TIME.com Top Politics Stories

Watching Clinton's Transition at State

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Now that Hillary Clinton has been nominated to be Secretary of State, President-elect Barack Obama's former Democratic rival will begin preparing for the job that awaits her in less than two months

Georgia's Senate Runoff: Where's Obama?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

As Chambliss and Martin go to the polls, political heavyweights -- except for the President-elect -- return to throw in their support

U.N. Ambassador: Susan E. Rice

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama's choice as United Nations ambassador has a few things in common with another female foreign policy expert named Rice

Fla. Senator Martinez Will Not Run in 2010

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who has struggled to boost his approval ratings because of close ties to President George W. Bush, announced Tuesday he will not seek a second term in 2010

What's Really at Stake in Georgia's Senate Runoff

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

A surprise Democratic win in this deep-red state would be a crowning embarrassment for Republicans, but the GOP may take a wrong, very dangerous message from a victory

James Jones: Obama's National Security Surprise

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

General James Jones, a former Marine Corps commandant with political savvy, will fill one of the most powerful positions in the country: National Security Adviser

Georgia Sen. Chambliss Wins Reelection

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss handed the GOP a firewall against Democrats eager to flex their newfound political muscle in Washington, winning a bruising runoff battle Tuesday night that had captured the national limelight.

Obama assures governors on economy

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Automakers to submit plans to Congress

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Barbara Bush Discharged from Hospital

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Former first lady Barbara Bush was released from a hospital Tuesday, a week after she underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer.

Bush on Economy: 'I'm Sorry'

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

President George W. Bush expressed remorse that the global financial crisis has cost jobs and harmed retirement accounts and said he'll back more government intervention if needed

Obama Announces National Security Team

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Obama picked former campaign rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state

Bush's Last Days: The Lamest Duck

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Bush's disappearing act during the economic crisis is a fitting coda to a failed presidency

Inside Obama's Idea Factory in Washington

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

The liberal Center for American Progress has taken a cue from the conservative Heritage Foundation: a font for ideas for the incoming Administration

Robert Gibbs

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Sarah Palin to Aid Senate Campaign in Georgia

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss enlisted Sarah Palin to rally conservatives in Georgia while Democratic challenger Jim Martin pushed to activate black voters, as they grappled for advantage in a Tuesday runoff

The Anti-Obama Campaign That Didn't Happen

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Fred Davis III, mastermind of John McCain's advertising strategy, tells TIME about what he was planning -- and what held him back

Obama, Dems Lay Out $500B Rescue Plan

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Congressional Democrats and President-elect Barack Obama are laying the groundwork for quick enactment in January of a giant, two-year economic rescue package

Why Obama Wants Hillary for His 'Team of Rivals'

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

By considering Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, Barack Obama is trying to put together a team of rivals. But that comes with big risks

James Jones Jr.

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Obama Names Peter Orszag as Budget Director

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

The president-elect announced Peter Orszag would be his budget director, charged with scrutinizing spending with a goal of "eliminating those programs we don't need and insisting that those we do need operate in a cost-effective way"

Hardball's Chris Matthews to Run For Senate?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

A Pennsylvania Democratic party leader says MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews may be considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2010

Report: CIA Covered Up 2001 Downing of Plane

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

The CIA withheld information from all three branches of the government about the 2001 shooting down of a plane over Peru carrying an American missionary family, a report says

Former Biden Aide to Fill His Senate Seat

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Edward "Ted" Kaufman, a former aide to Sen. Joe Biden, was named Monday by Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to fill the Senate seat Biden is leaving for the vice presidency

Bush Pardons 14 and Commutes 2 Prison Sentences

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

President George W. Bush has granted pardons to 14 individuals and commuted the prison sentences of two others convicted of misdeeds including drug offenses, tax evasion, wildlife violations and bank embezzlement.

The Pros and Cons of Keeping Robert Gates

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Keeping Bush's Secretary of Defense ensures continuity, but is that what the Dems want?

In Battle of Congress Clout, Waxman Whacks Dingell

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

In challenging and unseating a committee chairman known as "The Truck," California Congressman Henry Waxman has succeeded in the kind of power sortie that happens only once every few decades in Congress

Will Holder's Role in Lewinsky Probe Get Scrutiny?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Obama's reputed nominee for Attorney General was a key figure during the investigation that led to Clinton's impeachment

Waxman Grabs Powerful House Committee Chair

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

Rep. Henry Waxman has wrested the chairmanship of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee from veteran Rep. John Dingell