U.S. Fears a Ground War in Gaza Could Hurt Israel and Help Hamas  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is increasingly concerned about the escalating violence in Gaza, believing that a ground incursion by Israel there could lead to increased civilian casualties, play into the hands …

Romney's Transition Chief Is Encouraging States To Implement Obamacare  —  A little more than a week after Mitt Romney lost his bid for the presidency, the prominent Republican tapped to head his transition is encouraging states to implement the Affordable Care Act, a law which Romney had pledged …

Susan Rice's tarnished resume  —  President Obama had a rare “bring-it-on” moment when ABC News's Jonathan Karl asked him about threats by Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham to block the confirmation of Susan Rice, should he nominate her for secretary of state.

44 days to cliff; 64 days to inauguration — PETRAEUS HIRES ROBERT BARNETT — Obama says next 36 to 48 hours critical in Gaza crisis — Rory Cooper baby — Latoff-Holmes wedding  —  EXCLUSIVE: Gen. David Petraeus has retained superlawyer Robert Barnett of Williams & Connolly for advice …

VIEWPOINT: Republicans Lost Because Voters Rejected Their Economic Vision  —  We're now well into the political aftermath of the 2012 election, and the pattern of destruction is telling.  In demographic after demographic, Obama defeated Romney by remarkable margins: 55 percent among women …

Lieberman splits from ‘my 2 amigos’  —  Count two more top senators who think a special committee to investigate the government's response to the Sept. 11 attacks in Benghazi is not such a good idea.  —  Three Republican senators - John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte …

Obama arrives in Thailand, defends Burma visit  —  BANGKOK — As President Barack Obama prepared Sunday to become the first U.S. president to visit Burma, he defended his decision to make such a historic trip even as deadly ethnic violence continues in the Asian country long viewed as a pariah state.

Who Killed the Twinkie?  —  Hostess Brands is not dead just yet, but the prospects for the company's survival are now dim at best.  Hostess—which still makes iconic food products (or sort of food products) like Twinkies and Ding Dongs—went into Chapter 11 back in January for the second time in eight years …

56% of Britons would vote to quit EU in referendum, poll finds  —  Results of survey will make sobering reading for leaders of three major parties, as PM prepares for crucial meeting on EU budget  —  Well over half of British voters now want to leave the European Union …

Why Republicans Want Mitt Romney To Go Away  —  Romney will carry the party's baggage off stage.  “Toxic assets” into the bad bank of Mitt.  —  Image by Brian Snyder / Reuters  —  Ten days after at least some Republicans were surprised to see Mitt Romney lose the presidency, the candidate is gone without a trace.

Petraeus asked socialite to avert anti-Islam stunt  —  WASHINGTON — A Florida socialite at the heart of a scandal that brought down the CIA chief was once asked by him to stop a radio talk show host who was threatening to “deep fat fry” the Koran, US media reported early on Saturday.