Republicans cite Lott in calling for Reid to quit (AP)

The yet-to-be-released book, 'Game Change', about the 2008 presidential campaign is seen at the Associated Press in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, the top Democrat in the U.S. Senate, apologized on Saturday for comments, quoted in the book, which he made about then-Sen. Barack Obama's race during the 2008 presidential bid.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP – A double standard? Republicans seeking Sen. Harry Reid’s resignation as majority leader over racial remarks he made about Barack Obama say yes — that Reid should be held to the same standard as former GOP Sen. Trent Lott, whose own racial gaffes cost him the Senate leadership in 2002.

In Hasan case, superiors ignored their own worries (AP)

FILE - The 2007 file photo provided by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences shows Nidal Malik Hasan when he entered the program for his Disaster and Military Psychiatry Fellowship. A Defense Department review of the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, has found the doctors overseeing Hasan's medical training repeatedly voiced concerns over his strident views on Islam and his inappropriate behavior, yet continued to give him positive performance evaluations that kept him moving through the ranks. Hasan, 39, stands charged with the premiditated murder of 13 people and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder, Hasan, 39, is accused of killing 13 people on Nov. 5, 2009, at Fort Hood, the worst killing spree on a U.S. military base. (AP Photo/Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, File)AP – A Defense Department review of the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, has found the doctors overseeing Maj. Nidal Hasan’s medical training repeatedly voiced concerns over his strident views on Islam and his inappropriate behavior, yet continued to give him positive performance evaluations that kept him moving through the ranks.

Clinton to talk bases, security on Pacific swing (Reuters)

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers a speech on foreign policy at Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington January 6, 2010. REUTERS/Jim YoungReuters – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heads to the South Pacific this week, working to boost key U.S. alliances while pressing Japan to resolve a damaging dispute over a critical U.S. military base.

U.S. envoy says North Korea rights record “appalling” (Reuters)

U.S. envoy on North Korean human rights Robert King answers reporters' questions after meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan in Seoul January 11, 2010. REUTERS/Lee Jae-WonReuters – The Obama administration’s newly appointed envoy for human rights in North Korea said on Monday Pyongyang had an abysmal record and that Washington would press the reclusive state to clean up its act.

Obama: ‘No intention’ to send troops to Yemen (AP)

President Barack Obama speaks about the economy, Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP – President Barack Obama says he has no intention of sending American troops to Yemen or Somalia.

GOP: Response to Reid remark shows double standard (AP)

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2006 file photo, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nev., center, is joined by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., as he prepares to outline the Democrat agenda for reform in the wake of the scandal involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff in Washington. In a White House statement released Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, President Barack Obama said he accepted Reid's apology Saturday for comments he made about Obama's race during the 2008 presidential bid  because '... I know what's in his heart.'  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)AP – Republicans on Sunday accused Democrats of a double standard by accepting Sen. Harry Reid’s apology for racial remarks about Barack Obama instead of demanding Reid’s ouster as majority leader.

U.S. suggestion of sanctions causes stir in Israel (Reuters)

U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell reads a statement after his meeting Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus July 26, 2009. REUTERS/ Khaled al-HaririReuters – A U.S. peace envoy’s suggestion that Washington could penalize Israel financially to force it to make concessions to the Palestinians drew Israeli ire on Sunday.

Republicans call on Senator Reid to quit post (Reuters)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) listens to remarks after the U.S. Senate approved President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this December 24, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Jim YoungReuters – The Republican Party chief called on Senator Harry Reid on Sunday to step down as Senate majority leader over racial comments about President Barack Obama, while Democrats tried to put the issue behind them.

Wrong to give bomb suspect civilian rights: McCain (Reuters)

Reuters – The Nigerian man who attempted to blow up a commercial jet outside Detroit on Christmas Day should be tried as an enemy combatant in a military court, a leading Republican Senator said on Sunday.

Senate’s Reid tells Obama he regrets racial remarks (Reuters)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) listens to remarks after the U.S. Senate approved President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this December 24, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Jim YoungReuters – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid apologized to President Barack Obama on Saturday for comments he made during the 2008 presidential campaign that critics find racially offensive.

GOP chief: Reid should step down as Senate leader (AP)

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2006 file photo, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nev., center, is joined by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., as he prepares to outline the Democrat agenda for reform in the wake of the scandal involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff in Washington. In a White House statement released Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, President Barack Obama said he accepted Reid's apology Saturday for comments he made about Obama's race during the 2008 presidential bid  because '... I know what's in his heart.'  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)AP – The Republican Party chairman says Sen. Harry Reid should step down as the Senate Democratic leader over racial remarks Reid made about Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign.

CIA director defends agency against criticism (AFP)

File photo of CIA Director Leon Panetta. Panetta revealed that a Jordanian doctor who killed seven agency operatives was about to be searched before he blew himself up at a US military base in Afghanistan.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Kevork Djansezian)AFP – CIA Director Leon Panetta, in an article published Sunday, revealed that a Jordanian doctor who killed seven agency operatives was about to be searched before he blew himself up at a US military base in Afghanistan.

Obama launches new push for healthcare overhaul (Reuters)

An outbound passenger (L) and a Transportation Secrurity Administration officer watch as US President Barack Obama speaks on the news at Washington Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC. Boosted airport security measures will be at the top of US lawmakers' agenda when they return to Congress next week, amid intelligence failures exposed by the botched Christmas Day attack.(AFP/Jim Watson)Reuters – President Barack Obama on Saturday renewed his pitch for final congressional passage of a U.S. healthcare overhaul and promised Americans they will begin reaping the benefits soon after he signs a bill into law.

Reid to Obama: Sorry for ‘no Negro dialect’ remark (AP)

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2006, file photo Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nev., center, joined by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, prepares to outline the Democrat agenda for reform in the wake of the scandal involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, at the Library of Congress in Washington.  Reid apologized Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, to President Barack Obama  for comments he made about Obama's race during the 2008 presidential bid, which are quoted in a yet-to-be-released book about the campaign titled 'Game Change'. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)AP – Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid apologized on Saturday for saying Barack Obama should seek — and could win — the White House because Obama was a “light skinned” African-American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.”

Report: Grand jury apparently probes gate-crashers (AP)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009  file photo, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, right, arrive at a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington. A federal grand jury has convened to investigate whether fraudulent statements were made to government officials, apparently in the probe of how a Virginia couple got into a White House state dinner without an invitation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)AP – A federal grand jury has convened to investigate whether fraudulent statements were made to government officials, apparently in the probe of how a Virginia couple got into a White House state dinner without an invitation.

Nigerian bomb suspect pleads not guilty (AFP)

In this artist's sketch, Nigerian bombing suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (right) appears before Judge Bernard Friedman in Federal Courthouse in Detroit, Michigan. Hobbled by leg irons, the young Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a US plane on Christmas Day pleaded not guilty on Friday as he made his first court appearance amid heightened security.(AFP/Vera Sadock)AFP – Hobbled by leg irons, a young Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a US plane on Christmas Day pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance amid heightened security.

Attacks show al-Qaida-inspired groups target West (AP)

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2010 file photo, two Yemeni soldiers operate at a checkpoint in the streets of San'a, Yemen. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)AP – From Detroit to Afghanistan, scattered terrorists inspired and equipped by al-Qaida have attacked recently with surprising speed and worldwide reach, challenging the U.S. strategy of slowly and deliberately targeting the terror group’s top leaders.

Clinton urges resumption of Mideast talks (AFP)

AFP – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Palestinians and Israelis to resume peace talks “without preconditions,” backing Palestinian aims for a state along the 1967 boundaries.

Chavez says Venezuela jets intercepted U.S. plane (Reuters)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during a meeting with ministers at Miraflores Palace in Caracas January 8, 2010. Chavez said he ordered two F-16 jets to intercept a U.S. military plane that twice violated Venezuelan airspace on Friday in what he called the latest provocation in the South American nation's skies. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/HandoutReuters – President Hugo Chavez said he ordered two F-16 jets to intercept a U.S. military plane that twice entered Venezuelan skies on Friday, but Washington said none of its planes flew over the South American country’s airspace.

Attacks show al-Qaida-inspired groups target West (AP)

FILE -This Dec. 25, 2009 file photo shows Northwest Airlines Flight 253 sits on the runway after arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Amsterdam. (AP Photo/J.P. Karas, File)AP – From Detroit to Afghanistan, scattered terrorists inspired and equipped by al-Qaida have attacked recently with surprising speed and worldwide reach, challenging the U.S. strategy of slowly and deliberately targeting the terror group’s top leaders.

Vice President Joe Biden’s mother dies at 92 (Reuters)

Reuters – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s mother, Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden, died on Friday at the family’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, the vice president said in a statement. She was 92.

Schwarzenegger submits “draconian” California budget (Reuters)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of the state of California, gestures during a debate at the Climate Summit for Mayors at the Copenhagen City Hall December 16, 2009. REUTERS/Scanpix/Anders Debel HansenReuters – California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed “draconian” spending cuts in his new budget on Friday to help close a crippling deficit and warned new cash shortages loomed in coming months.

Tight security as Nigerian bomb suspect pleads not guilty (AFP)

In this artist's sketch, Nigerian bombing suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (R) appears before Judge Bernard Friedman (L) in Federal Courthouse in Detroit, Michigan. Hobbled by leg irons, the young Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a US plane on Christmas Day pleaded not guilty Friday as he made his first court appearance amid heightened security.(AFP/Vera Sadock)AFP – Hobbled by leg irons, a young Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a US plane on Christmas Day pleaded not guilty Friday as he made his first court appearance amid heightened security.

Alleged US airline bomber pleads not guilty (AFP)

The booking photo of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Lawyers for the young Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a US plane on Christmas Day pleaded not guilty Friday, as he faced life imprisonment on six charges.(AFP/US Marshals Service/File)AFP – Lawyers for a young Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a US plane on Christmas Day pleaded not guilty Friday, as he faced life imprisonment on six charges.

California governor seeks permanent state pay cuts (Reuters)

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, pictured in 2009, called for reform of California's tax and budget system Wednesday, saying sweeping changes were necessary to break the state's endless cycle of fiscal problems.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Ezra Shaw)Reuters – California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will propose replacing furloughs of state workers with permanent pay cuts and increased retirement contributions from workers when he unveils his fiscal 2011 budget later Friday, his spokesman said.

Obama orders up more air security, intel sharing (AP)

U.S. President Barack Obama makes statements to outline steps the U.S. government is taking to try to shore up airline security at the White House in Washington January 7, 2010. Obama took responsibility on Thursday for security lapses that led to an attempted Christmas Day bombing on a Detroit-bound plane and ordered steps taken to plug gaps.   REUTERS/Jason Reed   (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)AP – Hundreds of law enforcement officers are being trained as federal air marshals to ramp up security as the Obama administration tries to prevent a repeat of the near-catastrophic attempt to blow up an airliner bound for Detroit on Christmas Day.

Gates, holdover from Bush team, to stay at Defense (AP)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrives for a meeting with President Barack Obama and other agency heads to discuss ongoing reviews of the Christmas Day incident, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP – Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the most prominent Republican in President Barack Obama’s inner circle plans to remain in his Cabinet post for at least another year.

Former Bush lawyer charged with attempted murder (Reuters)

Reuters – A former top attorney for President George W. Bush was charged in Connecticut on Thursday with attempted murder after he allegedly attacked his wife with a long flashlight.

Obama orders new measures after security lapses (Reuters)

Bomb suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab who is accused of trying to blow up a plane as it approached Detroit. President Barack Obama has since accused a Yemen-based affiliate of Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda group of being involved in the attempted bombing of the plane.(AFP/USMS/File)Reuters – President Barack Obama took ultimate responsibility on Thursday for security lapses that allowed the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a U.S. airliner and ordered reforms aimed at thwarting future attacks.

Obama says anti-terror ‘buck’ stops with him (AP)

President Barack Obama speaks about the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP – President Barack Obama declared Thursday “the buck stops with me” for the nation’s security and suggested he would not fire anyone for the Christmas attack on a Detroit-bound airliner. Security lapses that led to the near-disaster were not the fault of a single individual or agency, he said, vowing they would be corrected.