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.

Ex-Senator Is Now the Only Black Hopeful in a Chicago Race  —  CHICAGO — Danny K. Davis, a longtime United States representative, has dropped out of the race to become Chicago's mayor, creating the situation that black leaders here had for months been clamoring for: a campaign that includes only one major African-American candidate.

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.

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 …

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 …

Chavez, Clinton chat at Brazil inauguration  —  Despite a simmering diplomatic row, President Hugo Chavez and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were seen having a brief, friendly chat Saturday at the inauguration of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff.  —  “They talked and smiled, at least for five minutes.

California Republican touts legislation banning public pension bailouts  —  The country's public pension system is grossly underfunded and needs an overhaul, Rep. Devin Nunes said this week.  —  The California Republican is promoting legislation designed to gauge the extent of the problem …

How to Break Bread With the Republicans  —  DEAR President Obama:  —  Sorry to bother you.  I know you are busy.  But I have the sense that you could use a few words of advice.  —  In a matter of days, Republicans will control the House of Representatives and have a larger voting bloc in the Senate.

Boomers Hit New Self-Absorption Milestone: Age 65  —  In keeping with a generation's fascination with itself, the time has come to note the passing of another milestone: On New Year's Day, the oldest members of the Baby Boom Generation will turn 65, the age once linked to retirement …

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,” …

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.

‘A big f—  deal,’ ‘man up,’ tickles 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 …

Violence as Pakistan strikes over blasphemy law  —  KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) - Violence flared Friday as police and protesters clashed during a mass protest strike that closed businesses across Pakistan over a bid to end the death penalty for blasphemy.  —  Police said protesters near the home …