Mass. Sen. Brown writing a book about his life

A can't miss rung on the ladder to celebrity status in Washington: Newly seated Sen. Scott Brown will write a book about his life leading up to his upset election to succeed the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. 1265815116

Mich. Republican Ehlers will not seek re-election

Rep. Vernon Ehlers, a moderate Republican from Michigan who sought protections for the Great Lakes and funding for math and science education, said Wednesday he won't seek re-election to Congress. 1265816333
N. Carolina courts now holding John Edwards sex tape

Ex John Edwards aide Andrew Young has turned over to authorities the tape that is the purported sex video featuring Edwards and Rielle Hunter, the woman with whom Edwards fathered a daughter during his campaign for president. Hunter had sued Young and his wife, demanding the tape back. 1265806953
Obama to meet with black leaders on the economy

It's a light public day for President Barack Obama as Washington deals with its second snowstorm in less than a week.
Obama, Palin trade telling jibes over crib sheets

The jokes about Barack Obama's close relationship with his teleprompter have been constant since he became president. 1265802753
Gov't fitness efforts haven't stemmed kid obesity

First lady Michelle Obama isn't the first national leader to try to get America's kids off the couch. President Dwight D. Eisenhower tried more than 50 years ago, and it's been a losing battle since.
PROMISES, PROMISES: War widows' futile fight

For a decade, war widows in matching yellow suit jackets and hats quietly and persistently have knocked on Capitol Hill doors seeking an end to the "widows' tax," a government policy that deprives them of benefits from their husbands' military service. 1265812463
As Iran protest looms, U.S. keeps its distance

At first blush, it seems like a godsend for U.S. foreign policy: a tenacious Iranian opposition, democratic in name at least, is challenging a regime that has caused the U.S. no end of headaches over the last 30 years.
Senate vote shows new hurdles for Democrats' union base

The Senate Tuesday failed to advance President Barack Obama's nomination of a union lawyer to the National Labor Relations Board, as the debate and vote became a test of union clout in Congress.
Vote on Obama labor nominee spells trouble for unions

The Senate Tuesday failed to advance President Barack Obama's nomination of a union lawyer to the National Labor Relations Board, even though 52 senators vote to shut down a GOP filibuster. But that wasn't enough in a Senate where 60 votes are required to cut off debate.