Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to call Toyota president

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he will personally call the president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, to stress safety issues.

GOP officials: no sign of bipartisanship on healthcare reform

So far, top GOP officials say, Democrats aren't moving to work with them on healthcare reform. The Republican victory in Massachusetts has cost Democrats their filibuster-proof margin in the Senate.

Americans give Obama mixed report card on his first year

Americans are split on whether Barack Obama’s first year as president has been a success, a new national poll finds.

Head of 9/11 Commission: Christmas intel errors were different

Economist Mark Zandi: chance of second recession 1 in 4

Mark Zandi, chief economist and cofounder of Economy.com, says the chances of a second recession are low. But should one occur, it would be even more difficult for the US to rebound again.

Poll: 2010 could be 'year of the angry white male' redux

Voters are in a sour mood, which could lead to trouble for incumbents in Congress and statehouses in 2010, bipartisan pollsters say. Will it be a repeat of the 'Republican revolution' of 1994?

Beyond Obama's B+: How Democrats can hold the House in 2010

Job growth will be a key factor in whether voters let Democrats retain control of the House in 2010, says John Podesta, influential Democrat and CEO of Center for American Progress. Obama's approval rating will be another.

Levin: In Afghanistan, US should focus on training local forces

Sen. Carl Levin cited concerns about stress on the US military as the US decides its next steps in Afghanistan. Levin spoke at a Monitor breakfast Thursday.

White House economist Romer says economy has turned a corner

The nation’s GDP grew in the third quarter. But Obama's chief economist Christina Romer says the US is 'still in for more bad news' on jobs until GDP grows even more.

Huckabee: GOP tent can 'be big,' but NY-23 was a 'train wreck'

Huckabee, a 2008 GOP presidential candidate and social conservative, criticizes the selection process in NY-23 race, but sees room in party for liberal Republicans.

New poll shows risks to opponents of Obama's economic stimulus plan

As she leaves, Bush's press secretary has some advice for reporters

Perino calls for more straight reporting rather than opinion disguised as “analysis.”

Top pollster to Republicans: don’t rush the comeback

Bill McInturff was the featured guest at Thursday’s Monitor Breakfast.

Pollster: Voters like Obama, hate economy, will ignore Blagojevich

Chertoff: US can learn from Mumbai attacks

The Homeland Security Secretary said government agencies must be integrated in order to be effective.

Cheney on the move, in a lower-profile mode

Democratic strategists: Election could herald a 'lost generation' for GOP

World

Joint Chiefs head: ‘Enablers’ needed in troop-scarce Afghanistan

Adm. Mike Mullen is pushing to get more planes and helicopters there to make up for the lack of troops.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen readies for new boss, Afghanistan challenges