<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<rss xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0">
 <channel>
  <title>TIME.com Top Politics Stories</title>
  <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics?xid=rss-politics</link>
  <description>Top Stories about Politics on TIME.com</description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:24:41 EST</pubDate>
  <language>en-us</language>
  <copyright>Copyright @ 2009 Time Inc. All rights reserved.</copyright>
  <image>
   <title>TIME.com Top Politics Stories</title>
   <url>http://img.timeinc.net/time/home/images/logo_rss.gif</url>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <height>46</height>
   <width>140</width>
  </image>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Sarah Palin Quit]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908669,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Although her stated reasons are hard to pin down, insiders say the Alaska governor's decision is unlikely to lead to a presidential run in 2012]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908669,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0907/77_b_sarah_palin_0703.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Robert DeBerry / The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Will Obama Tax Employer-Provided Health Benefits?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1908250,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[To hold down costs, the President may be relenting on an idea he criticized John McCain for during the campaign]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1908250,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0907/77_obama_health_0701.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[SHAWN THEW / EPA]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[What Happened to the Stimulus?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908167,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Administration's $787 billion booster shot is not the magic bullet some had expected. Inside the White House operation to fix that]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908167,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0907/77_wstim_tout_0713.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Greg Ruffing / Redux for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Sotomayor Tie to Civil Rights Group Eyed]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1908644,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A White House counsel says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's involvement with the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund should not impact her nomination]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1908644,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Minnesota Senator Al Franken: How His Vote Could Matter]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907937,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Now that Franken is finally a Senator, the additional Democrat could turn the tide on several key measures]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907937,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_al_franken_0624.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jeffrey Thompson / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[EPA Approves California Pollution Rule]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907997,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Environmental Protection Agency took a major step toward tougher reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907997,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Global-Warming Bill's Rough Ride Through Congress]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907248,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The landmark bill has been watered down and is getting bad reviews from all sides. Still, it may pass]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907248,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_arctic_sea_ice_0403.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court Overturns Sotomayor Ruling]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907643,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court has ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907643,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[No OK Yet on Kerry-Produced Film]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907382,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Federal Election Commission failed to reach a decision Thursday on the Massachusetts Democrat's request to use $300,000 from his campaign funds to invest in a documentary about injured Iraq war veterans]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907382,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Scoffs at Ahmadinejad Criticism]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907426,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama scoffed at the idea that he should apologize to Iran's leaders for criticizing their violent crackdown on demonstrators]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907426,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Urges Senate Action on Climate Measure]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907576,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Hailing the House, President Barack Obama put pressure on senators Saturday to follow its lead and pass legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907576,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Names Domestic Violence Adviser]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907470,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A longtime advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault was named to a new post Friday as a White House adviser on violence against women]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907470,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Mark Sanford Sex Scandal: South Carolina and GOP Assess the Damage]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907036,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Sanford's extramarital affair aside, critics say, the fact that he went AWOL in South America for almost a week without even telling his staff about his whereabouts reflected a blatant disregard for the workings of government]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907036,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_sanford_x_0624.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Davis Turner / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Biden: $19B in Highway Stimulus Set Aside]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907246,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Federal money to spur economic recovery is being shoveled out of Washington at a fast clip, the White House said Thursday, but states aren't steering the cash to counties that need jobs the most]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907246,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Thune Succeeds Ensign in GOP Leadership Post]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907208,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Republicans on Thursday elected Sen. John Thune to the leadership post vacated by Sen. John Ensign, who stepped down after admitting to an extramarital affair with a campaign aide]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907208,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Impeached Federal Judge Resigns]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907245,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A federal judge from Texas who was impeached by the House has resigned ahead of his Senate trial]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907245,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[House Passes Major Energy-Climate Bill]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907524,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In a triumph for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House&#8232;narrowly passed sweeping legislation Friday]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907524,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Cheney Discussed Inquiries into Plame Leak]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1908580,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Vice President Dick Cheney talked with top White House officials about how to respond to reporters' inquiries into who leaked the identity of a CIA operative, according to a court filing]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1908580,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Attorney Gen. Urges New Hate-Crimes Law]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907129,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Attorney General Eric Holder urged Congress Thursday to pass a new hate crimes law which would allow the federal government to prosecute cases of violence based on sexual orientation, gender or disability]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907129,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama: Health-Care Tax Still Possible]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907062,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[With lawmakers trying to crunch the numbers on a $1 trillion health care overhaul, President Barack Obama is leaving the door open to a new tax on employer-provided health care benefits]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907062,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court: Teen Strip Search Illegal]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907090,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a school's strip search of an Arizona teenage girl accused of having prescription-strength ibuprofen was illegal]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907090,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[How to Cut Health-Care Costs: Less Care, More Data]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905340,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama's diagnosis for health reform would cut costs by rewarding quality care and limiting unnecessary treatments. But one man's economies are another's lost profits]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905340,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_whealthcare_0629.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Raoul Benavides for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[House Dems Close to Climate Agreement]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907070,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The nuclear industry, ethanol producers and rural electric cooperatives are among those who stand to benefit from eleventh-hour deals made by House Democrats]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907070,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[FDA to Vote on Cold Medications]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907833,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Government experts are scheduled to vote on whether Nyquil and other combination cold medications should be pulled from the market to help curb deadly overdoses]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1907833,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama, Health Insurers Square Off]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906613,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama on Tuesday squared off with the insurance lobby over industry charges that a government health plan he backs would dismantle employer coverage]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906613,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Health Co-Ops Do the Job of a Public Plan?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1906105,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Despite no public debate on the issue and scant knowledge about how health cooperatives could be set up, such self-sustaining, member-based organizations are suddenly emerging as the consensus alternative to a public plan]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1906105,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_health_coop_0619.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Signs Extensive Anti-Smoking Bill]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906178,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama has signed the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it an extraordinary accomplishment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906178,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Dems May Go It Alone on Health Reform]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906148,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Democrats generally are standing behind their position that a health care system overhaul must include a government-sponsored plan that would be available to middle-class workers and their families]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906148,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Donald Rumsfeld in Repose]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905857,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[An excerpt from the new book By His Own Rules: The Story of Donald Rumsfeld]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905857,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_rumsfeld_0619.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[On Agenda, Gays Ask, but Obama's Not Telling]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905346,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The relationship between the President and his gay and lesbian supporters is growing more complicated as soldiers continue to be discharged from the military for being openly gay]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905346,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_obama_gay_0617.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Press Stops Playing Nice with Obama]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906654,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The questions were feisty and Obama more testy in Tuesday's press conference]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906654,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[House Democrats Pursue Health-Care Bill]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906536,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[House Democrats are pushing forward with a partisan health care bill even as a key Senate Democrat labors to achieve an elusive bipartisan compromise]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906536,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Three-Part Case on Iran]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906006,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As Iran is roiled by the greatest turmoil since the 1979 revolution, there is an ongoing debate inside the Obama Administration]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906006,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_iran_a_0620.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Starting Health-Care Reform in the ER]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905710,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Many people have long assumed that health-care reform would be a cure for overburdened emergency departments, but unless other changes happen, the problem will only get worse]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905710,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_er_crowd_0616.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[David McNew / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama to Sign Anti-Smoking Bill in Rose Garden]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906137,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama is set to sign into law an anti-smoking bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906137,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[U.S. Prepared for Any Threat from North Korea]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906081,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906081,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Fed Mulls Economic Programs]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906705,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[With signs the economy is improving but still fragile, Federal Reserve policymakers are considering whether some programs intended to drive down rates on mortgages and other consumer debt should be slowed down]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906705,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Sonia Sotomayor Quits All-Women's Club]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905942,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has resigned from an elite all-women's club after Republicans questioned her participation in it]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905942,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Agencies Criticized over Gunrunning Crime]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905547,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Two federal agencies are being faulted for not coordinating their efforts against border gunrunners]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905547,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[A Health-Care Reality Check Slows Congress]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905367,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Coming up with a bill that doesn't add to the deficit is turning out to be harder than members of Congress thought it would be, and the accelerated, ambitious schedule they had set is slowing down]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905367,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_healthcare_kt_0617.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Mark Wilson / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Baucus, White House in deal with drug industry]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906026,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906026,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama to Promote Fatherhood on Friday]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905734,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[On this Friday before Father's Day, President Barack Obama plans to spend much of his workday promoting the importance of being a good dad]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905734,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[NKorea criticizes US nuclear protection of South]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906043,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906043,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Calls Iranian Response to Protests 'Unjust']]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906039,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1906039,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Sotomayor Speaking Carefully on Issues]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905395,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is engaged with senators involved in her confirmation on hot-button issues, but much of the conversation is taking place in code]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905395,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[As Congress Starts Writing Health Reform, Kennedy's Absence Is Felt]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905105,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[With the legendary Senator and champion of universal health care battling cancer, there are few indications that his committee will come up with a strong bipartisan bill]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905105,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_health_care_dodd_0616.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Robert Giroux / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The GOP's New Health-Care Alternative. Join the Line]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905343,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[House Republicans introduce their response to the Democrats on health care.But it lacks specifics -- or an assurance of much support]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905343,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_gop_health_0520.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Beathen / Corbis; John Gillmoure / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Spells Out Financial-Rules Overhaul]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905291,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama proposed sweeping new "rules of the road" for the nation's financial system, casting the changes as a critically important response to the economic crisis]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905291,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[AG: 50 or More Guantanamo Trials Possible]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905256,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday there may be 50 or more trials of Guantanamo Bay detainees as the Obama administration works to shut the detention center by early next year]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905256,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Senate Readies for Hard Health-Care Push]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905174,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Eye-popping new cost estimates for President Barack Obama's plan to overhaul the U.S. health care system are forcing majority Democrats to scale back their subsidy plans for the uninsured]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905174,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Hillary Clinton Fractures Elbow]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905358,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has fractured her right elbow]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905358,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Dennis Ross, Iran Adviser, to Leave Post for Expanded Role]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904788,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In the midst of the postelection turmoil in Iran, Obama's special adviser on Iran will move to the National Security Council]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904788,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_dennis_ross_0615.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Richard A. Bloom / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[White House Won't Release Visitor Records]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905005,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Obama administration is declining to release documents that would identify visitors to the White House, embracing a legal position taken by the Bush administration, according to a watchdog group that filed a federal lawsuit over access to the records]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905005,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Ensign Quits Senate GOP Leadership Post]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905255,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Senator quits one day after admitting his extra-marital affair with a woman on his campaign staff]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905255,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[House Votes to Fund Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905092,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The House has narrowly approved a $106 billion bill to ensure financing for war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan over the coming months]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905092,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Attorney General Urges New Hate-Crime Law]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905030,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday that recent killings show the need for a tougher hate crimes law to stop "violence masquerading as political activism"]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905030,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[CBO: Health Bill $1 Trillion over Decade]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904924,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A health care bill under consideration in Congress would cost the government an estimated $1 trillion and reduce the ranks of the uninsured by about one-third, officials say]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904924,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Senator Ensign Admits to Extramarital Affair]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905091,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada admitted Tuesday he had an extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1905091,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Independent Intel: High Stakes in a New CIA Turf War]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904284,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Director of National Intelligence wants to usurp the CIA's role by appointing a new station chief in Kabul. The CIA is fighting back, with good reason]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904284,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_baer_intel_0611.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(l. to r.): Kevork Djansezian / Getty; Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama: Health System a 'Ticking Time Bomb']]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904697,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama went before the American Medical Association in Chicago to declare anew that the existing system leaves too many uninsured and forces "excessive defensive medicine"]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904697,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Key Health Care Senators Have Industry Ties]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904487,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Influential senators working to overhaul the nation's health care system have investments and family ties with some of the biggest names in the industry]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904487,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Republicans: Democrats' Climate Bill is New Tax]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904587,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Republicans on Saturday slammed a Democratic bill before the House that seeks to address climate change, arguing that it amounts to an energy tax on consumers]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904587,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Where Sonia Sotomayor Really Stands on Race]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903981,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A controversial speech has complicated Sonia Sotomayor's path to the Supreme Court. But an analysis of her record reveals that when it comes to race, she can be far from predictable]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903981,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_wrosen_0622.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Doug Mills / The New York Times / Redux]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Senate Vote OKs FDA Tobacco Regulation]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904043,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Senate has voted to give the government extensive new powers to decide how tobacco companies will make and market their products]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904043,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Ousts Top AmeriCorps Executive]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904446,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama says he has lost confidence in the inspector general who investigates AmeriCorps and other national service programs and has told Congress he is removing him from the position]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904446,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Democrat Creigh Deeds Win the Race for Virginia Governor?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903975,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In a race for governor sure to be watched for its national implications, a folksy, rural Democrat will take on a techy, suburban Republican]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903975,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_deeds_mcdonnell_0610.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Steve Helber / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The House's Surprisingly Moderate Health-Care Plan]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903705,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The first details of the House version of a health-care plan show a more cautious approach than the Senate has taken]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903705,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_house_health_0609.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[From left: Chip Somodevilla / Getty; TIM SLOAN / AFP / Getty; Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Committee Sends Judge's Impeachment to House]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903776,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A House committee has endorsed impeachment charges against a federal judge accused of sexual assalt and lying to the FBI]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903776,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[House to Send FDA Tobacco Bill to Obama]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904353,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Congress to take final vote Friday giving government power to regulate tobacco industry marketing]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904353,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Will Democrats (and Terry McAuliffe) Buck Tradition in Virginia's Primary?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903543,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Democratic canidates for governor rarely come from the Beltway. So the former Clinton adviser, despite endorsements and name recognition, has a tough task]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903543,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_mcauliffe_0605.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Win McNamee / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Administration, Congress Rein in Exec Pay]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904013,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As the Obama administration takes a half-step toward taming executive pay, Congress might consider a fuller stride]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1904013,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Couple Ordered Held in Cuba Spying Case]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903772,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A federal judge ordered a former State Department employee and his wife held without bond on charges of spying for Cuba after prosecutors argued they are a serious flight risk]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903772,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[House Dems Considering Taxing Benefits]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903599,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Despite a less-than-rousing reaction from the Obama administration, House Democrats are considering a new tax on employer-provided health benefits to help pay for expanding coverage to the uninsured]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903599,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Sotomayor's Confirmation Hearings to Begin July 13]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903614,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy says confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor will convene on July 13]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903614,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Governor Who Came to Dinner: Did the GOP Snub Sarah Palin?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903421,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A snafu over the Alaska governor's invitation to speak at a top party event once again reveals a party in disarray]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903421,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_palin_0608.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Michael Nagle / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Reluctant S.C. Gov Signs Stimulus Request]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903500,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford requested stimulus cash for the state's schools Monday, telling the U.S. education secretary he's doing so under duress]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903500,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama at Buchenwald: A Message to Those Who Forget, or Deny]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903173,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Visiting the notorious extermination camp, the President stressed the lessons of the Holocaust]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903173,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_obama_dresden8.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[President, Cabinet to Meet on Stimulus]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903320,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama, back in Washington from Europe and the Middle East, will focus on domestic policy today.]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903320,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Senator Says Obama 'Got Nerve' to Push Lawmakers]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903315,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says that President Barack Obama "got nerve" to go sightseeing in Paris while telling lawmakers it's time to deliver on a health care overhaul]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903315,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Return of the Hot-Button Issues]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1902546,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Debates over abortion and affirmative action remain dominated by extremists. But sensible positions exist]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1902546,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0906/77_cklein_0615.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Susan Walsh / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[White House Straddles Health Tax Issue]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903332,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[When it comes to taxing health insurance benefits, President Barack Obama hasn't said yes, and may never]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903332,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama: 'Time to Deliver' on Health Care]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903256,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama said "it's time to deliver" on his health care agenda, using his weekly radio and Internet address to focus on his domestic priority even while traveling overseas]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1903256,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Full Text: President Barack Obama's Speech to the Muslim World]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902738,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The President's speech delivered in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday June 4, 2009]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902738,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Treasury Nominee: Bailout Needs More Time]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902799,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama's pick to oversee the $700 billion bank bailout program told Congress Thursday that more time is needed for the recovery plan to work]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902799,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[GOP Senators: Health Deal Tougher Now]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902898,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Republican senators said Thursday prospects for a health overhaul deal dimmed after President Barack Obama declared his strong support a public insurance plan]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902898,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Franken vs. Coleman: The Final Round in Minnesota -- Maybe]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902287,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The disputed Minnesota Senate race heads to the state supreme court. But even that may not end the standoff]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902287,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_minnesota_0306.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(L to R) Paul Sancya / AP ; Cory Ryan / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Backers Press for Summer Vote on Sotomayor]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902739,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Senators are looking closely at the records and writings of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1902739,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Robert Gates: The Bureaucrat Unbound]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1901342,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[How the Defense Secretary helped turn Iraq around, shook up the Pentagon and won over Obama]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1901342,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_cklein_0608.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jason Reed / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The GOP's Initial Tactic on Supreme Court Nominee Sotomayor: Play for Time]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1901111,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama's new Supreme Court nominee offers nothing but political land mines for the opposition party]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1901111,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_sotomayor_0527.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Inside the Moderately Liberal Mind of Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1901094,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama's Supreme Court nominee has a lengthy paper trail, but it's her comments outside the court that may provide opponents the most ammunition]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1901094,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_chair_sonia_sotomayor.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[White House]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court Politics: Why Obama Picked Sonia Sotomayor]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900956,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Sotomayor offers Obama the qualities he wants for the Supreme Court. She also puts Republicans in a tough political spot]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900956,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_sotomayor_nx_0526.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Judge Sonia Sotomayor Headed for Easy Supreme Court Nomination]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900915,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Assuming nothing surfaces in Sotomayor's background that causes controversy, expect her to be seated when the court opens for its new term]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900915,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_sotomayor_nz_0526.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Brandon / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Meaning of Michelle Obama]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900067,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[She's beaten back criticism and caricature to become the most watched First Lady in a generation. An intimate look at how Michelle Obama is changing the White House -- and America -- forever]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900067,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_wmichelle_nv_0601.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Platon for Time]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Full Text: Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Speech]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900940,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900940,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Self-Inflicted Wounds: How Pelosi Got into the CIA Mess]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1899778,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[There has always been a lot of media interest in the first female Speaker. Now Pelosi is learning the difference between attention for being a pioneer and attention for fouling up on the job]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1899778,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_pelosi_0519.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[TIM SLOAN / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Environmentalists Attack House Global-Warming Compromise]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898896,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Hopes that a Democratic-controlled legislature would produce strong curbs on greenhouse gases encounter are dashed by industrial and regional interests]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898896,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_climate_0331.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(L to R) Michael Prince / Corbis ; Stefan Zaklin / EPA / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Interview with the First Lady]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1899741,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1899741,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Delicate Balance on National Security]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898783,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama's reversal on detainee snapshots and other national security issues highlight the challenges of command]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898783,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_obama_gitmo_0514.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(l. to r.): KEVIN DIETSCH / UPI / Landov; Brennan Linsley / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[How Waterboarding Is Drowning Pelosi]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898706,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The controversy is becoming a major distraction for Obama -- and a riveting he-said-she-said political fracas]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898706,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_nancy_pelosi_0514.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[KATIE FALKENBERG / The Washington Times / Landov]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Obama Tame the Democrats?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898166,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Democrats in Congress say they want to pass the President's agenda -- except when they don't. Can the White House keep them in line?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898166,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_wprez_0525.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Dick Cheney: Why So Chatty All of a Sudden?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897850,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[For a man whose public profile was almost nonexistent while he was a public servant, it's clear from his schedule alone that private citizen Cheney hasn't merely resurfaced -- he's gone on the offensive]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897850,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_cheney_0512.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Karin Cooper / CBS / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[2 Min-Bio: Florida Governor Charlie Crist]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898151,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The popular Florida Governor has announced he's running for Senate. But as a moderate Republican facing a crowded field, is he the answer to the GOP's problems?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898151,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_charlie_crist_0513.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Soaring Costs, Not Universal Coverage, Drive Health-Care Debate]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897843,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Unlike in the early '90s, the major thrust of reform centers on the staggering cost of a system that threatens to devour the rest of the economy]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897843,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_healthcare_costs_0512.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Ron Watts / CORBIS]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Crist's Senate Bid: Too Moderate for Florida Republicans?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897665,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[At a time when the GOP is shrinking more to its conservative base, the popular and moderate Florida governor offers the party a real opportunity -- and dilemma]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897665,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_crist_0512.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Phil Coale / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Democrats Try to Haggle Together a Cap and Trade Bill]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896799,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[With Republicans unanimously opposing the climate change bill in the first House committee to consider it, Henry Waxman is trying to get enough different Democrats on board]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896799,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_waxman_0508.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Ron Edmonds / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Stan McChrystal: The New U.S. Commander in Afghanistan]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897542,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[With the situation in Afghanistan regressing, Defense Secretary Robert Gates taps a shadowy special-operations commander for the top job]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1897542,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_stan_mcchrystal_b_0511.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[MANNY CENETA / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Stress Tested: Has Geithner's Bank Confidence Game Worked?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896825,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Treasury Secretary's stress tests have amounted to a remarkable job of salesmanship]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896825,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_timothy_geithner_0507.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Nicholas Kamm / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Jack Kemp: Running a Very Different Republican Race]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896881,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The former pro quarterback and congressman may have failed to make the GOP a much more racially diverse party, but it was not for lack of trying]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896881,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_jack_kemp_0507.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Kenneth Lamb / Washington Times / Landov]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Republicans in Distress: Is the Party Over?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896588,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Lacking leadership and fresh ideas, the GOP has officially entered the political wilderness. It could take years to find the way back]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896588,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_wgop_0518.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[John Lund / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Is Condi Rice Joining the Torture Debate?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896584,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The former Secretary of State may turn out to be a better defender of Bush policies than the former Vice President]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896584,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_rice_torture_0506.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Fire This Time: Is This Health Care's Moment?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896574,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Democrats are preparing another push for universal health care. It might actually succeed]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896574,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_cklein_0518.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Illustration by Francisco Caceres for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[How the Republicans Can Come Back]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896604,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[To rise again, Republicans must return to first principles and accept the realities of a new age]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896604,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_wviewpoint_0518.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama and Twitter: White House Social-Networking]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896482,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Obama Administration jumped with both feet into the 140-character Twitterverse with a post on how Americans can learn about swine flu directly by joining social networks with the CDC]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896482,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_wh_twitter_0506.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Sessions Could Make Obama's Supreme Court Fight Tougher]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896394,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The naming of Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions as the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee promises to bring at least a few sparks to a Supreme Court confirmation process that was bound to be relatively easy]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896394,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_obama_sessions_0506.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[JIM WATSON / AFP / Getty Images; J. Scott Applewhite / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Elizabeth Edwards: How I Survived John's Affair]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895709,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In an exclusive excerpt from her new book, Elizabeth Edwards talks about how she coped with her husband's infidelity]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895709,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_elizabeth_edwards_0430.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Scott Olson / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Health-Care Talks: Will Obama Get More Involved?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895706,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As some Democrats fear that talks on a health-care bill are drifting, the President may need to take a more active role]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895706,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_obama_health_0504.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(l. to r.): Chip Somodevilla / Getty; Atlantide Phototravel / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The GOP Plans a Rebirth, with Pepperoni and Protests]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895562,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A Republican attempt at rejuvenation toward the center is not without its detractors, who say the party should remain to the right]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895562,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_gop_0504.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[The Washington Times /Landov]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Bush Library Raises $100 Million in 100 Days]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895447,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895447,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_bush_library_0501.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Three Things Obama Could Learn from Thatcher]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895561,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Thatcher enterprise has obvious parallels to that of Barack Obama, even if their ideological trajectories differ]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1895561,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/77_obama_thatcher_0504.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Central Press / Getty Images]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Congress Make Health-Care Reform Pay for Itself?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894939,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Though fixing health care promises long-term savings, in the short term it will be costly. Finding the money will be a political challenge]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894939,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_health_care_0430.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(l. to r.): Glowimages / Corbis; Science Faction / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Where Specter's Big Switch Leaves the Senate]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894652,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Pennsylvania Republican's change of party theoretically gives Obama a historic margin, but it does not give him an unfettered hand]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894652,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_arlen_specter_a_0427.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Pennsylvania Democrats Reserving Judgment on Specter]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894546,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Specter's new party colleagues in his home state aren't ready to fully embrace their former rival, who effectively just grabbed their party's Senate nomination]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894546,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_arlen_specter_2_0428.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Gary Fabiano / Sipa]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Senator Specter Switched Parties -- Really]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894455,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Pennsylvania Republican, in making his surprise move, did what's bestfor Arlen Specter]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894455,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_specter_presser_0428.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Evan Vucci / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Arlen Specter: A Republican No More]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894479,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[When Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter announced that he was switching to the Democratic Party after nearly four decades as an elected Republican, it marked a messy and shocking end to his tumultuous relationship with the GOP.]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894479,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_arlen_specter_a_0427.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama and the Dems: Look Forward or Back?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894222,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The uproar over torture raises a tricky question that the Administration is still grappling with: Should the Bush administration be held to account?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894222,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_obama_lookback_0427.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[How the Banks Plan to Limit Credit-Card Protections]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894041,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are determined to crack down on credit-card abuses, but the banking industry may have a way to resist the toughest proposed rules]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894041,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_creditcard_0427.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Mark Lennihan / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why a Top State Department Nominee Is Dividing the GOP]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893857,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[With a committee vote on Harold Koh's controversial nomination coming Tuesday, both camps are lobbying Senators in what has become a proxy fight for the Republican party's approach to life in political exile]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893857,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_koh_state_0422.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Left; M. Caulfield / Getty: Lawrence Jackson / AP: Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Harman Says She's the Victim in Wiretapping Controversy]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893135,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Representative Harman, under scrutiny for allegedly pledging to try and help two former officials of an Israeli lobying group accused of conspiring to pass classified information, told TIME that she is not worried about her fate]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893135,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_jane_harman_b_0421.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[GOP Senator Specter's Party Switch Gives Obama a 100-Day Gift]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894394,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Republican Senator's surprise announcement raises the prospect of afilibuster-proof majority in the Senate]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894394,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_specter_switch_0428.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Harry Hamburg / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Growing Dilemma on Torture Prosecution]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893023,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[By first releasing the CIA interrogation memos and now not ruling out the prosecution of their authors, Obama has created a political firestorm that will be hard to put out]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893023,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_obama_cia_0421.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Sizing Up Obama's First 100 Days]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893277,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama's start has been the most impressive of any President since F.D.R. The biggest tests are ahead of him]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893277,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_w100days_0504.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Statement from Senator Arlen Specter]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894384,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894384,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Halperin's Take: Unanswered Specter Questions]]></title>
   <link>http://thepage.time.com/halperins-take-unanswered-questions-about-specters-switch/?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://thepage.time.com/halperins-take-unanswered-questions-about-specters-switch/?xid=rss-politics</guid>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893278,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A quick look at San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who just announced that he's running for governor of California]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1893278,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_gavin_newsom_0422.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Justin Sullivan / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Civil-Liberties Advocates Dismayed By Obama's Moves]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1892795,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[His fans on the left are seeing too many instances of the Obama Administration siding with Bush on matters of intelligence and national security]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1892795,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_obama_left_0419.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Christopher Morris / VII for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Obama Needs to Reveal Even More on Torture]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1892352,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Administration was absolutely right to declassify the Department of Justice-CIA interrogation memos. But Obama should not stop there]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1892352,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_torture_0216.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Clinton's Campaign Debt: Should Mark Penn Get Paid?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891723,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Clinton's former presidential campaign is raising money to pay off her bills. But some allies are irked at having to shell out for the polling firm's failures]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891723,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_hillary_clinton_0413.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jerry Lampen / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[2-Min. Bio: Steve Rattner]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1892461,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Steve Rattner was a brilliant journalist and then a brilliant banker. But now an SEC investigation has ensnared the investment firm he founded]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1892461,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_steve_rattner_0417.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Eric Thayer / Reuters / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Dog Scoop Alerts D.C.: TMZ Has Arrived]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891368,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The most interesting thing about the Obamas' new pooch wasn't the dog himself, but the fact that the story was broken by the normally Hollywood-focused celebrity chronicler TMZ]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891368,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_tmz_washington_0414.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Floundering GOP Looks for a Turnaround]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1890923,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Essentially leaderless, lacking a cohesive message and fighting among themselves, Republicans appear to be in disarray, which begs the question -- can things only get better from here?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1890923,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_gop_woes_0410.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Left; Brendan Smialowski / Getty: Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP: Thomas Cain / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Alan Bersin: Obama's 'Border Czar']]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1891573,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Alan Bersin, President Obama's pick for "border czar," will serve under Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, handling illegal immigration and drug violence issues along the Mexican-American border]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1891573,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_alan_bersin_0415.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Rich Pedroncelli / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Rick Warren Navigate the Gay-Marriage Battle?]]></title>
   <link>http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/04/13/is-rick-warren-scared-of-george-stephanopoulos/?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[ABC's "This Week" began Sunday with this announcement from a slightly miffed George Stephanopoulos: "For those of you tuning in this morning expecting to hear from Pastor Rick Warren, we were, too"]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/04/13/is-rick-warren-scared-of-george-stephanopoulos/?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2008/0812/77_rick_warren_1218.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Apostle of Reform]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891473,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Education Secretary Arne Duncan on why he favors school choice and believes kids should spend more time in class]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891473,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_wduncan_0427.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[President Obama: At Home Abroad]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1890254,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[On his first overseas trip, Obama finds a world ready to work with him. Or at least ready to talk about it]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1890254,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_wobama_0420.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Government Pork: A Voter's Guide]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891043,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Citizens Against Government Waste's annual "Pig Book" study of pork-barrel expenditures attempts to name and shame the politicians behind this year's $19.6 billion in questionable spending]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1891043,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_skimmer_pig_0413.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Bob Elsdale / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Diplomatic Surge: Can Obama's Team Tame the Taliban?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1890262,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan reveals how the Obama team hopes to tame the Taliban]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1890262,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_wklein_0420.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jason Straziuso / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Visit to Iraq: A Page from Bush's Playbook]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889881,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Analysis: There were no crowds of adoring locals nor any new ideas as the President repeated the Bush ritual of the "surprise" Baghdad visit.]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889881,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_obama_iraq_b_0407.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jim Young / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Faith-Based Office Gets Down to Work]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1890257,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A controversial remnant of the Bush era is being transformed under the new President]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1890257,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_wh_faith_0407.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Kevin Lamarque / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Gates Takes Aim at Military Pork]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889581,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Pentagon chief prepares to unveil major shifts in military spending that will provoke resistance from entrenched interests in the services, the defense industry and Congress]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889581,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_robert_gates_0405.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jason Reed / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Is Congress Being Too Tough on Nominees' Taxes?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1889399,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[With legions of Obama Administration posts sitting vacant amid multiple national crises, many in Washington are asking if congressional due diligence has become unreasonable flyspecking]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1889399,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0904/77_sebelius_0401.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Congress Launches Opening Gambits on Global Warming]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888776,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The House produced a bill to regulate 85% of U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions, anteing up for what promises to be long, high-stakes negotiations with the Senate]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888776,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_climate_0331.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(L to R) Michael Prince / Corbis ; Stefan Zaklin / EPA / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama in Europe: His Four Biggest Challenges]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888611,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As he embarks on a whirlwind series of summits and meetings, here's what the U.S. President's chief stumbling blocks will be]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888611,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_obama_g20_a_0330.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Joshua Roberts / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Auto Odd Couple: Trying to Save GM and Chrysler]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888536,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Steve Rattner and Ron Bloom come from very different parts of the world of high finance, but the Administration needs both of them to give GM and Chrysler any chance of surviving]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888536,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_auto_task_force_0330.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Left; Jay Mallin / Bloomberg News / Landov: United Steel Workers / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Will Wagoner's Exit Put GM on the Road to Recovery?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888326,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Rick Wagoner is the first high-level casualty in what is sure to be a painful and perilous restructuring process for GM, a fallen corporate giant whose name was once synonymous with U.S. industry]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1888326,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_wagoner_0329.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Bill Pugliano / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Geithner Makes His Pitch for More Regulation]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887994,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Treasury Secretary wants to give the government the power to step in and prevent more AIG disasters]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887994,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_timothy_geithner_0326.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Obamathon: Is the President Doing Too Much TV?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887831,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Pundits say the President is overexposed. But in today's media, that's the only kind of exposure that works]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887831,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_ctunedin_a_0406.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[REUTERS]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Budget Fight Starts with His Own Party]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887748,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Administration is putting its best spin on the differences between its proposed budget and Congress's budget plans, but they won't be easy to bridge]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887748,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_obama_budget_0325.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Xinhua / Zuma]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama on the World Stage: What Power Means]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887709,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama needs to throw his weight around on the world stage -- but be ready when things don't go his way]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887709,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_cklein_0406.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Newsha Tavakolian / Polaris]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[An Ode to Paul Krugman]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887713,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A love song to a Nobel Prize-winning economist.]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887713,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_viral_thing_0325.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Presser: Message Accomplished]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887496,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Forget the details. What mattered most in an hourlong jousting with reporters was Obama's projecting confidence and explaining that things will get better]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887496,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_obama_press_a_0325.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Five Lessons from the AIG Bonus Blowup]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887466,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[They were calling for Geithner's head last week. On Tuesday he came away from a congressional hearing relatively unscathed. For the Administration, it's been a fast learning curve]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887466,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_geithner_aig_0324.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brendan Hoffman / Bloomberg / Landov]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Behind Obama's Speech to the Muslim World]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887435,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[He's going to Turkey first, but the speech will come later. Where?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887435,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_obama_fp_0324.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The AIG Backlash: Has Congress Flipped Out?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1886748,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Spurred by outrage, Congress is moving at lightning speed to tax bonuses. But could the move be counterproductive?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1886748,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_congress_pelosi_0320.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla/Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[What's Behind Dick Cheney's New Attacks?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1886603,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The former Vice President may be doing more than just protecting his legacy]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1886603,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_dick_cheney_0319.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Matthew Cavanaugh / EPA / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Is President Obama's Environmental Agenda Losing Out?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885545,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Congress can understand moving on health care and the economy, but suddenly the environment is less pressing -- especially when it means new taxes]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885545,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_energy_policy_0313.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(L) Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty ; (R) Chung Sung-Jun / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[A New Era of Service Across America]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1886213,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[During this economic crisis, the President says, the need for an army of volunteers is more urgent than ever]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1886213,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_wobama_0330.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The AIG Bonuses: Getting Mad and Getting Even]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885977,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The theme of Capitol Hill on St. Patrick's Day was outrage. But what can Congress do about it? And could there be a sacrificial lamb?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885977,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_aig_hearing_0318.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jason Reed / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Challenge: Containing the AIG Bonus Outrage]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885561,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The President's harsh criticism of the company is unlikely to stem rising public anger at the multibillion-dollar cleanup operation]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885561,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_obama_aig_0316.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[From left: Roger L. Wollenberg / Pool / Getty; Mario Tama / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's AIG Outrage: All Talk, No Action]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885668,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[For all the anger he expressed over AIG's bonuses, there is little the President can do to stop them, and that powerlessness could erode his power to get other things done]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885668,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_obama_reacts_0316.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Two Dems Want to Scrap Employer-Based Health Care]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885378,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Ron Wyden and Jim Cooper's reform plan has bipartisan support, but is it too radical for Congress?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885378,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_wyden_cooper_0315.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(l. to r.): Ryan Kelly / Getty; Scott J. Ferrell  /Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Would a Governor Spurn Stimulus Money?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885118,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina is leading the stubborn pack of conservatives who are threatening to turn down federal help]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885118,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_so_governors_0312.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[l. to r.: Jonathan Ernst / Reuters; Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME; Harry Cabluck / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Bipartisan Senate Group Making Progress on Health Care]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885032,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A core group of nine U.S. Senators is nearing an agreement on the broad strokes of a health-care-reform bill]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1885032,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_healthcare_b_0312.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Left; Win McNamee / Getty: Roger L. Wollenberg / Pool / Getty: Chip East / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Reform Agenda: Is He Trying to Do Too Much?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884630,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Yes, he's still riding high in the polls. But Barack Obama's big reform agenda won't get off the ground unless he fixes the banks first. The case for doing one thing at a time]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884630,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_wcrisis_0323.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Trouble with Obama's New Deal]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884571,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama cannot fix the economy, says the former Speaker, with hidden taxes and more spending]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884571,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_newt_gingrich_0312.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brendan Smialowski / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Rush Limbaugh Is Good for the Republicans]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884289,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Is it really shrewd for conservatives to begin their political exile by attacking the leading figure in the one medium they dominate?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884289,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_limbaugh_0311.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[UPI / Landov]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Obama Keep Moderate Democrats from Bailing on His Budget?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884204,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[To ease the way for moderates who aren't wild about all the spending, Obama is waging a public relations war, portraying the outlays as down payments that will ultimately save money]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1884204,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_obama_moderates_0310.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[From left: Justin Sullivan / Getty; Aude Guerrucci / Pool / Getty; Scott Olson / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Coleman and Franken Battle, As Minnesota Awaits a Senator]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883961,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The legal maneuvering continues over the contested Senate race, as calls mount for a new election]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883961,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_minnesota_0306.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[(L to R) Paul Sancya / AP ; Cory Ryan / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Connecticut's Chris Dodd Faces a Backyard Rebellion]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883764,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[After enduring eight years in the political wilderness, the Connecticut Democrat is one of his ascendant party's senior statesmen. Yet Dodd is facing his toughest re-election fight ever]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883764,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_chris_dodd_0306.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brendan Hoffman / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Senate Republicans Want to Bench Jim Bunning]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883582,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883582,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_bunning_0304.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Susan Walsh / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[CIA Veterans Blast Senate Probe of Operations Under Bush]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883383,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Though Obama and the new CIA Director are opposed, two powerful Democrats are pursuing an investigation of the agency's past practices]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883383,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_cia_ghosh_0304.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Christopher Morris / VII for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Stands Aside, Slightly, at Health Summit]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883516,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Even as he offers himself up as a head referee more than a star player, Obama is leaving no doubt about who is really in charge of health-care reform]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883516,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_health_summit_0305.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Castro and Chavez: The Evil Twins for Florida's GOP]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882557,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Anti-Castro Cuban-American politicians are setting their sights on Venezuelan immigrants in the hopes of bolstering their ebbing poll numbers]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882557,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_chavez_castro_0302.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Juan Barreto / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Budget: Earmarks Aren't the Real Problem]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883160,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Earmarks are the grimy political grease that helps our spending motor run. The real problem is the motor]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883160,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_earmarks_0304.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Bob Elsdale / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Criticizing Rush Limbaugh: Over the Line?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883032,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The White House invokes patriotism in its attacks on the conservative talk-show behemoth]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883032,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_rush_limbaugh_a_0303.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Mark Wilson / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Middle-Class Task Force Has No Middle Class]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882913,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[America's most beloved demographic group is the focus of study -- by people who don't have much firsthand experience]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882913,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_middleclass_0304.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[William Thomas Cain / Getty Images]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Geithner Tries to Resell the Bank Plan -- and Himself]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882971,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[For all Washington's conviction that perception is reality, Geithner's fate rests less on how he performs in public than on how his plans fare]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882971,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_timothy_geithner_0303.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Senate Democrats Optimistic on Health Reform]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882824,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama has turned over the details of health-care reform to Congress. Baucus promises action by July]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882824,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_baucus_obama_0303.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Ron Sachs / Pool / Sipa]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Health Czar]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882709,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Nancy-Ann DeParle has spent most of her health-care career out of the public eye, which is perfect for her new job in the Obama White House]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882709,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0903/77_healthcare_0302.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jason Reed / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[What the GOP Really Wants: Obama's Autograph]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882491,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The President must have been taken aback to see the same House Republicans who had decried his stimulus plan crowd around him like starstruck tweens at a Jonas Brothers concert]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882491,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obama_autograph_0227.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Moves Health Care to the Front Burner]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882005,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Senate is taking the lead on legislation as Obama tries to put the issue on the fast track]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1882005,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_health_care_0226.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Susan Walsh / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Speech: A Tonal Masterpiece]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881776,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama's budget speech revealed a President not just ready, but relishing the tough tasks ahead]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881776,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obamaspeech_0225.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[MIKE THEILER / EPA]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Does Obama Have a Double Standard on Earmarks?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881855,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[If the Administration is serious about curbing pet projects, why are there 9,000 of them in the new spending bill passed by the House?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881855,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_pelosi_obama_0225.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[A Brief History of Washington, D.C., Voting Rights]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881791,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881791,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_license_plate_0225.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[David R. Frazier Photolibrary, Inc. / Alamy]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama Gives Team America a Pep Talk]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881606,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In his speech to Congress on Tuesday night, Obama spoke of the whole country as a single team, evoking a patriotic spirit that has brought the nation back from the brink of collapse before]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881606,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obamaspeech_0225.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[MIKE THEILER / EPA]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Congress Was Reading Obama's Speech]]></title>
   <link>http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/02/24/why-was-congress-reading-obamas-speech/#more-10957?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/02/24/why-was-congress-reading-obamas-speech/#more-10957?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_congress_a_0105.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Why Obama's Regulatory Czar Makes Liberals Nervous]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881473,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The respected law professor is a proponent of cost-benefit analysis, which has been used to block enviornmental regulations in the past]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881473,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_sunstein_0223.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Matthew W. Hutchins / Harvard Law Record]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Gary Locke: Obama's Latest Commerce Secretary Pick]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881587,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881587,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_360_locke_0224.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[J. Scott Applewhite / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Michael Steele Broaden the Grand Old Party?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881300,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As the new face of the Republican party, Michael Steele goes out to plant the flag in an embattled GOP stronghold]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881300,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_michael_steele_0220.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Molly Riley / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Five Things to Look For in Obama's Speech]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881403,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[This is the moment when the President gets to set out the broad sweep of his plans, propose benchmarks for success and establish the tenor of his Administration]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881403,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_barack_obama_z_0223.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Charles Dharapak / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Eric Cantor: Giving the GOP Back Its Mojo]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881286,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The No. 2 Republican in the House is reviving memories of the Gingrich revolution]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881286,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_eric_cantor_0223.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Obama Actually Achieve Entitlement Reform?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881223,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As daunting as the obstacles to entitlement reform are, the President is banking on a number of recent developments to allow him to succeed where his predecessors have failed]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1881223,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obama_fiscal_0222.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The President's Warrior, Robert Gibbs]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1880602,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, 37, might seem friendly, Southern, folksy and avuncular. But this political veteran is a warrior for his boss]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1880602,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_wgibbs_0302.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Robyn Twomey for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Saying No to a Car Czar: Obama's Smart First Step on Detroit]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1880077,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In opting for an advisory panel to help oversee Detroit's restructuring, the President has recognized that Washington's use of czars usually masks a reality of inaction]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1880077,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obama_cars_0216.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Yes-We-Can War: 17,000 More Troops to Afghanistan]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1880253,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[President Obama takes ownership of the Afghan conflict by sending 17,000 more U.S. troops to reinforce the NATO mission there]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1880253,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_afghan_troops_0217.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Bob Strong / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Leahy's Plan to Probe Bush-Era Wrongdoings]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1879810,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Right screams that it's a witch-hunt, the Left complains it's a cop-out, and President Obama wishes it would just go away. But Senator Patrick Leahy isn't about to drop his proposal for a Truth Commission]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1879810,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2008/0812/77_dems_torture_1204.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[California's Big Race to Succeed Schwarzenegger]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878814,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The superstar governor is prohibited from running again by term limits. A slew of potential candidates (from Jerry Brown to Meg Whitman) is gearing up]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878814,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_cali_govs_0211.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[L. to R.: Max Whittaker / Reuters; Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[How Maine's GOP Senators Are Key to Obama's Agenda]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878942,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, Republicans from Maine, helped save Obama's stimulus from defeat. How they could make or break his agenda]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878942,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_wmaine_0223.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Collins: J. Scott Applewhite / AP; Snowe: Susan Walsh / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[A Historian's Take on Obama]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1879705,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As the country marks Presidents Day, TIME spoke with author and historian Richard Norton Smith about America's "schizoid" relationship with its President]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1879705,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_president_history_0213.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[After Gregg Jilts Obama, Washington Counts Score]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1879344,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Commerce Secretary nominee's sudden exit underscores the challenge the President faces in moving beyond the partisan divisions that have long defined national politics]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1879344,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_judd_gregg_0212.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Ron Edmonds / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Stimulus Deal Shows Reach -- and Limits -- of Obama's Power]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878968,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In quickly striking an agreement for a $789 billion stimulus plan, the House and Senate handed the President a major legislative victory. But the struggles to achieve it showed the limitations of his power to change Washington]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878968,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_stimulus_0211.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Joshua Roberts / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Gil Kerlikowske: Obama's New Drug Czar]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1879306,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A look at Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske, reportedly tapped to be Barack Obama's new Drug Czar]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1879306,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_kerlikowske_bio.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Elaine Thompson / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Israel's Angry Elections]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878891,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The election has strengthened anti-Arab forces who are isolating the country from the world]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878891,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_klein_israel_0211.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Congress's New Love Affair with Twitter]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878773,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[For Representatives used to having their messages and contacts heavily filtered, the micro-blogging site offers a real-time connection with constituents and the media]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878773,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_congress_twitter_0210.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Geithner's Challenge: Selling a Plan Without the Details]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878690,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[For all the grousing on the Hill and Wall Street about the vague financial-rescue package announced on Tuesday, the Obama Administration has reason to feel confident about the politics of the new bailout]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878690,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_geithner_0211.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Mario Tama / Getty Images]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[GOP Governors: Split over Obama's Stimulus Plan]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878505,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878505,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_gop_gov_0210.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[From left: Phil Coale / AP; Max Whittaker / Reuters; Harry Cabluck / AP; Sara D. Davis / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[John Dingell: America's Longest-Serving Representative]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878671,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878671,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_john_dingell_0210.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[What Will Obama Learn from the Stimulus Saga?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878089,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[As he tries to maintain the consensus for another bank bailout, entitlement reform and perhaps health care reform, will the President build his legislative coalitions from the left or move to the center?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878089,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obama_0209.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Stimulus Address Shows His Power at the Pulpit]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878396,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The President's press conference shows how his substantial ability to explain himself at a time of widespread disillusionment is the source of tremendous power]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1878396,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obama_presser_0209.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Mark Wilson / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Barely Bipartisan, a Stimulus Deal Is Done]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877971,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Three Republicans joined to push the bill forward, a better showing of support than in the House, but still more contentious than the President wanted]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877971,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_senate_stimulus_0207.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brendan Smialowski / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Obama Regain Control of Congress's Stimulus Bill?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877192,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The biggest challenge President Barack Obama faces in trying to sell America on his nearly $900 billion stimulus package is that, as it stands, it's not really his]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877192,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_stimulus_0204.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[From left: Stefan Zaklin / EPA / Corbis; Yuri Gripas / AFP / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Ben Nelson Get Obama a Bipartisan Stimulus Win?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877535,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The self-described moderate Nebraska Senator has been here before, trying to forge a coalition of moderate Democrats and Republicans. But this is his toughest task yet]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877535,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_bennelson_0206.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Scott J. Ferrell / Congressional Quarterly / Getty Images]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Mitt Romney: The GOP's Top MBA]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877458,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[A year after withdrawing from the presidential race, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney talks to TIME about President Obama, the stimulus plan and what he'll do next]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877458,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_mitt_romney_0205.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Lessons of Daschle: Can Obama Reboot?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877091,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama promised to free Washington from the grip of special interests. Now he has to deliver]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1877091,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_cklein_0216.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama vs. Pelosi: Can the President Work with the Democrats?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876912,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[In trying to get his stimulus bill passed, the President has found himself at odds with the House Speaker]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876912,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_obama_pelosi_0202.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Jason Reed / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Are Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Doomed?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1876679,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Pharmaceutical companies and media outlets are nervously watching for signs that Democrats may limit consumer advertising of prescription drugs]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1876679,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_drug_ads_0130.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Did Daschle Bow Out Too Soon, or Was It Inevitable?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876713,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The chances for his nomination had deteriorated markedly. Still, some worry that Daschle's departure makes it tougher to find qualified appointees]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876713,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_daschle_a_0203.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Larry Downing / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[What Is Real Stimulus and What Isn't?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876535,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[There are valid criticisms of the economic stimulus plans, but much of the proposed package will both create jobs and serve long-term goals]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876535,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_stimulus_0202.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Brooks Kraft / Corbis]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[McCain Aide Mark Salter Reflects on the Defeat]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1856960,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[John McCain's closest aide makes the case that the press never really played fair with his candidate]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1856960,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2008/0811/77_mark_sulter_b_1105.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Daschle's Problems: When Is a Lobbyist Not a Lobbyist?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876550,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The Obama Cabinet nominee is under fire for his taxes, but it's the ethical gray area Daschle's advisory work represents that has called into question Obama's promise of changing the culture in Washington]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876550,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0902/77_daschle_0202.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Susan Walsh / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Steele Makes History, but Can the New Party Chief Remake the GOP?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876092,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The former Lieut. Governor of Maryland may bring the right ideas to the table -- but can he really make the GOP over into a "Big Tent"?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1876092,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_michael_steele_a_0130.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Ron Edmonds / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Barack Obama's Fresh Start: Substance Over Showbiz]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874632,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama has shifted the focus of the presidency from showbiz to substance -- at least for now]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874632,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_cklein_0209.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Kevin Dietsch / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Stimulus Bill's Bumpy Ride: Is Bipartisanship Possible?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874966,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Obama presses for a speedy economic-stimulus bill only to find the process slowed up by partisan politics and in need of legislative sleights of hand]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874966,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_stimulus_0130.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Wong / Getty Images]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The GOP Grapples with Obama's Charm Offensive]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874388,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[The President wants to woo Republicans to support his stimulus plan. He appears to be making some headway]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874388,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_obama_charm_0128.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Kevin Lamarque / Reuters]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets a Loophole: William Lynn]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874165,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Is the loophole for the Pentagon's new No. 2 business as usual, a nod to reality -- or both?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1874165,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_william_lynn_0126.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Hillary Clinton's Successor, Kirsten Gillibrand]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873589,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Governor Paterson taps an upstate Congresswoman to fill New York's vacant U.S. Senate seat]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873589,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_gillibrand_0123.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Rick Garguilo / The Saratogian / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Reading the Stimulus]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873901,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[941 pages of legislation? Doesn't sound very stimulating. But the folks at the Heritage Foundation are willing to read it -- and now you can too]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873901,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_viral_thing_0123.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Can Hillary Clinton and Her Envoys Rebuild U.S. Diplomacy?]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1873543,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Naming heavy hitters Mitchell and Holbrooke as envoys to key conflict zonessignals an urgency to make changes. But much will depend on the policiesthat guide them]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1873543,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_envoys_0123.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Matthew Cavanaugh / Pool / Getty Images]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[The Obama Team's Debut: Not Quite Ready on Day One]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873540,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Just as no war plan survives first contact with the enemy, even the smoothest sailing Presidential transition is destined to founder a bit in its first days at the White House]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873540,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_obama_sign_0122.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Mark Wilson / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Ted Kennedy's Circle Upset by Caroline Kennedy's Awkward Exit]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873328,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[By citing "personal reasons" for withdrawing her name from consideration for New York's U.S. Senate seat, was she referring to her uncle's illness?]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873328,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_kennedys_0122.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Getty]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Obama's Economic Stimulus Plan Hits Bipartisan Obstacles]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873192,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Members of both parties are expressing doubts about various parts of the President's plan to get the economy moving again]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1873192,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_stimulus_0121.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Susan Walsh / AP]]></media:credit>
  </item>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[Barack Obama Promises New Destiny, Work Begins Today]]></title>
   <link>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1872924,00.html?xid=rss-politics</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Barack Obama's Inauguration showed the world a more sober, civil and exuberant America]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST</pubDate>
   <guid>http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1872924,00.html?xid=rss-politics</guid>
   <media:content url="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0901/77_obama_oval_0121.jpg" type="image/jpeg" isDefault="false" expression="sample" width="77" height="50"></media:content>
   <media:credit><![CDATA[Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME]]></media:credit>
  </item>
 </channel>
</rss>
