Al Gore, Colin Powell, Caroline Kennedy in Obama's Administration?  —  Obama transition team boss John Podesta threw open the curtains of his operation today to reporters, signaling that the president-elect wants to move quickly, but not hastily, to set up his government.

McCain on Leno Counters Claims That Palin Sunk GOP Ticket  —  The former Republican presidential nominee had only kind words for his running mate, though he didn't address anonymous accounts that she wasn't prepared  —  LOS ANGELES — John McCain said Tuesday that Sarah Palin did not damage …

Edwards speaks about Obama, Clinton but not affair  —  BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — John Edwards didn't have to dodge tough questions from an Indiana University audience Tuesday, when the former presidential candidate returned to the stage three months after admitting to an extramarital affair.

Lobbyists Swarm the Treasury for a Helping of the Bailout Pie  —  WASHINGTON — When the government said it would spend $700 billion to rescue the nation's financial industry, it seemed to be an ocean of money.  But after one of the biggest lobbying free-for-alls in memory, it suddenly looks like a dwindling pool.

Baucus to Push Health-Care Overhaul  —  WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday will release a sweeping proposal to overhaul the health-care system that largely reflects President-elect Barack Obama's vision, increasing the chances for action next year.

Saudi Arabia to Lead U.N. Faith Forum  —  Saudi Arabia, the oil-rich Islamic kingdom that forbids the public practice of other religious faiths, will preside Wednesday over a two-day U.N. conference on religious tolerance that will draw more than a dozen world leaders, including President Bush …

After U.S. Breakthrough, Europe Looks in Mirror  —  PARIS — In the general European euphoria over the election of Barack Obama, there is the beginning of self-reflection about Europe's own troubles with racial integration.  Many are asking if there could be a French, British …

Guantanamo Closure Called Obama Priority  —  The Obama administration will launch a review of the classified files of the approximately 250 detainees at Guantanamo Bay immediately after taking office, as part of an intensive effort to close the U.S. prison in Cuba, according to people who advised the campaign on detainee issues.

White House Says Obama Leaks Not Accurate  —  Obama and Bush Disagree on Stimulus, Auto Help  —  President Bush and President-elect Barack Obama were all smiles and handshakes outside the White House Monday, but the president's aides strongly denied today leaks suggesting that Bush had tried …

Gay marriages set for Wednesday in Connecticut  —  NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut state Rep. Beth Bye and Tracey Wilson hope to become the first gay couple to marry legally in their town of West Hartford on Wednesday.  —  For Wilson, it's both a personal and professional milestone.

Richardson Gets Backing for Cabinet  —  WASHINGTON — The battle for America's top diplomatic post spilled into view Tuesday, as some Hispanic leaders made a public push to have President-elect Barack Obama name Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, as his secretary of state.

A Spokesman So Close, He's the ‘Barack Whisperer’  —  When a CBS correspondent reported last month that Barack Obama's campaign had a malodorous airplane and a dismissive attitude toward the media, Robert Gibbs, the candidate's top spokesman, was not pleased.  —  “Robert wrote a rather tendentious note to me,” Dean Reynolds says.

Democrats Plot Detroit Rescue  —  Democratic leaders in Congress said Tuesday they will push legislation next week to use the $700 billion Wall Street rescue fund to bail out Detroit auto makers, and President-elect Barack Obama ordered his transition team to look at ways to aid the car industry even before his inauguration.

Barone: Media wanted Palin abortion  —  A roomful of academics erupted in angry boos Tuesday morning after political analyst Michael Barone said journalists trashed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republicans' vice presidential nominee, because “she did not abort her Down syndrome baby.”

Bush: ‘I regret’ some things 'I shouldn't have said'  —  NEW YORK (CNN) — As his presidency nears its end, a reflective President Bush suggested Tuesday he regrets some of his more blunt statements on the war on terror over the last eight years, and said he wishes he had not spoken in front of a …

AP Interview: Foley breaks silence on sex scandal  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Even today, two years after Mark Foley's very public fall from grace, the former congressman can't explain why he sent lurid, sexually explicit computer messages to male teens who had worked as Capitol Hill pages.

Buying Binge Slams to Halt  —  Just as one crisis of confidence may be ending, another may be coming.  —  The panic on Wall Street has eased in the last few weeks, and banks have become somewhat more willing to make loans.  But in those same few weeks, American households appear to have fallen into their own defensive crouch.

Top Two Officials In U.S. Intelligence Expect to Lose Jobs  —  The nation's top two intelligence officers expect to be replaced by President-elect Barack Obama early in his administration, according to senior intelligence officials.  —  A number of influential congressional Democrats oppose keeping Director …

Poll finds most Americans welcome Dem control  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — It was one of John McCain's closing arguments: “We're getting a glimpse of what one-party rule would look like under Obama, Pelosi, and Reid.  Apparently it starts with lowering our defenses and raising our taxes,” …