http://reporternews.com/news/news/politics/?partner=RSSAbilene Reporter-News Stories: Politicsen-usnews/politicshttp://reporternews.com/news/2009/jan/05/speakers-seat-likely-to-go-to-non-rural-texan/?partner=RSSFor all his flaws and alleged faults, House Speaker Tom Craddick is from West Texas. That fact -- together with the San Antonio home of his likely replacement, Joe Straus -- raises concerns among area legislators and observers that rural Texas is likely for the first time in recent memory to have no one sitting in the speaker's chair.Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67402-733412news/politicsLocalSpeaker will likely be non-rural TexanAbilene Reporter-Newsspeakers-seat-likely-to-go-to-non-rural-texanurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67402-733412Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2009/jan/05/minn-board-to-announce-al-franken-as-senate/?partner=RSS The state Canvassing Board was posed to certify the results of the recount in Minnesota's grueling Senate election in Al Franken's favor -- but that doesn't mean the race is definitely over.Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67365-733412news/politicsBy Amy Forliti<br/>Associated PressLocalMinn. board to announce Al Franken as Senate winnerAbilene Reporter-Newsminn-board-to-announce-al-franken-as-senateurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67365-733412Change733412Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2009/jan/03/craddick-is-fighting-back/?partner=RSS One of the most powerful jobs in state government was hanging in the balance Saturday, when both House Speaker Tom Craddick and his new rival claimed they were winning the race to lead the Texas House of Representatives.Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:21:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67315-733410news/politicsBy Jay Root<br/>Associated PressLocalCraddick is fighting backAbilene Reporter-Newscraddick-is-fighting-backurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67315-733410Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/31/blago-creates-new-distraction/?partner=RSS Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich created a new distraction for his state by making an appointment to the U.S. Senate even while he faces federal corruption charges for, in part, allegedly trying to sell the very seat he now is trying to fill.Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:42:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67034-733407news/politicsBy Deanna Bellandi<br/>Associated PressLocalBlago creates new distractionAbilene Reporter-Newsblago-creates-new-distractionurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-67034-733407Change733407Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/30/bush-never-recovered-from-katrina-former-aides/?partner=RSS Hurricane Katrina not only pulverized the Gulf Coast in 2005, it knocked the bully pulpit out from under President George W. Bush, according to two former advisers who spoke candidly about the political impact of the government's poor handling of the natural disaster.Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:39:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66963-733406news/politicsAssociated PressLocalBush never recovered from Hurricane Katrina, former aides sayAbilene Reporter-Newsbush-never-recovered-from-katrina-former-aidesurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66963-733406Change733406Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/23/report-clears-obama-staff-in-scandal/?partner=RSS President-elect Barack Obama and two of his top aides met last week with federal investigators building a corruption case against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, accused of trying to swap Obama's Senate seat for cash or a lucrative job.Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66568-733399news/politicsBy Nedra Pickler<br/>Associated PressLocalReport clears Obama staff in scandal Abilene Reporter-Newsreport-clears-obama-staff-in-scandalurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66568-733399Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/23/taylor-co-democrats-elect-new-chairman/?partner=RSSAs a Democrat in a &quot;red area, red state,&quot; Dason Williams realizes the tough rough ahead.myersd@reporternews.com (Doug Myers)Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:01:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66553-733399news/local-newsDoug MyersLocalTaylor Co. Democrats elect new chairmanAbilene Reporter-Newstaylor-co-democrats-elect-new-chairmanurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66553-733399Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/23/taylor-county-has-new-democratic-party-chair/?partner=RSSAs a Democrat in a “red area, red state,” Dason Williams realizes the tough rough ahead.myersd@reporternews.com (Doug Myers)Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66522-733399news/local-newsDoug MyersLocalTaylor County has new Democratic Party chairAbilene Reporter-Newstaylor-county-has-new-democratic-party-chairurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66522-733399Change733399Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/19/kirk-to-bring-evenhandedness-to-us-trade-post/?partner=RSS Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk said Friday that as U.S. trade representative he will seek to promote trade as a way to create American jobs as well as encourage development abroad.Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66246-733395news/nation-worldBy Jamie Stengle<br/>Associated PressLocalKirk to bring evenhandedness to U.S. trade postAbilene Reporter-Newskirk-to-bring-evenhandedness-to-us-trade-posturn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66246-733395Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/19/obama-not-bushs-3rd-term-on-foreign-policy/?partner=RSS The Wall Street Journal has been running an editorial campaign designed to convince the American public that President-elect Barack Obama's administration will constitute a third Bush term in foreign policy.Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66237-733395business/newsLocalObama not Bush's 3rd term on foreign policyAbilene Reporter-Newsobama-not-bushs-3rd-term-on-foreign-policyurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66237-733395Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/19/obama-team-congress-fleshing-out-stimulus-bill/?partner=RSS President-elect Barack Obama's team and congressional staff are scrambling to come up with details of a plan to pump up the droopy economy with $650 billion or more in government spending over the next few years.Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:21:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66225-733395news/nation-worldBy Andrew Taylor<br/>Associated PressLocalObama team, Congress fleshing out stimulus billAbilene Reporter-Newsobama-team-congress-fleshing-out-stimulus-billurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66225-733395Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/18/king-working-on-bills-involving-crime-military/?partner=RSSState Rep. Susan King hopes a pair of bills she has pre-filed for the 2009 legislative session will help in the reporting of -- and training for -- cases involving drive-by shootings.kiekec@reporternews.com (Carl Kieke)Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66207-733394news/politicsCarl KiekeLocalKing working on bills involving crime, militaryAbilene Reporter-Newsking-working-on-bills-involving-crime-militaryurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66207-733394Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/18/ex-dallas-mayor-expected-to-be-trade-nominee/?partner=RSS The negotiating skills Ron Kirk used as Dallas mayor should serve him well as U.S. trade representative.Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66183-733394news/nation-worldBy Jamie Stengle<br/>Associated PressLocalEx-Dallas mayor expected to be trade nomineeAbilene Reporter-Newsex-dallas-mayor-expected-to-be-trade-nomineeurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66183-733394Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/18/perry-voices-support-for-choose-life-plates/?partner=RSS Republican Gov. Rick Perry talked up his anti-abortion political views and voiced support Thursday for legislation to create "Choose Life" specialty license plates that would generate money for pregnant women considering adoption over abortion.Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66182-733394news/politicsBy Kelley Shannon<br/>Associated PressLocalPerry voices support for 'Choose Life' platesAbilene Reporter-Newsperry-voices-support-for-choose-life-platesurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66182-733394Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/17/obamas-plan-up-to-850-billion/?partner=RSS Anxious to jolt the economy back to life, President-elect Barack Obama appears to be zeroing in on a stimulus package of about $850 billion.Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:51:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66085-733393news/nation-worldLocalObama's plan up to $850 billionAbilene Reporter-Newsobamas-plan-up-to-850-billionurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66085-733393Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/17/many-area-officials-bullish-on-ag-secretary-pick/?partner=RSSPresident-elect Barack Obama's Democratic pick for agriculture secretary will likely be good for farmers and alternative energy in the Big Country.choatet@shns.com (Trish Choate)Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:51:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66075-733393news/local-newsTrish ChoateLocalMany area officials bullish on ag secretary pickAbilene Reporter-Newsmany-area-officials-bullish-on-ag-secretary-pickurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66075-733393Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/16/huffman-wins-runoff-for-state-senate-seat/?partner=RSS A former Harris County felony court judge won a runoff with former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell on Tuesday to fill a state Senate seat left open by a retiring Republican.Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66013-733392news/electionsAssociated PressLocalHuffman wins runoff for state Senate seatAbilene Reporter-Newshuffman-wins-runoff-for-state-senate-seaturn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-66013-733392Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/15/obama-will-take-train-to-his-inauguration/?partner=RSS President-elect Barack Obama will kick off his inaugural celebration on Jan. 17 -- the weekend before his swearing in as the country's 44th president -- by traveling on a train to the nation's capital.Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-65850-733391news/politicsAssociated PressLocalObama will take train to inaugurationAbilene Reporter-Newsobama-will-take-train-to-his-inaugurationurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-65850-733391Change733391Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/12/illinois-falls-into-turmoil/?partner=RSS Illinois plunged deeper into turmoil Friday over disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich as the attorney general asked the state's highest court to strip the governor of his powers, billions of dollars in bills went unpaid, and lawmakers moved closer to impeaching the scandal-plagued politician.Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-65665-733388news/politicsBy Deanna Bellandi<br/>and Christopher Wills<br/>Associated PressLocalIllinois falls into turmoilAbilene Reporter-Newsillinois-falls-into-turmoilurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-65665-733388Change0Usablehttp://reporternews.com/news/2008/dec/11/another-lawmaker-seeks-to-unseat-craddick/?partner=RSS The number of candidates seeking to oust Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick has grown to 11.Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:29:00 -0000urn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-65602-733387news/politicsAssociated PressLocalAnother lawmaker seeks to unseat CraddickAbilene Reporter-Newsanother-lawmaker-seeks-to-unseat-craddickurn:publicid:reporternews.com:news-Story-65602-733387Change0Usable