Presidential Elections

Banks: We'll 'step up now'
Politico – Sun Dec 13, 11:51 pm ET

AFP/File

Facing White House pressure to increase lending, bank CEOs plan to tell President Barack Obama in a meeting on Monday that they are ready to “step up” and take additional steps to promote economic recovery, industry officials tell POLITICO. Full Story »
Mammograms as political weapon
Politico – Sun Dec 13, 11:49 pm ET

The heated Capitol Hill debate over health care coverage for mammograms has exploded onto the political scene, shaping the 2010 electoral landscape and recalibrating the battle for a crucial constituency: the women’s vote. Full Story »
High hurdles ahead for health plan
Politico – Sun Dec 13, 11:46 pm ET

Senate Democrats scrambling to pass a sweeping health care reform bill before Christmas begin this critical week facing a host of nettlesome problems that threaten to derail the Democrats’ fast-track timetable. Full Story »
President Obama gives himself a B-plus grade
AP – Sun Dec 13, 11:43 pm ET

AP

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama, in an interview that aired Sunday, gave himself "a good solid B-plus" grade for his first year in office. Full Story »
Obama: Afghanistan troop rise was hardest decision
Reuters – Sun Dec 13, 7:57 pm ET

Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Sunday his decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan was the toughest of his presidency and said it would be clear within a year whether the strategy was working. Full Story »
Arrests, rattled nerves in Copenhagen
Politico – Sun Dec 13, 7:21 pm ET

COPENHAGEN — Black police vans, with sirens screaming and occupants clutching semiautomatic rifles, barreled past the iconic Marble Church here Sunday, rattling the nerves of climate change conferees trying to enjoy a final break before this week’s intense finale. Full Story »
Obama: Success of strategy evident in a year
AP – Sun Dec 13, 7:01 pm ET

AP

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he'll know by the end of 2010 if his Afghan strategy is working, and pledges to change direction if the U.S. military is not on course "in terms of securing population centers" from Taliban militants. Full Story »
Obama: Expect no more White House gate-crashers
AP – Sun Dec 13, 7:01 pm ET

AP

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says the White House gate-crashers got in through a "screw-up," he's unhappy with everyone involved and it won't happen again. Full Story »
Houston elects openly gay mayor
Reuters – Sun Dec 13, 6:22 pm ET

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Houston Saturday became the first major U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor, Annise Parker, after a hotly contested run-off election that gave gay and lesbian supporters a symbolic victory following defeats over legalizing same-sex marriages in California and Maine. Full Story »
AP News in Brief
AP – Sun Dec 13, 6:13 pm ET

Houston's first openly gay mayor says she hopes election shows city's diversity, changes image Full Story »