• Obama to hold traditional meeting with Mexican president next week

• Cheney says no need for pre-emptive pardons for those involved in harsh interrogations

• NASA to show off its latest moon buggy _ a hard top, no convertible _ in inaugural parade

• Cheney tells AP: North Korea helped Syria build nuclear reactor

• Law enforcement wants stimulus money but a conservative scholar garbles the message

• JFK Museum opens new exhibit on famous speech before Obama inauguration

• Former Pentagon boss predicts a nuclear crisis with Iran within Obama's first year in office

• Is Obama's spider sense tingling? Spider-Man features president-elect in new comic book

• Faces of Hope from Clinton's 1992 inaugural are hopeful again as Obama's swearing-in nears

• Hillary Clinton's State Department team takes shape with familiar figures, seasoned diplomats

• INSIDE WASHINGTON: Republicans seek to make an example of attorney general nominee

• Text of Barack Obama's speech on the economy

• Obama says recovery plan will be free of earmarks

• Report finds a widespread, distressing lack of attention to managing nation's nukes

• Congress asks federal judge not to let Bush administration send disputed records to Archives

• Obama plan aims at schools, roads, bridges, energy, technology and medical-record upgrade

• Mukasey says farewell to Justice Dept. he led for a year

• Obama determined to hang onto Blackberry; Legal advisers fret over protecting e-mail privacy

• Obama's pick to shape up federal agencies has experience trying to fix the IRS

• Key Fla. Senate seat a toss-up in 2010 without Jeb Bush's well-known name on the ballot

• Cheney says he has no reason to believe CIA did anything illegal in harsh interrogations

• PROMISES, PROMISES: Despite campaign pledge, Obama names defense lobbyist to top Pentagon post

• Obama urges bold, quick action to fix economy, but not all Democrats are on board

• Obama's proposed tax cuts in stimulus plan draw criticism from fellow Democrats in Senate

• Matthews tells "Hardball" staff he won't run for Senate seat against Specter in 2010

• Analysis: For Obama, passing a stimulus will be a pickup game compared to fixing entitlements

• Amtrak prepares for large crowds along tracks as Obama travels to inauguration by train

• Republican Missouri Sen. Kit Bond declines to seek fifth term in 2010

• Vice President-elect Biden visits Kuwait on trip to southwest Asia, aides say

• Anti-terror officials see Mumbai attacks as model for low-frills terrorism

• Obama names Kaine as DNC chief, signals party mission will be pragmatic, progressive

• Obama eyes shake up of counterterrorism apparatus, tapping career CIA man as coordinator

• In centuries-old tradition, Congress confirms Obama as the next president

• With friend headed to the White House, Democrats push labor rights agenda

• Daschle promises aggressive action on overhauling health care system he calls mediocre

• The Influence Game: With new tactics and allies, homebuilders revive a coveted tax break

• Attorney General Mukasey limits right to lawyer for immigrants who are facing deportation

• EPA reconsiders decision to not set a standard for toxic rocket fuel in drinking water

• Obama introduces new DNC chief, praises absent Dean

• Pentagon says it takes PTSD seriously, despite refusal to award troops Purple Heart for it

• Bush warns against abandoning 'No Child Left Behind Act' when his presidency is over

• Senators call for stronger standards for toxic coal ash after Tennessee spill

• House Judiciary chairman Conyers opposes CNN's Gupta for surgeon general

• FACT CHECK: Senate rule requiring 2 signatures to seat Burris is open to interpretation

• Judicial Watch sues Senate for refusing to seat Burris as Obama's successor in Illinois seat

• Congressional Black Caucus calls for Burris to be seated in Senate

• Congressional Budget Office projects $1.2 trillion deficit for 2009

• Quotes on Burris taking Senate seat: When 'no' doesn't mean forever

• Bush administration will not finish new fuel economy rules amid industry financial problems

• Inauguration attractive terrorist target but officials have no specific info about plots

• Obama gets advice at 'extraordinary' gathering of US presidents; Bush welcomes him to club

• Democrats yield to pressure from Obama and retreat on rejection of Burris for Senate seat

• Obama pledges to tackle Social Security, Medicare as deficit soars; names spending watchdog

• Bush administration official says Obama will face early challenge from NKorea

• Rice extends UN visit amid debate over proposed Gaza cease-fire

• Where in the world will George W. Bush go when presidency ends? Answer: Home to Midland, Texas

• Laura Bush unveils official china for George W. Bush, perhaps too late to use it herself

• US blames Russia in Ukraine gas dispute, warns policies could undermine Moscow's influence

• FDA weighs approval of anti-clotting drug from milk of genetically engineered goats

• Streets, bridges and interstate highways closing to traffic for Obama inauguration

• Quest Diagnostics: Issues that led to inaccuracies in 'small minority' of tests now fixed

• Obama declines to get into debate over whether to name Burris his successor in Senate

• Obama says entitlements to be factor in deficit control

• Obama defends low-profile stance on Gaza, says US can have only 1 leader at a time

• Obama picks former Clinton administration official for performance auditing position

• Portrait Gallery to hang iconic Obama 'Hope' portrait by Inauguration Day

• Obama invites 'Everyday Americans' to join Whistle Stop Tour to DC for inaugural festivities

• Feinstein intends to support Panetta for CIA chief

• Focus, aim and _ stop! Rain forces Rose Garden presidents photo-shoot to move to Oval Office

• Top Democrats misstepped, misjudged in handling Illinois governor's Senate appointment

• Former Australian leader has Blair House reserved, bumping Obama and family

• Terror suspects held in Afghanistan seek Gitmo rights to sue for their release

• Analysis: Big stimulus package may help revive sick ecnomy, but with unpleasant side effects

• House OKs public disclosure of donations to presidential libraries; Senate has yet to act

• Obama wants economic stimulus to include programs that cut energy use in federal buildings

• With no serious objections expected, Clinton on way to becoming nation's top diplomat

• Democratic official: Obama urged Senate leaders to resolve Burris appointment matter amicably

• House Dems to take up Obama-favored legislation to expand children's health insurance coverage

• Army sorry for letter that called surviving family members 'John Doe' rather than real names

• Gates estimates 2009 war costs at $136 billion, but says Obama review to come

• Congress opens with pledge to tackle economy _ a cheerful first day with a sober assignment

• Former Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush won't run for Senate in 2010, saying it's not the 'right time'

• Five former Blackwater guards plead not guilty to killing Iraqi civilians in Baghdad shooting

• Prominent businessman linked to Richardson also donated to the president-elect's campaign

• IRS softening heart for delinquent taxpayers snared by recession

• Obama nominee to head VA pledges to expand health care for middle-income veterans