Politics

Leading Congressional Republicans oppose the Obama administration's plans to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and other accused terrorists in civilian courts.  They are arguing that getting tough on terrorism means trying foreign terrorism suspects before military commissions.  Senator John McCain and Joseph Lieberman recently filed legislation to ban civilian trials for all foreign terrorism suspects.

Governer David Paterson of New York has been rocked by scandals in recent weeks.  An expose by the New York Times revealed that he interfered in a domestic violence case involving a top aide, and that he may have involved the State Police.

ABC News reports that President Obama today will launch his final push to get a health care reform bill passed and will indicate that he is willing to work with Republicans on some issues. But the president will suggest that if it becomes necessary, Democrats will use the controversial "reconciliation" rules to send a bill to his desk.

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) stood firm Tuesday in single-handedly blocking the Senate from extending unemployment benefits, highway funds and other programs in the face of mounting criticism from Democrats and pleas from his own party.

The White House called Mr. Bunning's actions "irrational."  Senator Susan Collins, the moderate Republican from Maine, became the latest lawmaker, and the first Republican, to try to override the objection.

Mr. Bunning is arguing that the Senate should first find a way to pay for the expense.

Barack Obama has introduced his national security team on Monday.  Former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton will be the President-Elect's choice for Secretary of State, while Republican Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be keeping his current post.

Rounding out his Monday announcements, Obama named retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones as his national security adviser, Eric Holder as attorney general, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations.

Governor Sarah Palin has been highly visible since the end of the 2008 election, holding news conferences and conducting interviews with reporters more often than she did as a candidate.  Some believe that she is seeking to stay in the national spotlight, and will emerge as the standard bearer for the Republican Party.  Others believe the party should go in another direction.  Is she the party's future?

President-Elect Barack Obama is considering offering Democratic primary rival Hillary Clinton a position in his cabinet as Secretary of State.  Many Democrats and Republicans have endorsed the idea, including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.  Obama aides have begun vetting Senator Clinton for the position, including looking into former President Bill Clinton's finances and activities.

House and Senate leaders agreed yesterday on surveillance legislation that could shield telecommunications companies from privacy lawsuits, handing President Bush one of the last major legislative victories he is likely to achieve.