Obama in London: At state dinner, president and queen toast nations' enduring ties

President Obama and Queen Elizabeth II toasted the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom on Tuesday, a bond strengthened at times of peril for each of the transatlantic allies.

House Republicans plan debt limit vote aimed at forcing cuts

House Republicans announced Tuesday that they would hold a vote, possibly as soon as next week, to raise the nation's debt limit without any spending reductions – a maneuver designed to show there is no political support in Congress for expanding the nation's $14.3 trillion borrowing capacity without substantial deficit reforms.

Democrats pushing consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren to take on Scott Brown in 2012

Democrats are encouraging Elizabeth Warren, the Obama administration advisor setting up the newly established Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to enter the Senate race in Massachusetts against Republican incumbent Scott Brown.

Obama in London: President and prime minister are no match for London school children

In a break from the pomp and ceremony of his state visit to the United Kingdom, President Obama joined Prime Minister David Cameron in a spirited game of table tennis at a local school Tuesday afternoon.

Israel's Netanyahu addresses Congress as an old friend

Speaking to a friendly and enthusiastic congressional audience, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday gave his vision of the Middle East, based on a strong Israel irrevocably linked to the United States and willing to make some, but not all, sacrifices for peace with the Palestinians.

Is GOP presidential field set? Hopes for a 'perfect candidate' may be fading

Think of it as the political version of "The Hangover Part II." The decisions of first Mike Huckabee and then Mitch Daniels to pass up a White House bid have left voters hoping for alternatives to the current field reeling. And there may not be a cure.

Obama in London: This time, the president opts for a more traditional gift for the queen

On his first visit to Buckingham Palace in 2009, President Obama gave Queen Elizabeth II an iPod. Given a second chance Tuesday, his gift for the British monarch was decidedly more traditional.

White House: 'Weeks' until deal on debt limit

On the eve of another round of deficit reduction talks, the White House budget director said he envisions “quite a few weeks of conversation” between congressional leaders and Vice President Joe Biden until an agreement can be reached.   

Obama in London: Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Obamas for state visit

Queen Elizabeth II welcomed President Obama to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, marking the start of a state visit with the British monarch.

Obama promises full federal response to Midwest storms, will visit Missouri on Sunday

President Obama on Tuesday morning expressed his sorrow about the tornado damage in Missouri, Minnesota and around the Midwest, calling the devastation "incomparable" and promising a full federal response to help in the recovery.

Irish welcome vindication for former Chicago pol Obama

It has been eight years since Barack Obama was relegated to the back-end of the St. Patrick's Day parade through the Chicago Loop, but he still remembers it.