Power

Personal, strategic motivations for Obama in Asia

By JULIE PACEAssociated Press BANGKOK (AP) - For President Barack Obama, expanding U.S. influence in Asia is more than just countering China or opening up new markets to American businesses. It's also about building his legacy. Fresh off re-election, Obama will make a significant investment

Democrats toughen stance on trimming benefits

By ANDREW TAYLORAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's re-election has stiffened Democrats' spine against cutting popular benefit programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Their new resolve could become as big a hurdle to a deal that would skirt crippling tax

SUPREME COURT NOTEBOOK: Alito takes on critics

By MARK SHERMANAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is defending the court's 2010 decision in the Citizens United case that helped fuel hundreds of millions of dollars of spending by independent groups in the just-concluded campaign season. Alito told

Obama turns to foreign policy with Asia trip

By JIM KUHNHENNAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - In his first trip abroad since the summer heat of the re-election campaign, President Barack Obama will seek to reinforce American influence in Southeast Asia in spite of the large shadow cast by China. He will become the first U.S. president to