National Politics

Politics AP: US economy could handle short fall over 'cliff'

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER AP Economics Writer Published: Dec 26, 2012 at 8:13 AM PDT Last Updated: Dec 26, 2012 at 12:15 PM PDT

The economic threat that's kept many Americans on edge for months is nearing reality - unless the White House and Republicans cut a budget deal by New Year's Day.

Politics Senators fear that country may go over 'fiscal cliff'

By Associated Press Published: Dec 23, 2012 at 11:06 AM PDT Last Updated: Dec 23, 2012 at 12:58 PM PDT

Senators bickered Sunday over who's to blame for lurching the country toward a year-end "fiscal cliff," bemoaning the lack of a deal days before the deadline but bridging no differences in the debate.

Politics Will cigarette makers jump into pot market?

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press Published: Dec 19, 2012 at 3:36 PM PDT Last Updated: Dec 19, 2012 at 3:36 PM PDT

Will the Marlboro Man light up a joint soon? The states of Washington and Colorado legalized possession of small amounts of marijuana in the November elections, but it is unclear if any cigarette makers plan to supply either market.

Politics President says he won't go after Washington over legalized pot

By Associated Press and KOMO News Staff Published: Dec 14, 2012 at 8:52 AM PDT Last Updated: Dec 14, 2012 at 5:32 PM PDT

President Barack Obama says he won't go after Washington state and Colorado for legalizing marijuana.

Politics Susan Rice withdraws as secretary of state candidate

By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Published: Dec 13, 2012 at 2:34 PM PDT Last Updated: Dec 13, 2012 at 6:56 PM PDT

Susan Rice, the embattled U.N. ambassador, abruptly withdrew from consideration to be the next secretary of state on Thursday after a bitter, weekslong standoff with Republican senators who declared they would vigorously fight her nomination.

Politics UN official calls for marijuana ballot rollback

By Associated Press Published: Nov 20, 2012 at 3:19 PM PDT Last Updated: Nov 20, 2012 at 3:47 PM PDT

The head of the U.N. drug watchdog agency is urging U.S. federal officials to challenge ballot measures in Colorado and Washington that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and over.

Politics Sen. Murray, Dems: Perhaps drive over 'fiscal cliff,' then bargain

By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Published: Nov 13, 2012 at 5:40 PM PDT Last Updated: Nov 13, 2012 at 5:40 PM PDT

Some Democrats, including Washington Senator Patty Murray, are pushing an unorthodox idea for coping with the "fiscal cliff": Let the government go over, temporarily at least, to give their party more bargaining leverage for changes later on.

Politics Gregoire awaits federal decision on state's new pot laws

By CHRIS GRYGIEL Associated Press Published: Nov 13, 2012 at 4:39 PM PDT Last Updated: Nov 13, 2012 at 6:38 PM PDT

Gov. Chris Gregoire said Tuesday the federal government still hasn't decided whether to take action to block new laws legalizing marijuana in her state and Colorado.

Politics Washington pot vote makes waves with Latin America leaders

By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO, Associated Press Published: Nov 12, 2012 at 1:43 PM PDT Last Updated: Nov 12, 2012 at 3:17 PM PDT

Two U.S. state decisions to legalize marijuana will have important implications for international efforts to quash drug smuggling, four Latin American leaders declared on Monday.

Politics Obama: Americans agree with my approach on deficit (Video)

By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Published: Nov 9, 2012 at 11:38 AM PDT Last Updated: Nov 9, 2012 at 5:34 PM PDT

President Barack Obama, laying down his marker for grueling budget and tax negotiations, said Friday he won't accept any approach to deficit reduction that doesn't ask the wealthy to pay more in taxes.

Politics With second term, Obama now facing new urgent task (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By NANCY BENAC Associated Press Published: Nov 7, 2012 at 8:30 AM PDT Last Updated: Nov 7, 2012 at 1:59 PM PDT

President Barack Obama faces a new urgent task now that he has a second term, working with a status-quo Congress to address an impending financial crisis that economists say could send the country back into recession.

Politics Photos: People around the world celebrate Obama's victory (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: Nov 7, 2012 at 10:54 AM PDT Last Updated: Nov 7, 2012 at 12:33 PM PDT

Scenes from the around the globe as people watched the U.S. presidential election.

Politics Race tight as election night count goes to wire (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By DAVID ESPO AP Special Correspondent Published: Nov 6, 2012 at 4:29 PM PDT Last Updated: Nov 6, 2012 at 6:56 PM PDT

President Barack Obama won the reliably Democratic Northeast, and Republican Mitt Romney secured his conservative base Tuesday night in a duel for the White House shadowed by a weak economy and high unemployment.

Politics Suspense to the end, Obama, Romney yield to voters (Video)

By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press Published: Nov 6, 2012 at 8:04 AM PDT Last Updated: Nov 6, 2012 at 2:24 PM PDT

Two fierce competitors who've given their all, President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney now yield center stage to voters Tuesday for an Election Day choice that will frame the contours of government and the nation for years to come.

Politics US Sen. Cantwell expected to win re-election

By MANUEL VALDES, Associated Press Published: Nov 5, 2012 at 6:46 PM PDT Last Updated: Nov 5, 2012 at 6:46 PM PDT

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell is likely to clinch her third term in the U.S. Senate, while the race for one of Washington's redrawn congressional districts remains a toss-up.