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Demonstrators, background, clash with police in Rome's Piazza del Popolo Square, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Premier Silvio Berlusconi won back-to-back votes of confidence in the Italian parliament Tuesday to survive one of the toughest tests of his political life. But he was left with a razor-thin majority that will make it hard for him to govern effectively. As lawmakers cast their votes, a violent core of anti-Berlusconi protesters outside clashed with police, smashing shop windows, setting cars on fire and hurling firecrackers, eggs and paint. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Demonstrators take cover as they face Police in Rome, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Premier Silvio Berlusconi won back-to-back votes of confidence in the Italian parliament Tuesday, but he was left with a razor-thin majority that will make it hard for him to govern effectively. In the second and most dramatic of the tests, Berlusconi survived a no-confidence motion in the lower house by just three votes. The tense session was briefly interrupted as lawmakers pushed and shoved each other, while outside parliament protesters hurling firecrackers, eggs and paint scuffled with police. Scores of anti-Berlusconi protesters marched in cities across the country to coincide with the votes. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
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Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi holds his face at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Premier Silvio Berlusconi has survived a confidence vote in the Italian Senate, but another, riskier vote follows in the lower house. Berlusconi had been expected to win the Senate vote on a motion in support of the government that had been brought by his allies. The vote Tuesday was 162-135. The showdown in parliament follows a dramatic fallout with his one-time closest ally, Gianfranco Fini. The breakup potentially deprives Berlusconi of a majority in the lower house, and that vote later Tuesday will hang on a few undecided lawmakers. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Lawmakers scuffle during a voting session at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Premier Silvio Berlusconi has survived a confidence vote in the Italian Senate, but another, riskier vote follows in the lower house. Berlusconi had been expected to win the Senate vote on a motion in support of the government that had been brought by his allies. The vote Tuesday was 162-135. The showdown in parliament follows a dramatic fallout with his one-time closest ally, Gianfranco Fini. The breakup potentially deprives Berlusconi of a majority in the lower house, and that vote later Tuesday will hang on a few undecided lawmakers. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures as Economic minister Giulio Tremonti sits beside him, at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Premier Silvio Berlusconi has survived a confidence vote in the Italian Senate, but another, riskier vote follows in the lower house. Berlusconi had been expected to win the Senate vote on a motion in support of the government that had been brought by his allies. The vote Tuesday was 162-135. The showdown in parliament follows a dramatic fallout with his one-time closest ally, Gianfranco Fini. The breakup potentially deprives Berlusconi of a majority in the lower house, and that vote later Tuesday will hang on a few undecided lawmakers. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi holds his head during a session at the Senate, in Rome, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. Mr. Berlusconi won confidence votes in chambers of parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
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IN THE RUNNING: Michael S. Steele says he'll seek another term as head of the Republican National Committee. (Associated Press)
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Maria Cino, an official in the George W. Bush administration, is among several people who have emerged as potential challengers to Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele. (Associated Press)
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"What a republic needs is leaders who are willing to look further, even if it costs them," House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, said yesterday about taking politically risky stands. (Associated Press)
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Sen. Jon Kyl, Arizona Republican, viewed as a key Senate arms-control specialist, is opposed to a hasty Senate vote on the New START treaty with Russia. (Associated Press)
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Sen. Max Baucus, Montana Democrat (left), talks Monday with Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio Democrat, before going to vote on a procedural motion on the tax cut legislation on Capitol Hill. (Associated Press)
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**FILE** Jenna Bush Hager, special contributor for the NBC "Today" television program, appears on the show in New York on Oct. 8, 2009. (Associated Press)
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"What a republic needs is leaders who are willing to look further, even if it costs them," House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, said yesterday about taking politically risky stands. (Associated Press)
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President Obama is congratulated by third-grader Luis Avilar-Turcios, 8, after signing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in the District. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut Democrat (left), and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat (second from left), also attended. (Associated Press)
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Illustration: Russian bear by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times
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Arturo Martinez speaks at a meeting with labor union and Communist Party leaders on Cuba's economic problems at the steel mill Antillana de Acero in Havana. Major free-market reforms are in the works on the island nation. (Associated Press)
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) and others look on as President Obama signs the Healthy, Hunger-Free Act of 2010 during a ceremony at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Washington's Columbia Heights neighborhood on Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) and others look on as President Obama signs the Healthy, Hunger-Free Act of 2010 during a ceremony at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Washington's Columbia Heights neighborhood on Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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President Obama shakes hands with third-grader Luis Avilar-Turcios, 8, after signing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Act of 2010 during a ceremony at the Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Washington's Columbia Heights neighborhood on Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (left), Connecticut Democrat, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, were among the dignitaries applauding the signing. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
