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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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,” …

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.

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.

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.

Glory for Democrats, Riding on a Single Vote  —  OMAHA — Yes, county election officials here are certainly aware that the presidential race is considered over and done.  And they know that President-elect Barack Obama has already been warmly embraced by much of the world, held his first news conference and toured the White House.

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.”

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 …

Rep. Broun regrets linking Obama, Hitler  —  Fellow lawmakers criticize remarks  —  WASHINGTON — Georgia Congressman Paul Broun Tuesday backed away from comparing the policies of President-elect Obama to those of Hitler or a Marxist dictator.  —  After stirring a controversy …

Presidential race not over in Missouri  —  The presidential contest is still not over in Missouri, even if President-elect Barack Obama is already sizing up the White House.  —  In fact, the vote count in Missouri is tightening.  —  Republican John McCain's statewide lead has shrunk …

The Gray Lady turns pasty white: Is the financial demise of The Times at hand?  —  In 1896, Adolph Ochs bought The New York Times and boldly placed on its front-page flag the slogan All The News That's Fit To Print.  Today, its publisher, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., may need to rewrite …

Obama's Bailout Bunch Brings Us More of the Same: Jonathan Weil  —  Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) — It's hard to believe Barack Obama would even think of calling this change.  —  Take a good look at some of the 17 people our nation's president-elect chose last week for his Transition Economic Advisory Board.

Scarborough now guarded by a seven-second delay.»  —  Yesterday, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough accidentally dropped the f-bomb while live on air.  After apologizing, Scarborough said, “My wife is going to kill me when I get home.”  (Watch the incident here.)

The End  —  The era that defined Wall Street is finally, officially over.  Michael Lewis, who chronicled its excess in Liar's Poker, returns to his old haunt to figure out what went wrong.  —  Photoillustration by: Ji Lee  —  To this day, the willingness of a Wall Street investment bank …

Layoffs hit Al Gore's Current Media  —  There have been layoffs at Current Media, the cable network co-founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.  —  A statement from Current put the number of layoffs at about 60 positions, with 30 more to be refilled, the company said in a statement.

Reported Obama-Hamas Contacts Bode Ill  —  Another clash between Obama's public statements and his team's behind-the-scenes activities.  —  In an interview published Tuesday in the London-based Al-Hayat, Dr. Ahmad Yousef, political adviser to Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh …

Rejected Secret Service Names for the Obamas  —  The Secret Service code names for the First Family-elect are another odd assortment of seemingly random words, all starting with the letter R.  —  John McCain may have been a self styled Maverick, but Barack Obama's Secret Service code name is Renegade.

Responding to Obama's Win, Michael (Son of) Reagan Says, Go After Dems on Sex  —  The Obama win is driving some conservatives crazy.  On Tuesday, Michael Reagan, talk show host and son of Ronald, sent out an email announcing a new outfit called Reagan Action, which among other things …