Toyota seeks damage control, in public and private
WASHINGTON (AP) — In public, Toyota is running apologetic TV ads and vowing to win back customers' trust. Behind the scenes, the besieged carmaker is trying to learn all it can about congressional investigations, maybe even steer them if it can. It's part of an all-out drive by the world's biggest auto manufacturer to redeem its once unassailable brand — hit anew on Tuesday as Toyota's global recall ballooned to 8.5 million cars and trucks. The day's safety recall of 440,000 of its flagship Prius and other hybrids, plus a Tokyo news conference where the company's president read a statement in English pledging to "regain the confidence of our customers," underscored a determination to keep buyers' faith from sinking to unrecoverable depths.
Lawmaker's death a reminder of surgery risks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gallbladder surgery is usually a very safe operation, but a powerful congressman's death is a reminder of the known risks. Well over half a million people have their gallbladders removed annually, most of them minimally invasively just as the late Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa.
Despite all the nice talk, partisanship reigns
WASHINGTON (AP) — Partisanship is reaching new heights in Washington, even as President Barack Obama makes almost daily pleas to get along. He's scheduled a bipartisan health care summit, and just Tuesday he hosted GOP leaders at the White House for the first time in two months.
Murtha's death sets stage for marquee House race
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Democrats have long dominated the late Rep. John Murtha's district in western Pennsylvania, but Republicans have made inroads in recent years that could help them win back the seat — and some longtime Murtha supporters say they're open to voting for a GOP candidate. Rose Marie Favina, 69, described herself a Democrat who supported Murtha and particularly liked what she called his "pro-life" views. Now she's considering switching to the GOP and plans to vote for the best candidate for Murtha's seat, whatever the party.
Obama speaks hopefully of movement on jobs bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says he doesn't think it's necessary to get an ideal jobs package out of Congress, but that passing something quickly could build momentum toward greater achievements. Obama told reporters Tuesday he thinks Democrats and Republicans agree on a number of elements in a jobs bill, including eliminating capital gains for small businesses and finding ways to help community banks lend to smaller firms.
GOP blocks Obama labor board nominee
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats on Tuesday failed to push through President Barack Obama's choice of a union lawyer to serve on the National Labor Relations Board after two of their own joined Republicans to block the nomination. By a 52-33 vote, Democrats fell far short of the 60 needed to overcome a GOP filibuster of the nomination of Craig Becker.
Obama says US developing new sanctions for Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Tuesday that Iran remains on an "unacceptable" path to nuclear weapons, despite its denials, and that the U.S. and like-minded countries will soon produce a set of punishing sanctions against the Islamic republic. Obama and other administration officials expressed disappointment in Iran's latest move, a declaration that it will enrich uranium to a level that puts it on course to producing nuclear material that could be used to build a nuclear bomb. Yet Obama acknowledged that it remains unclear whether he can win sufficient support in the U.N. for tougher sanctions.
Cribs recalled after 3 deaths
WASHINGTON (AP) — Government safety officials Tuesday announced a recall of more than 500,000 drop-side cribs sold at Buy Buy Baby, Kmart, Wal-Mart and other stores after the death of three infants. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says plastic hardware on Generation 2 Worldwide and ChildESIGNS cribs can break and allow the drop side to detach. In addition, the mattress supports can break away from the crib frames. Both defects create gaps where a small child can be trapped and suffocate or strangle.
White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even the White House's top spokesman is getting in on the act of mocking former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin for looking to talking points written on her palm during a speech to "tea party" activists. Robert Gibbs showed the words "hope" and "change" on his hand as he started his daily briefing with reporters on Tuesday.
White House hastens concert to beat snow
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing another wintry wallop, the White House decided to move a concert celebrating civil rights music from Wednesday to Tuesday night to beat what could be a second crippling storm in a week. The White House announced that Wednesday's concert would be performed on Tuesday because of storm threatening to dump another heavy load of snow on the nation's capital, where the federal government has been shut down for days. President Barack Obama planned remarks, and first lady Michelle Obama was also set to attend the event, which transformed the formal East Room into a concert-style stage.
