself. But the White House has declined to say whether the offensive is proportionate to the threat.

Minn. Recount Nears End; Up Next: Lawsuits

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:30:01 EST

This week, Minnesota's Canvassing Board will declare what everyone's been waiting for in the state's prolonged U.S. Senate race: A winner. But lawsuits are likely to delay the ultimate outcome much longer.

Richardson Withdraws As Obama Nominee

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:30:03 EST

CBS News has confirmed from a Democratic source that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn as the Commerce Secretary designate, and that President-elect Barack Obama has accepted that withdrawal.

Vote To Impeach Blago May Come Next Week

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:00:02 EST

The Illinois House could vote as early as next week on whether to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The Illinois House has bumped up its schedule and will meet several days next week.

GOP May Block Attempt To Seat Franken

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:15:24 EST

A top Senate Republican said his caucus would block any attempt to seat the winner of Minnesota's close election until an anticipated court case is finished and an official election certificate is issued.

Obama's Priorities Before The Inauguration

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:00:01 EST

Even though he's been saying that the U.S. has only one president at a time, the president-elect hasn't been shy about wanting an economic stimulus package ready for a vote in Congress. It's only one of several issues getting his attention.

Obama's "One President" Gambit

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:00:04 EST

While the "one president" philosophy has kept Obama mum on emerging foreign policy crises, he has abandoned it when it comes to the economy, talking at great length about his plans for the nation's financial recovery, the Washington Post reports.

Pell, Champion Of College Grants, Dies

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:00:02 EST

Claiborne Pell, the quirky blueblood who represented blue-collar Rhode Island in the U.S. Senate for 36 years and was the force behind a grant program that has helped tens of millions of Americans attend college, died at 90.

Faces From Obama's Past Reemerge

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:30:04 EST

The image of the three Illinois politicians standing together Tuesday in front of flashing cameras served as a reminder of the political environment in which Obama developed, writes The Washington Post.

Blago Appointee Goes To Ill. Supreme Court

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:30:02 EST

U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris has asked a court to force Secretary of State Jesse White to certify his appointment to President-elect Barack Obama's old Senate seat.

Obama Pledges Schools Upgrade In Stimulus

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:30:03 EST

Barack Obama probably cannot fix every leaky roof and busted boiler in the nation's schools. But educators say his sweeping school modernization program - if he spends enough - could jump-start student achievement.

Race Card Dealt Into Blagojevich Scandal

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:00:02 EST

The issue of race may become a complicating factor in Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's controversial appointment of former state Attorney General Roland Burris to the vacated seat of President-elect Barack Obama.

Lobbyist Linked To McCain Sues NY Times

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:30:04 EST

A Washington lobbyist sued The New York Times for $27 million Tuesday over an article that she says gave the false impression she had an affair with Sen. John McCain in 1999.

GOP Leaders Oppose Haste On Stimulus

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:30:03 EST

Congressional Republicans objected to hurried consideration of President-elect Barack Obama's emerging stimulus proposal, reports The Washington Post, questioning the economic value of many of the projects being floated for inclusion.

Battle Lines Drawn Over Blago Nominee

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:30:02 EST

A defiant Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday named a black political trailblazer to Barack Obama's Senate seat, a surprise move that put the governor's opponents in the uncomfortable position of trying to block his choice.