John Spratt

Sen. Graham: Game plan on project to deepen Charleston Harbor needed by spring. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Friday a plan for deepening the Charleston Harbor must be worked out by spring, or the state's economy will face devastation.

Obama commission's debt-reduction plan fails to gain enough support to advance to Congress. President Barack Obama's deficit commission failed Friday to forge consensus on what to do about an increasingly urgent debt problem, but the breakdown of its vote lays out the road map for how Congress might address it next year.

How deficit commission voted on co-chairs proposal. How the 18 members of President Barack Obama's deficit commission voted on a mix of spending cuts and tax increases. The 11-7 vote in favor of recommendations by the panel's co-chairmen fell short of the 14 needed to send the plan to Congress.

President Barack Obama's budget deficit commission failed to garner enough support Friday to prompt quick congressional action on its austere spending blueprint.

Democratic Leader Durbin says he'll vote for deficit-commission plan, despite qualms over cuts. One of President Barack Obama's closest allies in the Senate says he will vote for the plan even though he has major qualms about its painful spending cuts.

Deficit panel's package of spending cuts, tax increases draws challenges from both parties. A painful package of spending cuts and tax increases drew sharp challenges from both the left and right on President Barack Obama's deficit commission Wednesday, putting approval in doubt. However, both parties' Senate budget point men embraced the plan, and even opponents called it a starting point for efforts next year to control the nation's ballooning debt.

A painful package of spending cuts and tax increases drew sharp challenges from both the left and right on President Barack Obama's deficit commission Wednesday, putting approval in doubt. However, both parties' Senate budget point men embraced the plan, and even opponents called it a starting point for efforts next year to control the nation's ballooning debt.

A painful package of spending cuts and tax increases drew sharp challenges from both the left and right on President Barack Obama's deficit commission Wednesday, putting approval in doubt. However, both parties' Senate budget point men embraced the plan, and even opponents called it a starting point for efforts next year to control the nation's ballooning debt.

Defeat of powerful incumbents causes concern in some communities losing congressional clout. There was a tinge of apprehension behind some of the smiles at the ribbon-cutting for the Liberty Lodge. And underneath the updates about a new public swimming pool and potential bus service, there was an unspoken uncertainty among some at the local chamber luncheon.

Long-endangered, white Southern Democrats closer to extinction after Tuesday's election. The white Southern Democrat ? endangered since the 1960s civil rights era ? is sliding nearer to extinction.

Democrats lose some of their most powerful members as voters express discontent. Some of the Democratic Party's heaviest hitters went down in the House on Tuesday, a sign of the breadth and scope of voter discontent with incumbents regardless of their clout or the perks they brought home to constituents.

Republicans make historic gains to seize House majority in strong rebuke to Democrats. Republicans rolled up historic gains to seize control of the House on Tuesday, as voters disenchanted with the economy, President Barack Obama and government dealt a strong rebuke to Democrats in every corner of the country.

A state-by-state glance at Tuesday's election. A look at key races in the 50 states:

SC ousts House budget chairman Rep. John Spratt after nearly 30 years in office. The House budget committee chairman and South Carolina's longest serving congressman was ousted Tuesday from the seat he held for nearly three decades following a campaign that painted him as an out-of-touch lackey of Washington Democrats.

Skelton, Spratt, Kanjorski among Democrats who couldn't retain House seats. Some prominent names are on the list of veteran House Democrats who've lost their re-election bids.

Democrats lose some of their most powerful members as voters express discontent. Some of the Democratic Party's heaviest hitters went down in the House on Tuesday, a sign of the breadth and scope of voter discontent with incumbents regardless of their clout or the perks they brought home to constituents.

Boehner says Obama should 'change course' after GOP House victories. The man who's likely to be the next House speaker, John Boehner (BAY'-nur), says he'll be looking for President Barack Obama to "change course" and "respect the will of the people."

How big a GOP victory? There'll be plenty of early clues for Tuesday night election watchers. How early will America know if it's a Republican romp or if Democrats somehow minimized their damage? There should be plenty of clues Tuesday evening ? and long before bedtime. Final results in some states might not be known for days. But trends could be evident from the Midwest and South ? especially from Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia ? even before most of the nation has finished dinner.

Republicans seize control of the House and come close to parity in the Senate as voters send Obama a blunt message. . Republicans seize control of the House and come close to parity in the Senate as voters send Obama a blunt message.

Bad economy and grass-roots anger toward govt are helping GOP get a grip on House. Republicans are positioned to wrest control of the House in this week's elections, the wind at their backs as they reach to capture the 40 seats they need to claim the majority ? and potentially many more.