Spending to Rise Under Health Care Overhaul

The nation's health care tab will go up -- not down -- as a result of President Barack Obama's sweeping overhaul. That's the conclusion of a government forecast released Thursday, which also finds the increase will be modest.

Rift Over Tax Cuts Widens Among Democrats

Growing reservations among Democrats about letting tax rates rise for wealthy Americans are making it more unlikely that Congress will decide what to do about the looming expiration of Bush-era tax cuts before November's election.

Schwarzenegger Continues to Reject Prop 8 Appeal

California's governor does not have the legal duty to appeal the recent ruling that overturned the state's same-sex marriage ban, a lawyer for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday.

Ohio House Races: A Midterm Bellwether for Endangered Dems

Since taking office, President Obama has visited Ohio, the nation's premier political bellwether state more than any other -- 10 times to promote and defend his embattled economic agenda and to blast Republican opposition.

Alaska's Murkowski 'Still in This Game' Despite Conceding GOP Senate Primary

The incumbent senator says she's been inundated with calls and e-mails from supporters, asking her not to leave the race, and she's weighing her options

House Set to Vote Again on Bill to Aid 9/11 Responders

The House is expected to reconsider a bill this month to provide up to $7.4 billion to workers sickened during cleanup of World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11 attacks, lawmakers from New York said Wednesday.

'Office' Spoof Casts Reid as Congressional Michael Scott

A new Republican video is out that uses a spoof of "The Office" to cast Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as the congressional version of bumbling boss Michael Scott. 

Virginia Cracks Down on Drivers Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

Gov. Bob McDonnell's crackdown on immigrants using a federal document to get a Virginia driver's license is the latest example of a state taking immigration matters into its own hand.

Murkowski Likely to Run in Alaska Senate Race

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is expected to mount an independent campaign for senator after losing her primary, much to the dismay of her Republican colleagues, who won't back her, according to a senior GOP leadership aide. 

Presidential Speech Backdrops Lend People Power to Obama Message

The select guests lucky enough to sit directly behind the president get the honor of being in arm's reach of the commander-in-chief on national television; in turn, the president can imply, by virtue of their presence and enthusiasm, the American people are on his side. 

Obama Targets Boehner, Casts Election as 'Fear Versus Hope'

President Obama, in Cleveland to deliver an aggressive campaign-style speech, urged voters not to buy the economic plan Republicans are selling, casting the upcoming election as one of "fear versus hope." 

Emanuel Would Face Field of Candidates in Race for Chicago Mayor

The race for Chicago mayor, a contest that kicked off Tuesday afternoon when Richard Daley announced he would not seek reelection, promises to be an elbow-throwing free-for-all the likes of which the Windy City hasn't seen in decades. 

Hartford's Inclusion of Muslim Prayers in Council Meetings Sparks Outrage

The decision by Hartford, Conn., leaders to begin kicking off their council meetings with a Koranic prayer in a show of solidarity to Muslims led to a busy morning Wednesday for staff members bombarded by hate mail overnight.

Obama Going Personal in Bid to Sell Economic Plan, Lift Political Spirits Toward Party

President Obama, once again hard on the campaign stump trying to sell his economic agenda, plans to return to the kind of intimate and inspiring vibe that carried first his autobiography, then his breakout 2004 DNC speech and ultimately his juggernaut presidential campaign. 

Clinton: National Debt Holding America Back

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a speech meant to herald the arrival of a "new American moment," warned Wednesday that the national debt could weaken the United States and prevent the country from exerting its influence overseas. She said the trillions left on the national credit card have eroded America's ability to "chart our own destiny." 

White House Stands By King Quote on New Oval Office Rug

President Obama's spokesman said Tuesday the White House was correct to attribute a famous quotation in the rug's pattern to Martin Luther King Jr., even though the civil rights leader acknowledged being inspired by a 19th-century abolitionist, Thomas Parker. 

No Income Tax Cuts for Small Business Owners? Obama to Outline Goals in Speech

President Obama is expected to announce his opposition to extending tax cuts for the wealthy during an economic speech in Cleveland Wednesday, but White House officials told Fox News not to expect the president to draw a line in the sand.

Timeline: Mayor Daley's Career

Some Dems Campaign Against ObamaCare While Others Stay Mum

While President Obama touts the new health care law everywhere he goes, many members of his party are saying just the opposite in re-election ads, making sure their constituents know they voted against the unpopular overhaul.

Will Holder Be Next to Wade Into Mosque Debate?

Attorney General Eric Holder was meeting Tuesday with Muslim and other religious leaders to discuss recent attacks on Muslims and the uproar over a planned mosque near Ground Zero in New York.