Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP

Carmakers' bailout pleas hit Senate skepticism
WASHINGTON -- Desperate U.S. automakers ran into fresh obstacles from skeptical lawmakers Thursday as they appealed with rising urgency - and a new dose of humility - for a $34 billion bailout. Without help, said one senator, "we're looking at a death sentence." (Updated 8:27 p.m. PT)

Democrats: Obama needs hands-on economic approach
WASHINGTON -- Democrats are growing impatient with President-elect Barack Obama's refusal to inject himself in the major economic crises confronting the country. Obama has sidestepped some policy questions by saying there is only one president at a time. But the dodge is wearing thin. "He's going to have to be more assertive than he's been," House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., told consumer advocates Thursday. (Updated 8:14 p.m. PT)

US mulls unusual tactic as Blackwater charges loom
WASHINGTON -- Blackwater Worldwide guards involved in the deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting of Iraqi civilians could face mandatory 30-year prison sentences under an aggressive anti-drug law being considered as the Justice Department readies indictments, people close to the case said. (Updated 7:56 p.m. PT)

Obama's donor list asked to help pay Clinton debt
NEW YORK -- President-elect Barack Obama's vast list of donors is being asked to donate to Hillary Rodham Clinton as she scrambles to reduce her massive campaign debt before she becomes secretary of state and federal ethics rule limit her fundraising, an Obama adviser said Thursday night. (Updated 7:34 p.m. PT)

For last time, Bush presides over tree lighting
WASHINGTON -- For the final time as president, George W. Bush led the countdown Thursday night to lighting the nearly 42-foot Christmas tree that overlooks the White House. (Updated 7:06 p.m. PT)

Obama thanks Illinois fundraisers
CHICAGO -- President-elect Barack Obama thanked his Illinois finance committee on Thursday night for helping him win the election, telling them it was not the end of their work but the beginning. (Updated 6:32 p.m. PT)

Fla. rep. 'flabbergasted' Obama call wasn't prank
MIAMI -- First she hung up on President-elect Barack Obama - twice. Now Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is fielding calls from angry constituents who think she did it on purpose. (Updated 5:52 p.m. PT)

Government to post huge deficit under CBO estimate
WASHINGTON -- Payments from the Wall Street bailout fund and slumping tax revenues will ensure a record federal budget deficit, based on congressional estimates released on Thursday. (Updated 5:32 p.m. PT)

President, first lady buying home in Dallas
DALLAS -- President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush have bought a home among business leaders and prominent Republican donors in an affluent North Dallas neighborhood, where they will live after the president leaves office in January. (Updated 5:04 p.m. PT)

Auto hearing: Reality TV without the laughs
WASHINGTON -- Big men drove small cars on a road trip to Washington to beg for billions and billions of taxpayers' dollars. They rotated driving duties, ate at Quiznos, and - presumably - used public restrooms like the rest of us. (Updated 4:10 p.m. PT)

Additional headlines:
- Bush thanks Iraqi leaders for security pact help
- Bush: Marriage has gotten better in White House
- Bush rule limits Congress on drilling, mining
- Source: Obama, Becerra meet on trade job
- Name by name, Obama's Cabinet taking shape
- Va. man invites disadvantaged to inauguration
- National Mall will be open for Obama inauguration
- More problems for major post-9/11 security program
- Rice satisfied with Pakistan's anti-terror stance
- Congressional analysts: Auto aid plan falls short
- Senate may approve IG for bailout plan next week
- Alito jabs at Biden over long-ago plagiarism
- CEOs drive to DC for hearings; Questions persist
- US targets sanctions at accused German terrorists
- Polluters to spend record sum to fix violations
- Potential Obama pick visits Education Department
- Dodd endorses financial assistance for automakers
- Kansas picked for biodefense lab
- Group says estate tax affects few, should be kept
- Rice satisfied with Pakistan's anti-terror stance
- Government recommends Kansas for biodefense lab

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2008
- Obama is delivering diversity, but some seek more
- Obama legal team meets with anti-torture generals
- House lawyers: Renzi prosecution unconstitutional
- Homeland chief advises successor not to reorganize
- Experimental cotton unlikely to pose feed hazard
- Obama savors easy pace before the storm
- Possible Obama pick linked to clemency uproar
- Lawsuit: US responsible for man's UAE imprisonment
- Greenhouse gas emissions increase in US
- Obama names Gov. Richardson to head Commerce
- Former British leader urges push for Mideast peace
- Bush signs off on commemorative civil rights coin
- Obama: Financial bailout must help homeowners, too
- Insurers like Obama health plan, with reservations
- It looks a lot like Christmas past at White House
- Chrysler exec: failure could spark depression
- Obama: Financial bailout must help homeowners, too
- Smoker's widow seeks $79.5M award at Supreme Court
- Mukasey holds first news conference since collapse
- GM exec: bankruptcy not an option for industry
- Obama reserves judgment on automakers' plans
- California Democrat considered for trade job
- Auditors fault Treasury policing of bailout funds
- Rice demands Pakistan help in probe of attacks
- California Democrat considered for trade job
- Gates: Military looks to accelerate Iraq pullout
- Besieged: Nixon saw enemies all around him
- Insight: Nixon staffer memos

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2008
- US official: India attack may have Pakistani roots
- Nixon records show aides dishing dirt on critics
- Divorce rate increases in Marine Corps, Army
- Ex-Oregon governor doubts he'll get Cabinet job
- Ex-Oregon governor doubts he'll get Cabinet job
- US official: India attack may have Pakistani roots
- Bush touts program mentoring prisoners' children
- EPA backs rule easing mining waste disposal
- Little girl's claims at issue in high court case
- GM says it needs $12 billion loans by late March
- Officials: Obama to tap Richardson for Commerce
- White House nixes tree ornament for impeachment
- Court urged to side with power plants against fish
- Richardson longed to return to DC, federal posts
- Officials: Richardson to get Commerce nomination
- Correction: Bio attack likely in next 5 years
- FACT CHECK: Michelle Obama won't get pricey ring
- Mayor: Auto companies can't be allowed to collapse
- Court urged to side with power plants against fish
- Obama seeks to assure nervous governors on economy
- Cox Newspapers to close Washington bureau
- Rules target medically unfit truck, bus drivers
- Banned from inauguration: strollers, umbrellas
- Justices chide California-based appeals court
- Rove: Obama security team represents continuity
- Panel: Bio attack likely in next 5 years
- Obama AG pick defended Guantanamo policy
- Clinton's India ties may complicate Obama policy
- Tapes, records from Nixon years to be made public
- Defense secretary says nuclear gaffes unacceptable

MONDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2008
- Bush sorry economic crisis has cut jobs, 401 (k)s
- Obama's cabinet picks shake up NY, AZ politics
- Bush uses final 50 days in office to tout legacy
- Obama from change agent to pragmatist
- Clinton nomination comes after serious courtship
- Governors press for stimulus bill by Inauguration
- National security adviser seeks to forge consensus
- Economy likely to move up Medicare's insolvency
- Obama expresses sympathy over Mumbai attack
- Rep. Lowey not interested in Clinton's Senate seat
- Rice says she won't give Clinton too much advice
- Hillary Clinton joins Obama's team of rivals
- Trusted Obama adviser Susan Rice to be UN envoy
- Economy likely to move up Medicare's insolvency
- High court turns down pipeline company appeal
- Rice on terror: All victims are in this together
- Obama picks Gates for continuity at Pentagon
- Bush lauds progress in global fight against AIDS
- Summary of actions Monday by the Supreme Court
- Bush: 'I'm sorry' the economic crisis is occurring
- Obama still looks for Iraq pullout in 16 months
- Jones named as national security adviser
- Obama says he's willing to hear a variety of ideas
- Obama chooses Susan Rice for UN
- Some vindication for sick vets, but little relief
- US envoy in North Korea talks heading to Asia
- Rice on terror: All victims are in this together
- High court declines pathologist Wecht's appeal

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2008
- Susan Rice biography
- Janet Napolitano biography
- Robert Gates biography
- Hillary Rodham Clinton biography
- James Jones biography
- Eric Holder biography
- Biden picks key staff for vice president's office
- Laura Bush says she will mostly 'miss the people'
- It's a Fraser fir for White House Christmas tree
- Officials: Obama set to introduce Clinton Monday
- Autoworker chief pleads for government aid
- Iraqi doctors come to US for training, fellowship
- Bases brace for surge in stress-related disorders

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2008
- Obama team repackaging Clinton after campaign digs
- Bush's statement on shootings in India
- Bush pledges full American support as India investigates attacks
- FDA sets melamine standard for baby formula
- Justice Stevens shows no signs he is ready to quit
- Ages of Supreme Court justices and recent retirees
- A president named Obama changes the name game

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2008
- Iowa cafe swamped with orders for 'Obama cookie'
- Obama attends funeral for friend's family member
- Obama adviser once critical of Clinton is back
- US urges end to airport takeovers in Thailand
- Bush saddened by Americans killed in India attacks
- US urges an end to airport takeovers in Thailand
- Bush facing flood of pardon requests
- Defining the job has challenged first ladies