Barack Obama takes the oath of office for president on Jan. 20, 2009. The weeks leading up to that date provide some insight into how he will govern.
Gregg withdraws as commerce secretary nominee Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
abruptly withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary Thursday,
citing "irresolvable conflicts" with President Barack Obama's
handling of the economic stimulus and 2010 census.February 12, 2009
The meaning of Obama's inauguration The nation's first Black President is inaugurated this week, and MPR listeners and special guests discuss what it means.Midday, January 19, 2009
Obama cites founding fathers, heading for capital President-elect Barack Obama, tracing the
train route Abraham Lincoln took nearly a century and a half
earlier, undertook the final leg of his inaugural journey to the
nation's capital Saturday, pledging to reclaim America's spirit but
also warning of steep challenges facing the country.January 17, 2009
How past presidents partied In some countries, political change comes in the form of coups and bloodshed. In the Untied States, the transition of power is typically marked by dinner and dancing.January 16, 2009
AG nominee declares waterboarding to be torture Attorney General-nominee Eric Holder Jr.
forcefully broke from the Bush administration's counterterrorism
policies Thursday, declaring that waterboarding is torture and
pledging to prosecute some Guantanamo Bay detainees in U.S. courts.January 15, 2009
Clinton vows smart mix of diplomacy, defense Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday that she
intends to revitalize the mission of diplomacy in American foreign policy, calling for a "smart power" strategy in the Middle East. She sailed smoothly through the morning session of her confirmation hearing to become Secretary of State.January 13, 2009
International relations expert on foreign policy challenges facing U.S. During the break in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for Sen. Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, a discussion of foreign policy challenges facing the United States of America.Midday, January 13, 2009
Franken to attend Obama inauguration Al Franken is traveling to Washington,
D.C., later this month - but not for the reason you might think.January 10, 2009
Obama seeks new 'foundation' for economic growth President-elect Barack Obama today spelled out
the key elements of an "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" that he is touting to treat a sick economy.January 8, 2009
Obama to outline his plans for economic recovery Live coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's address on the economy. Obama will be delivering the speech at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.Midmorning, January 8, 2009
Obama, Congress weigh options on the economy Economists are torn about what kind of spending or tax cuts will have meaningful results for economic recovery. Two economists evaluate Obama's economic stimulus plan and weigh the concern for record deficit spending.Midmorning, January 7, 2009
Obama hails 'extraordinary gathering' President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare
Oval Office gathering of all U.S. presidents as an extraordinary event on Wednesday. The presidents and Obama were having lunch in a private dining room off the Oval Office, where no one else was expected to join them.January 7, 2009
Tax cuts in Obama's economic plan? President-elect Barack Obama is expected to reveal more of his ideas for helping the economy through the recession. Live coverage from NPR.Midmorning, January 6, 2009
Dem aide: Obama supports $300M tax cut plan President-elect Barack Obama, commencing face
to face consultations with congressional leaders Monday, is embracing an unexpectedly large tax cut of up to $300 billion. Obama said the country faces an "extraordinary economic challenge."January 5, 2009
Richardson withdraws bid to be commerce secretary New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday
announced that he was withdrawing his nomination to be
President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary amid a grand jury
investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative
state contract.January 4, 2009