Norm Coleman

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The election of a Republican U.S. senator from Massachusetts on Tuesday to replace the late Edward Kennedy, a Democrat, puts U.S. President Barack Obama's ambitious agenda at increased risk.

Ex-Sen. Coleman says his family voted 3-1 against him running for Minn. governor. Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman says his family voted 3-1 against him running for governor, so he will not join the race.

Bitter recount, loss to former 'SNL' comic Al Franken sours ex-Minn. senator to governor's bid. Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman says it's too soon to jump back into politics after his bruising loss to former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Al Franken.

JANUARY

Gov't gives $100K reward to 2nd tipster in Moussaoui case; far smaller than 1st $5M award. A Minnesota man whose tip helped the FBI catch Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui has finally received a $100,000 reward, while another man credited as a tipster still has received nothing.

FEC dismisses complaint against former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman. The Federal Election Commission has dismissed a complaint filed against Norm Coleman, his Senate campaign and a former campaign treasurer.

The secretary of the US Senate yesterday officially instructed aides to Edward M. Kennedy that they had to halt work on hundreds of requests from Massachusetts constituents and instead focus on shutting down the Senate office. The order, which is mandated by law and was anticipated by Kennedy's Senate aides, not only leaves state residents in the lurch when they are seeking help, but it adds a potential wrinkle to the push on Beacon Hill for an interim senator to sit until January, when a special election is scheduled to be held. Although most of the debate about the interim measure has centered on helping Democrats in Washington secure a 60-vote majority for an expected vote on health care, the shutdown of Kennedy's offices on Capitol Hill and around Massachusetts illustrates problems that hit closer to home. Massachusetts House and Senate lawmakers have scheduled hearings on the topic for next week, but it remains unclear whether the measure has the support from legislative leaders o

The Las Vegas Sun has been named one of 10 U.S. newspapers that do it right by the media trade journal Editor & Publisher.

Al Franken has immersed himself in the health care debate. He's had a chance to question Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. He's signed on as a co-sponsor of a half dozen bills.

Minnesota's Pawlenty: GOP must lure independents, Democrats to rebuild party in Obama era. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday urged fellow Republicans to welcome outsiders into the party ranks, not scorn them, as the GOP rebuilds from defeats that left the White House and Congress in Democratic hands.

Minnesota's Pawlenty: GOP must lure conservative Democrats, others to build party clout. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says Republicans should reach out to conservative Democrats and independents to rebuild the party's clout in the era of Barack Obama.

With Democrats in charge in Washington, Republicans look toward future at GOP conclave. With Congress and the White House in Democratic hands, Republican Party leaders meeting in San Diego hope to map plans for a rebound that will repair the party's tarnished brand, lure back big-dollar contributors and increase voter registration from coast to coast.

At the Sotomayor hearing, lawmakers find an intent listener for their praise and criticism. Sonia Sotomayor was a mostly wordless figure in the opening act of her Senate confirmation hearing Monday, but no less striking for her silence.

Scorecard needed to tell the players as senators consider Sotomayor's high court nomination. Live from the Capitol, Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings promise high political theater this week, beamed to the world in dramatic, historic, perhaps comedic glory.

Scorecard needed to tell the players as senators consider Sotomayor's high court nomination. Live from the Capitol, Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings promise high political theater this week, beamed to the world in dramatic, historic, perhaps comedic glory.

If John Ensign were still the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, trying to preserve GOP seats, what might he say about scandal-ridden John Ensign?

Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad:

Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials in Newspapers in the US and Abroad.. Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats achieved their biggest majority in the U.S. Senate in decades on Tuesday as Al Franken of Minnesota finally took his seat -- but President Barack Obama will still have to fight hard to muster the votes to pass healthcare reform and other major initiatives.

Democrats treat Franken as a trophy, reward him with a bit part in Sotomayor drama. Turns out that not-funny senator bit was an act.