![[Panetta]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CX223_0105pa_A_20090105153040.jpg)
Obama picked Leon Panetta, a former chief of staff under Clinton, to run the CIA. Panetta was a surprise pick with no experience in the intelligence world.
IBM's CEO advised the Obama transition team that $30 billion in government investments in IT infrastructure could create more than 900,000 U.S. jobs.
The six candidates vying to chair the Republican National Committee agreed that the party must return to core principles after its stinging election defeats.
In the long run, the Israeli push into Gaza could open some doors for the Obama administration.
![[Whitman]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CX225_0105wh_A_20090105154537.jpg)
Meg Whitman stepped down from the boards of P&G, eBay and Dreamworks Animation, another signal the former eBay chief is seriously considering a run for governor.
![[Kotz]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CX254_0105ma_A_20090105165001.jpg)
The SEC watchdog said he plans to broaden his investigation by examining whether or not the SEC as a whole is effective in its oversight of the financial markets. (Kotz testimony)
The government supplied another $15 billion to seven banks in the latest round of payments from the $700 billion rescue fund.
Bill Richardson's withdrawal as commerce secretary was the first bump in the new cabinet and the second "pay to play" investigation that has touched Obama's transition to the presidency.
A Minnesota board certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state's U.S. Senate recount over Republican Norm Coleman, but a legal challenge probably will keep the race in limbo.
Burris is headed to Washington for a high-stakes showdown on Capitol Hill about whether he'll succeed Obama in Congress. U.S. prosecutors won a 90-day extension to seek an indictment of Blagojevich.
![[Probe Leads Richardson to Abandon Cabinet Bid]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/P1-AO199_Richar_A_20090104172623.jpg)
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name from consideration to be Commerce secretary, citing a federal probe into a company that has donated to his political organizations.
![[Housing Push for Hispanics Spawns Wave of Foreclosures]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CX116_forecl_A_20090104212258.jpg)
A push by lenders, lawmakers and advocacy groups to increase homeownership among Latinos resulted in a huge increase in nonprime lending. Now, many Hispanics find themselves mired in the national housing mess.
Railroad customers, claiming unfair price hikes, are making a push for Congress to reinstitute tighter federal regulation.
A federal appeals court ruled that the government can keep secret the identities of detainees allegedly abused at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp.
![[Calls Grow to Cap Property Taxes]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/NA-AV076_PROPTA_A_20090104221527.jpg)
Support for property-tax rollbacks is building, fueled by homeowners who are seeing rising tax bills despite plunging home prices.
![[US Pakistan photo]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/NA-AV074_USPAK_A_20090104221705.jpg)
U.S and Pakistani military cooperation has increased as the two nations push to eliminate militants destabilizing both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is set to become the next chairman of the Democratic Party.
From the White House to Capitol Hill, U.S. officials remained firmly behind Israel. They urged a cease-fire, but put the onus on Hamas.
The president-elect is expected to meet with congressional leaders to discuss his economic stimulus plan and other legislative issues soon after his arrival in Washington.
Denver public schools superintendent Michael Bennet was appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy that will be created by the promotion of Sen. Ken Salazar to interior secretary.
![[Stimulus Plan Would Expand Tax Credit to Poor]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/NA-AV089_STIMUL_D_20090105192321.jpg)
Obama met with lawmakers to begin selling his stimulus plan as his advisers offered more details, including a proposal to expand the child tax credit for poor families.
![[President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are crafting a plan to offer as much as $310 billion of tax cuts.]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CX110_barack_A_20090104190150.jpg)
Obama and congressional Democrats are crafting a tax-cut plan to offer about $300 billion in tax cuts to individuals and businesses.
![[Senate minority leader, Republican Mitch McConnell]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/NA-AU992_STIMUL_A_20081229213437.jpg)
Republican lawmakers are positioning themselves as foes of excessive spending as they prepare for battle over Obama's stimulus package.
Democrats worry they won't be able to offer a stimulus package for congressional debate until late January because they haven't received a plan from Obama's team.
![[Pet Doctors in Ohio Hope for Cash From Stimulus]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/P1-AO115_SEWER__A_20081226145832.jpg)
An Ohio veterinary hospital is hoping that the huge economic stimulus being pondered in Washington will bring money for a sewer line that would improve life for animals in its care.
![[Biden]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CW092_biden_A_20081223130537.jpg)
Biden released details of the emerging stimulus package, saying that 85% of jobs created under the plan will be in the private sector and that no pet projects will be accepted.
The largest retail trade association asked Obama to add sales tax-exempt shopping days to a coming economic stimulus package in an effort to spur spending.
Democratic leaders are aggressively lowering expectations that the massive economic stimulus package will yield dramatic accomplishments quickly.
![[Best Campaign Photos]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CV716_1219be_A_20081219131619.jpg)
Sen. Barack Obama was elected the nation's first African-American president after an epic two-year campaign. See photos from the trail.
Peter A. Brown, of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, offers an award to the person in the public eye who most royally screwed up to their own detriment in the past 12 months.
![[Review & Outlook]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CX111_oj_2mi_A_20090104195040.jpg)
In which every dubious ruling seems to help Al Franken.
![[Review & Outlook]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CX112_oj_1ga_A_20090104195429.jpg)
Obama's Iran diplomacy needs a Hamas defeat.
We should invest in projects that make us more productive.
A look at those named to the cabinet and key advisory roles in the new administration -- and those expected to be named soon.
