Roland Burris took his place as Barack Obama's successor in the Senate on Thursday, ending a standoff that embarrassed the president-elect and fellow Democrats who initially resisted the appointment by scandal-scarred Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. "I do," Burris said with a grin as Vice President ...

WASHINGTON - When Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine steps in as head of the Democratic Party next week, he will face a local challenge along with his national priorities: making sure his state's next governor is a Democrat.

Kaine's term as governor ends next January, and he cannot run for re-election.

Tapped by President-elect Barack Obama as chairman of ...

So maybe Barack Obama doesn't think Jimmy Carter has cooties after all. The soon-to-be-president broke bread and shared the Oval Office stage with Carter on Wednesday. Granted, two other former presidents, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush were also present, but it nonetheless marked the first time in the nearly two years since Obama ...