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Obama faces showdowns on health, Afghanistan, jobs

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will have scant time to rest up from his eight-day Asia trip. [Full Story]

Republicans blast 'bait and switch' health bill
WASHINGTON -- Digging in for a long struggle, Republican senators and governors assailed the Democrats' newly minted health care legislation Thursday as a collection of tax increases, Medicare cuts and heavy new burdens for deficit-ridden states. [full story]
Details of state dinner scarce, White House mum
WASHINGTON -- It's the hottest ticket in town. Just don't ask the White House who got them. [full story]
Reid sets markers for historic health care debate
WASHINGTON -- Setting up a historic year-end health care debate, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled long-awaited legislation Wednesday night to extend coverage to all but 6 percent of eligible Americans and bar private industry from denying insurance because of pre-existing medical conditions. [full story]
Feud not mentioned in Obama interview
NEW YORK -- Fox News Channel correspondent Major Garrett says he's a "conscientious objector" in his network's fight with the White House. He interviewed Barack Obama on Wednesday, and the topic never came up. [full story]
Byrd becomes longest-serving Congress member
WASHINGTON -- West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd has become the longest-serving lawmaker in congressional history, a milestone to be marked Wednesday with a Senate resolution. [full story]
Fox's Major Garrett gets Obama interview
NEW YORK -- President Barack Obama will give an interview to Fox News Channel's Major Garrett, perhaps signaling a thaw in relations between the network and administration. [full story]
Fort Hood slayings prompt full Pentagon review
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon will investigate its procedures in light of the Fort Hood shooting rampage, looking at how all the military services keep a watch on potential problems in their ranks, officials said Tuesday. [full story]
Gates names West, Clark to lead Fort Hood review
WASHINGTON -- Trying to avert another tragedy like the Fort Hood shootings, Defense Secretary Robert Gates named a former Army secretary and former Navy chief to review a broad range of Pentagon programs, ranging from medical and personnel policies to how well military bases are secured. [full story]
Shell denies asking for delay in drilling plan
WASHINGTON -- The president of Shell Oil Co. says the company did not ask a federal agency to delay a decision on the company's request to drill for oil and gas in Alaska's Chukchi Sea. [full story]