Va. Governor Kaine to Become DNC Chairman  —  Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will become chairman of the Democratic National Committee later this month, serving as the top political messenger for Barack Obama's administration even while he finishes his final year in the governor's mansion, several sources said.

Obama Team Feels Richardson Wasn't Forthcoming About Investigation Before Being Offered Commerce  —  Sources tell ABC News that officials on the Obama Transition Team feel that before he was formally offered the job of commerce secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was not forthcoming …

Team Obama: Richardson misled us  —  It looks as if Barack Obama and his transition team know how badly Bill Richardson's resignation reflects on them.  They have started leaking to the press that Richardson's to blame for the embarrassing spectacle this afternoon of his withdrawal as a Cabinet nominee.

Richardson Withdraws as Commerce Nominee  —  WASHINGTON — Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, one of the country's most prominent Hispanic politicians and President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be commerce secretary, on Sunday dropped out of consideration for that post.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to head DNC  —  Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has been chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to head the Democratic National Committee, a Democratic official said.  —  The pick is a bet that an energetic younger leader will help the party capitalize on the historic enthusiasm that swept Obama to his landslide win.

Virginia Governor Is Named Democratic Committee Chief  —  WASHINGTON — Gov. Tim Kaine, of Virginia, who was a top contender to be President-elect Barack Obama's running mate, has been tapped by him to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Democrats familiar with the decision said Sunday.

Israel splits Gaza in three as soldiers battle Hamas  —  James Hider on the Gaza border and Azmi Keshawi in Gaza City  —  Israeli troops fought heavy battles with Hamas fighters in two densely populated Gaza towns today as the Army sought to split the strip into three sections to cut off the Islamist group's supply lines.