Politics

Fiscal Cliff_Reps(2).jpg

From left, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Tom Donohue, former Minnesota Gov. and GOP presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, and, Jeffrey Zients of the Office of Management and Budget, walk from the White House after a meeting with White House staff regarding the fiscal cliff, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Fiscal Cliff_Reps(1).jpg

Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio, center, departs after a House Republicans meeting on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. Confronted with a revolt among the rank and file, House Republicans abruptly put off a vote Thursday night on legislation allowing tax rates to rise for households earning $1 million and up. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

20121220-212223-pic-715396919.jpg

Former Marine Jon Hammar is shackled to his bunk in a prison in Matamoros, Mexico. The Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran (official 2003 portrait at top) was arrested at the border while trying to declare a prized heirloom gun (below) he was carrying on a surfing trip. He reportedly is no longer in chains. (Associated Press)

20121220-211411-pic-152366801.jpg

Democrat Robin Kelly speaks at a candidate presentation meeting in South Holland, Ill., on Saturday. The purpose was to nominate a candidate for the House seat vacated by Jesse L. Jackson Jr. The seat will be filled after a primary Feb. 26 and a special election April 9. (Associated Press)

20121220-211411-pic-321525312.jpg

** FILE ** This March 20, 2012 photo taken in Homewood, Ill., shows former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, Illinois Democrat. as she speaks to supporters in Homewood, Ill. Halvorson is one of many candidates in a crowded field of candidates hoping to fill former Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s congressional seat. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

20121220-203653-pic-329719209.jpg

South Korean President-elect Park Geun-Hye has promised more humanitarian aid for North Korea and deeper engagement, but Pyongyang is likely to try to dominate their relations. (Associated Press)

20121220-202748-pic-616196336.jpg

Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe is all but certain to become Japan’s next prime minister after his party’s victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election. Mr. Abe resigned as prime minister for health reasons after just a year in the job in 2007. One of his goals is to recover Japan’s economic vitality of the 1980s and ‘90s. His nationalist policies could rile China, hurting the auto industry and others with huge investments in the fast-growing Chinese market. (Associated Press)

20121220-192114-pic-911563778.jpg

Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, N.J., announced Thursday that he has ruled out a bid for New Jersey governor and is eyeing a run for U.S. Senate in 2014. His announcement alters the landscape for both races and for politics in Newark. (Associated Press)