Burris says he's senator _ but Dems won't seat him
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Democrats struggled to avert a showdown steeped in race and corruption Monday as a defiant Roland Burris declared, "I'm a United States senator" and flew to the capital to claim President-elect Barack Obama's old seat in Congress....

Franken on top in Minn. recount; Coleman to sue
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A Minnesota board on Monday certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state's U.S. Senate recount over Republican Norm Coleman, whose lawyer promised a legal challenge that probably will keep the race in limbo for months....

Kennedy missteps might not trip her up in the end
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Caroline Kennedy's missteps and halting speech patterns have been replayed endlessly since she announced her bid to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate....

Kaine says he'll limit time spent as party leader
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Gov. Tim Kaine said Monday he will manage a Virginia budget crisis $3 billion and growing and head the Democratic National Committee in his spare time, largely as "an electronic gig."...

Biden to head to Asia for congressional trip
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Joe Biden is heading to Southwest Asia just days before becoming vice president, a visit that signals the new administration's plans to make the troubled region an immediate priority....

AP source: Ex-eBay CEO to run for Calif. governor
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Former eBay Inc. chief executive Meg Whitman plans to run for governor of California, a person with knowledge of her political aspirations said Monday....

Obama says his plan with tax cuts to get quick OK
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama plunged into rare pre-inaugural crisis talks with congressional leaders Monday, declaring the national economy was "bad and getting worse" and embracing tax cuts now expected to reach $300 billion. He predicted lawmakers would approve a mammoth revitalization package within two weeks of his taking office....

Congressmen sound off against SEC in Madoff affair
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican and Democratic House members said Monday that the alleged $50 billion fraud involving Wall Street figure Bernard Madoff reflects deep, systemic problems at the Securities and Exchange Commission....

New House rules reflect Democrats' election win
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats unveiled internal rules Monday that would end Republican-imposed, six-year term limits on committee chairmen and make it harder for GOP lawmakers to offer alternative legislation....

US suggests conditions of a Gaza cease-fire
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration stuck to its defense of Israel's expanding offensive in the Gaza Strip on Monday and pushed for a cease-fire including a lasting halt to Hamas' rocket attacks on Israel and a reopening of border crossings that are Gaza's economic lifeline....