President Barack Obama ends his first year in office with his to-do list still long and his unfulfilled campaign promises stacked high. From winding down the war in Iraq to limiting lobbyists, Obama has made some progress. But the president has faced political reality and accepted – sometimes grudgingly – compromises that leave him exposed to criticism. Promises that have proven difficult... 

"The president has said in the past that he doesn't believe taxing health care benefits at any level is necessarily the best way to go here. He still believes that, but there are a number of formulations and we'll wait and see," explained Obama's senior advisor, David Axelrod, to George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week." Share/Save Read More →

By Jonathan Allen Funny how items show up in spending bills without any notice — like an earmark for a president who promised not to seek any. President Obama, who took a no-earmark pledge on the campaign trail, is listed as one of dozens of cosponsors of a $7.7 million set-aside in the fiscal 2009 omnibus spending bill passed by the House on Wednesday. Share/Save Read More →

By Roxana Tiron The Obama administration has waived its ethics rules to allow William Lynn to serve as the deputy secretary of Defense. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said he supports Lynn's nomination and looks “forward to prompt consideration by the Senate.” Share/Save Read More →

By Jim Geraghty All is well on the cruise — a full report and sales pitch will come when we return — but I checked my e-mail and came across this report from CQ, too good not to share immediately: Here’s some change that supporters of President-elect Obama may not want to see: all of the policy commitments on specific issues have been removed from his transition Web site. Share/Save Read More →

By Byron York  NRO – I just got off the phone with a well-connected Democrat, trying to get a better read on this Democrats-miffed-with-Obama stuff.  It's real, he said, and more serious than the mostly process concerns outlined in the Politico story.  Yes, party leaders are irritated at the Obama campaign's go-it-alone style.  "Another Democrat said that they... 

By Max Deveson BBC – Since clinching the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama has also been making headlines for his policy shifts. Share/Save Read More →