Sean Lengell

Path to racial unity divides

Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, while agreeing that quotas and government assistance alone won't solve lingering racial inequities in the country, would take far different paths to combat race-based discrimination if elected president. Published October 29, 2008

Stevens’ re-election bid made more difficult

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, was expected to be in the tightest re-election battle of his life even before his Monday conviction in federal court for concealing gifts from an oil-service company. Published October 28, 2008

Democratic wave washing over House

Tight races are becoming the norm for Republican House incumbents as they scramble to combat a building Democratic momentum, the fallout from a faltering economy and campaign missteps. Published October 28, 2008

Administration urges patience on bailout

A day after dropping its opposition to a second stimulus bill, the White House said its $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan should be given time to work before more government intervention to jump-start the economy is tried. Published October 22, 2008

Fed to buy short-term debt

The Federal Reserve said Tuesday it will start buying short term debt notes from companies in its latest effort to loosen the credit logjam that has hobbled lending and threatens to plunge the country into a deep recession. Published October 21, 2008

White House cools on 2nd stimulus plan

The White House on Tuesday tempered its enthusiasm for more government intervention to jump-start the slumping economy, saying it prefers to let its initial $700 billion plan work its course before a new program is implemented. Published October 21, 2008

Dow up 413 on Bernanke’s call for stimulus

Wall Street surged higher Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average soaring 413 points after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke called for a second federal economic stimulus package and the White House voiced support for the idea. Published October 21, 2008

Wall Street bailout puts Chambliss on the block

Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia was considered such a re-election shoo-in for most of 2008 that he mostly ignored attacks by his Democratic challenger, until two weeks ago. Published October 21, 2008

Markets end strong as Bernanke urges second stimulus

UPDATE: Trading on Wall Street surged Monday, as the Dow Jones shot up 413 points after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke called for an additional federal economic stimulus package. Published October 20, 2008

Bush to host financial summit

President Bush on Saturday said he will host a summit of world leaders in the near future to address the global financial turmoil and discuss ways to prevent a future crisis. Published October 19, 2008

Voter ire threatens GOP seats

A fast-growing anti-Republican wave threatens to significantly shrink the party's ranks in Congress, as Democratic challengers make headway against once safe incumbents including the Senate's minority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Published October 16, 2008

G-8 vows to help global economy

Leaders from the world's eight wealthiest countries pledged Wednesday to coordinate efforts to shore up their slumping national economies in order to avert a global recession. Published October 15, 2008

Asian, Pacific markets open strong

Asian and Pacific financial market trading opened strong Monday, as investors cautiously welcomed pending action by governments to try to shore up the tottering world financial system. Published October 12, 2008

Wealthiest nations vow ‘decisive action’

President Bush emerged from a meeting with foreign financial officials on Saturday and pledged a global response to the credit crisis that will lead toward a "path of stability and long-term growth." Published October 11, 2008

Wall Street takes big hit

Wall Street stock prices nose dived in late trading Thursday, as the Dow Jones fell 679 points, or more than 7 percent — its lowest level in five years — after word spread that General Motors' credit rating may be cut. Published October 9, 2008

Wall Street wobbly but holds against big losses

The financial markets slumped Thursday afternoon after early gains but avoided a deep tailspin amid worries that the lifting of a three-week ban on short selling financial stocks could cause a trading panic. Published October 9, 2008

Economic probes likely to aid Democrats

Congress may not be in session, but that hasn't stopped Democratic leaders from convening hearings that highlight a staggering economy that is expected to pay dividends for them in the November elections. Published October 9, 2008

AIG followed bailout with $440K retreat

Top executives at failed insurance giant American International Group spent $440,000 at a company retreat just days after the federal government bailed out the company with $85 billion in taxpayer funds, according to documents revealed Tuesday at a Capitol Hill hearing. Published October 8, 2008

AIG execs hold $440K post-bailout retreat

Top executives at the failed insurance giant AIG spent more than $440,000 at a company retreat days after the federal government bailed out the company with $85 billion in taxpayer funds. Published October 7, 2008

Bush signs Wall Street bailout

Congress on Friday gave Wall Street the financial lifeline it was seeking and President Bush immediately signed it into law, as the House reversed course and approved a $700 billion bailout package. Published October 4, 2008