Politics

20090206-192513-pic-42307332.jpg

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (right) and European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso are seen at a joint news conference after their talks in Moscow Friday. (Associated Press)

LAUNCH.jpg

** FILE ** This photo released by the Fars News Agency claims to show an Iranian satellite launching rocket named "Safir-2," translated in English as "Ambassador-2," carrying the satellite "Omid," or "Hope" in English, photographed at launch at an undisclosed location on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. Iran has successfully sent its first domestically made satellite into orbit, the country's president announced Tuesday, claiming a significant step in an ambitious space program that has worried many international observers.

20090129-211609-pic-276289195.jpg

President Obama walks with Lilly Ledbetter to the East Room of the White House where he signed the equal-pay bill into law in the presence of lawmakers, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Photograph by Katie Falkenberg/The Washington Times)

20090129-231020-pic-427704081.jpg

In this 2009 photo, President Obama walks with Lilly Ledbetter to the East Room of the White House where he signed the equal-pay bill into law. (The Washington Times)

MIDEAST_ISRAEL_PALEST_Kwed.jpg

** FILE ** Israeli soldiers are seen in a staging area near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009. (Associated Press)

20090126-203517-pic-294659012.jpg

David M. Walker, president and chief executive officer of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, says proposed legislation doesn't meet the standards for stimulus spending. (Barbara l. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20090124-140940-pic-382116304.jpg

John Adams, the first to hold the job, dismissed the vice presidency as "the most insignificant office" ever invented. Mather Brown's oil painting of Adams was finished in 1788, while the future vice president was serving as a diplomat.

20090121-202917-pic-567740298.jpg

President Obama, with his wife, Michelle, and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. with his wife, Jill, participate in the multidenominational prayer service. About two dozen clergy offered prayers, reflections, readings and traditional American hymns.

20090121-232956-pic-146461889.jpg

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES Associate Judge Kathleen Oberly swears in Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state Wednesday with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, on hand. Mrs. Clinton, who has been the junior senator from New York, won Senate confirmation in a 94-2 vote.

20090121-202305-pic-937383585.jpg

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images A woman reading a newspaper on Wednesday in Beijing will not find President Obama's entire speech; the state news agency cut a reference to facing down "fascism and communism."

web_party003.JPG

Two Navy officers chat in a corner of the National Building Museum, which hosted the Commander-in-Chief's Ball on Tuesday. The Commander-in-Chief's Ball honors men and women in the military. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

WEB_SWEARING_IN_002_01201218.jpg

**FILE** Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America by Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts Jr. at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2009. (J.M. Eddins Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMAWALK.jpg

** FILE ** Then President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, leave St. John's Church on Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, 2009. Following the service at St. John's, the Obamas went to the White House to meet with President Bush and his wife before heading to the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration.

20090120-190510-pic-629578915.jpg

** FILE ** Barack Obama takes the oath of office, becoming the 44th president of the United States and the first black person to hold the position on Jan. 20, 2009. He is joined on the Capitol steps by wife Michelle and daughters Malia (second from right) and Sasha. He was sworn in using the Bible from Abraham Lincoln's first inauguration, in 1861. (J.M. Eddins Jr./The Washington Times)

CM-012009FRANC.jpg

This artwork by Paul Tong relates to Barack Obama's inauguration.

Britain_Royal_Bank_of_Kwed.jpg

A branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland is seen in London on Jan. 19, 2009. (Associated Press) **FILE**

20090119-172607-pic-883394858.jpg

Charlie Brotman, shown here in a file photo surrounded by memorabilia in his basement in Takoma Park, was the president's announcer at the inaugural parade since 1957 and was the play-by-play announcer at annual T-ball games at the White House. (Associated Press)