Politics

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Catholic priest Nguyen Van Ly, lower center, in a courtroom in Vietnam's central province of Thua Thien Hue on March 30, 2007. The U.S. government strongly protested to Vietnam after reports said a U.S. diplomat was roughed up while trying to meet with Mr. Ly on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/ Tran Van Minh, File)

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Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and his children, Emma Claire, left, Jack and Cate, far right, leave the funeral service for Elizabeth Edwards at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C., on Dec. 11, 2010. The will Elizabeth Edwards signed days before her death last month makes no mention of her estranged husband. (AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds, File)

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Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and his children, Emma Claire, left, Jack and Cate, far right, leave the funeral service for Elizabeth Edwards at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C., on Dec. 11, 2010. The will Elizabeth Edwards signed days before her death last month makes no mention of her estranged husband. (AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds, File)

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TEARS OF JOY: Mr. Boehner wipes away tears as he waits to receive that gavel from outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat. Mrs. Pelosi served two terms as the House's top member. (Associated Press)

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HAMMER TIME: Newly installed House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, displays the parliamentary gavel that he will wield in the 112th Congress, which convened Wednesday. (Associated Press)

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White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, who joined President Obama's staff when Mr. Obama was running for the U.S. Senate, announces Wednesday that he will join other high-ranking staffers leaving the presidential staff. (Associated Press)

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, is likely to vote on issues keeping in mind constituency priorities more than party ones. (Associated Press)

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, takes the Senate oath during a mock swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

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Brothers and sisters of new House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio joined him Wednesday on Capitol Hill for a family photograph that was posted on the Flickr photo-sharing website. (Office of Speaker of the House)

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Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Oregon Democrat. (Associated Press) **FILE**

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Micheal Mpubane leads a Bible study at the Progressive Primary in Johannesburg. Poor South Africans are underserved by a government that has struggled to close the gap apartheid created between white and black public schools. (Associated Press)

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Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California hands the gavel to the new House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio during the first session of the 112th Congress, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California addresses the House after giving newly elected House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio the gavel during the first session of the 112th Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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House Speaker-designate John Boehner of Ohio wipes away tears as he waits to receive the gavel from outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California during the first session of the 112th Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)