Obama Newsroom

There's a spirited, sometimes secretive debate over how to make the best use of the president-elect's broad volunteer network. Not everyone's happy with early hints about the direction.

James Dillon, a onetime Republican activist who grew disgusted with politics, was so inspired by Barack Obama's candidacy that he joined the campaign's massive volunteer army, hosting house parties and recruiting supporters.Submit this article to The Obama News

Several consumer groups criticize the early bid by America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group that fought an overhaul in the 1990s, to take an active role in Obama's effort to revamp the system.

Sharpening the emerging debate over how to reshape the country's healthcare system, the major group representing insurers unveiled a proposal Wednesday for covering all Americans in a more centralized insurance market.Submit this article to The Obama News

A businessman from Virginia snaps up a $1-million hotel package so that people in need can attend.

It was billed as the biggest, most eye-popping of the inauguration hotel packages: the JW Marriott's $1-million "build your own ball" offer, including 300 rooms, four suites, $200,000 worth of food and drink, and a primo site overlooking the parade route.Submit this article to The Obama News

Legalizing it seems like a good idea in these cash-strapped times. But there are many reasons to just say no.

Barack Obama is probably getting more letters than Santa Claus this year.Submit this article to The Obama News

There are many other types of legitimate partnerships that could use legal validation.

Ever since California voters passed Proposition 8, defining marriage in the state as between one woman and one man, my wife and I have been arguing about it.Submit this article to The Obama News

The New Mexico governor considers his position the 'nerve center' in the effort to lift the economy.

When Barack Obama said Wednesday that he was naming Bill Richardson as his Commerce secretary, the president-elect noted the New Mexico governor's many achievements: his stints as a U.S. congressman, United Nations ambassador and Energy secretary.Submit this article to The Obama News

A bipartisan panel cites 'growing risks' that the world will see an attack. Biological terrorism is called the greatest threat.

President-elect Barack Obama will probably confront a biological or nuclear attack at home or abroad if the U.S. and its allies do not act decisively to prevent it, according to a report released this week by a panel created by Congress.Submit this article to The Obama News

In defeating challenger Jim Martin, the Georgia Republican deflates Democratic prospects for a filibuster-proof Senate majority.

Democrats' dream of a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate ended Tuesday when Georgia Republican Saxby Chambliss held on to his seat in a closely watched runoff election.Submit this article to The Obama News

'There is no Plan B,' an executive says. The Big Three automakers now seek as much as $34 billion in U.S. aid.

Turning to Washington for a lifeline, General Motors Corp. has asked lawmakers for up to $18 billion to stave off collapse, promising in return to slash executive pay and jettison its poorly performing brands.Submit this article to The Obama News

The Nixon Presidential Library & Museum releases its largest collection of archival papers and tapes, which reflect the president's crusade to scope out those who antagonized him.

As part of a release of archival tapes and documents Monday, the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum revealed fresh records that reflect the 37th president's heated campaign to investigate, intimidate and smear political rivals and opponents of the Vietnam War.Submit this article to The Obama News

President-elect tells a gathering of 48 state chief executives that he wants their input on a national economic recovery plan.

The nation's governors came to tell tales of financial woe, but President-elect Barack Obama was already sold on them playing a role in the national economic recovery plan.Submit this article to The Obama News

The Defense secretary says the new U.S.-Iraq security agreement changes the conversation from debating a timeline for withdrawal to figuring out how to reduce troops responsibly.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he accepted President-elect Barack Obama's approach to scheduled troop reductions in Iraq, arguing Tuesday that the hotly debated subject of timelines for withdrawal largely had been settled by a new U.S.-Iraq security agreement.Submit this article to The Obama News

In only registered voters are tallied, the turnout was 80.6%. Final races are tallied: McClintock and Strickland win. Prop. 11 and Beverly Hills condo measure pass.

More than 60% of Californians who were eligible to vote cast ballots in the Nov. 4 presidential election, the highest turnout since Richard Nixon and George McGovern competed for the office in 1972, elections officials reported Tuesday.Submit this article to The Obama News