Campaign for America's Future

(Reuters) - As state and federal officials near a deal with top banks to settle claims of foreclosure abuses, left-leaning activist groups have stepped up pressure on the officials to reach a deal that demands more from the banks.

Progressive leaders upset with White House, complain that Democrats are timid, compromise. Progressive activists who helped elect Barack Obama president complained on Monday that the administration and congressional Democrats have been too timid and too willing to compromise.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nineteen months after celebrating President Barack Obama's historic election win, disappointed liberal activists promised on Monday to turn up the political heat on a White House they said is too quick to compromise.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Wall Street banks and allied interest groups have spent $600 million and hired 243 political insiders to represent their interests before Congress and U.S. policymakers since early 2008, a study said on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Advocacy groups for the elderly are gearing up for battle over U.S. Social Security, concerned that the administration's efforts to tackle budget deficits could result in big cuts to the retirement program.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. deficit woes are not as dire as the fiscal problems of Greece and other nations, but a quick, credible action plan is still needed to avoid a future crisis, economists and policymakers said on Wednesday.

Senators throw cold water on Bernanke on same day he wins Time magazine honor. Time's Person of the Year one moment; object of Senate scorn the other.

EDITOR'S NOTE ? An occasional look at assertions by government officials and how well they adhere to the facts.

FACT CHECK: Obama says insurance mandate is not a tax, but legislation says otherwise. Memo to President Barack Obama: It's a tax.

FACT CHECK: Obama says insurance mandate is not a tax, but legislation says otherwise. Memo to President Barack Obama: It's a tax. Obama insisted this weekend on national television that requiring people to carry health insurance ? and fining them if they don't ? isn't the same thing as a tax increase. But the language of Democratic bills to revamp the nation's health care system doesn't quibble. Both the House bill and the Senate Finance Committee proposal clearly state that the fines would be a tax.

Liberals and conservatives, at odds over health care, are competing to use the legacy of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to further their goals.

Left presses for liberal health bill in Kennedy's memory; GOP sees compromise as his legacy. Liberals and conservatives, at odds over health care, are competing to use the legacy of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to further their goals.

A key House liberal suggested Thursday that party moderates who've pushed for changes in health care legislation are "brain dead" and out for insurance company campaign donations.

Leading House liberal, health care negotiator slams party moderates, who defend their role. A key House liberal suggested Thursday that party moderates who've pushed for changes in health care legislation are "brain dead" and out for insurance company campaign donations.

No match for the man: Kennedy's political and legislative legacy has few heirs. In the halls of liberalism, it's hard to imagine anyone filling such a void. Sen. Edward Kennedy was the thundering partisan, the unapologetic liberal leader, the master legislative dealmaker and tactician. He was also flawed, haunted by tragedy, yet a portrait in charm and Irish bonhomie.

Health Care: As the president flips, then flops, on his government-run option, the words of leftist activists come back to haunt them. A "public option" was always a Trojan horse for socialized medicine.

Health Care: As the president flips, then flops, on his government-run option, the words of leftist activists come back to haunt them. A "public option" was always a Trojan horse for socialized medicine.

A coalition of US progressive groups unveiled Monday a 82-million-dollar campaign to boost President Barack Obama's plans to overhaul the ailing healthcare system.

New conservative Dems helped add to their party's majorities, but now are bucking leadership. Freshman Rep. Bobby Bright won his seat in Congress by convincing conservative southeast Alabama voters that he wasn't a typical Democrat. Barely a week into his Washington career, he showed that he meant it.

As Hillary Clinton struggles to catch up with Sen. Barack Obama, she faces a problem just as daunting as fickle voters: a revolt among the elites in the Democratic party and its allies.