If you think the presidential election revealed the nation's political rifts, consider the outcomes in state legislatures.

From California to Maine, unions used their political muscle in the recent elections to help install Democratic governors, build labor-friendly majorities in state legislatures and defeat ballot initiatives against them.

Tea party freshman Allen West is giving up his fight to remain in Congress after two weeks of recount battles in court.

A group of 97 House Republicans say U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice misled the nation about the attack on the consulate in Libya, disqualifying her as a candidate for secretary of state.

White House officials are describing as tense today's meeting in Cambodia between President Barack Obama and the country's prime minister, Hun Sen.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says the Republican Party has to start liking people if it wants to broaden its base.

It appears that Florida Republican Congressman Allen West has lost his House seat.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says the Republican Party has to start liking people if it wants to broaden its base.

The Democratic leader in the Senate is rejecting Sen. John McCain's request for a Watergate-style congressional committee to investigate the deadly Sept. 11 raid in Libya.

Tens of thousands of young illegal immigrants are taking advantage of President Barack Obama's offer to let them stay and work in the United States.

According to former CIA Director David Petraeus, classified intelligence showed that the deadly raid on the U.S. consulate in Libya was a terrorist attack. But he says the administration decided to withhold the suspected role of specific al-Qaida affiliates.

The White House says President Barack Obama had a constructive meeting with congressional leaders on the looming "fiscal cliff" that could undermine the economy and slow job creation in the new year.

The government says Medicare premiums are going up $5 a month for 2013. That's less than expected, but it'll still eat up nearly one-fourth of the typical cost-of-living raise for retirees.

Former CIA Director David Petraeus (peh-TRAY'-uhs) has arrived on Capitol Hill to field questions from lawmakers about the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya.

An Oregon woman will be the first openly lesbian lawmaker to lead a state legislative chamber in the U.S.

The jockeying for 2016 has already begun.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has agreed to appear before Congress to answer questions about the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya.

Top Republicans say Mitt Romney lost his bid to unseat President Barack Obama because he didn't offer specific policy proposals and responded too timidly to criticism.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is telling top donors that President Barack Obama won re-election because of the "gifts" he had already provided to blacks, Hispanics and young voters.

A U.S. official says the Army has suspended the security clearance of the woman who had an affair with CIA Director David Petraeus, triggering his resignation.

President Barack Obama says he will not agree to any budget deal that extends current tax rates for the wealthiest taxpayers and says their rates should rise to help raise revenue.

A think-tank with ties to the White House is looking to prevent a raid on health care programs during upcoming budget talks.

A congressional official says House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has told her party caucus she will remain as minority leader in the new session of Congress.

The White House says President Barack Obama has talked to several foreign leaders about his re-election, including Russian President Vladimir Putin (POO'-tihn) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The White House says Vice President Joe Biden has met with U2 frontman Bono to discuss global development, AIDS and efforts to fight poverty.