The economic hard times are so persistent that observers who supported the Recovery Act might be feeling twinges of guilt about President Obama's stimulus package.

Gov. Jan Brewer stumbled and stammered through her opening statement during a televised debate Wednesday night, suffering through an embarrassing, cringe-eliciting pause that lasted more than 10 seconds.

Delaware Republicans call Senate hopeful Christine O'Donnell a liar who "could not be elected dog catcher" in a fierce attack that underscores GOP fears of the tea party-backed candidate knocking off top recruit Rep. Mike Castle and winning the nomination.

The recession and how to turn around California's sky-high jobless rate loomed large Wednesday as Sen. Barbara Boxer and GOP challenger Carly Fiorina hold their first debate.

The U.S. marked on Wednesday the transition to the final phase of the Iraq war, shifting the focus of the remaining 50,000 American troops from combat operations to preparing Iraqi security forces to protect the country on their own.