The Manchurian Candidate  —  When Barack Obama posted Jon Huntsman to Beijing, it looked like a crafty way to sideline a 2012 rival.  Don't bet on it.  —  The Huntsmans' new home in the posh D.C. neighborhood of Kalorama is the prototype of pricey Washington real estate: a tall, boxy structure defined by red brick and right angles.

New health-care rules to take effect  —  The new year will bring important changes to U.S. health-insurance rules, as new provisions related to last year's massive health-care overhaul take effect.  —  The new rules are designed to help those caught in Medicare's “doughnut hole,” …

Roberts Seeks More Judicial Confirmations  —  WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. called on President Obama and the Senate on Friday to solve what he called “the persistent problem of judicial vacancies.”  —  The plea, in the chief justice's annual year-end report on the federal judiciary …

‘A big f—  deal’ and more: The top 10 political quotes of 2010  —  Vice President Joe Biden's use of profanity, a New York congressman's admission of groping and a denial of witchcraft were among the top 10 political quotes of 2010.  —  The healthcare reform debate is featured in several others …

Sarah Palin's Nomination Chances: A Reassessment  —  In November 2009, I wrote an article entitled “10 Reasons That Sarah Palin Could Win the Republican Nomination.”  The article wasn't necessarily arguing that she was the favorite to take the nomination, but it did suggest she had a credible chance at it.

NJ Gov. Chris Christie explains why he and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno were out of state during the blizzard  —  During a news conference in Monmouth County, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie explains why he and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno were both out of the state at the same time while NJ was rocked by a blizzard.

Manhattan Status Symbols: Washers and Dryers  —  THE final noisemaker has squealed and the last dinner guest has straggled home, so the holiday extravaganza that is Christmas and New Year's — spread out over two long weekends and punctuated by a blizzard — is over.

Jetliner prompts U.S. Capitol evacuation  —  Police ordered a full evacuation of the Capitol and House and Senate office buildings and scrambled fighter jets for a brief period on New Year's Day after an incoming airliner flew into restricted airspace surrounding the complex …

Interior ministry: Suicide bomber behind Egypt church blast  —  (CNN) — Evidence indicates that a suicide bomber caused the explosion outside a church in Egypt on Saturday that killed at least 21 people, the country's interior ministry said.  —  Authorities believe the bomber was killed in the blast …

Weekly Address: Democrats and Republicans Have Shared Responsibility to Move America Forward  —  WASHINGTON - In his weekly address, President Obama resolved to do everything he can to make sure the economy is growing, creating jobs, and strengthening the middle class in the new year.

Political Battle on Illegal Immigration Shifts to States  —  Legislative leaders in at least half a dozen states say they will propose bills similar to a controversial law to fight illegal immigration that was adopted by Arizona last spring, even though a federal court has suspended central provisions of that statute.

Miller ending legal battle, conceding Senate race  —  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Republican Joe Miller has conceded the Alaska U.S. Senate race to party rival Sen. Lisa Murkowski, ending nearly two months of debate and court litigation.  —  Miller announced his decision at a news conference in Anchorage Friday …