Politics News

The FBI says reports of hate crimes against gays and religious groups went up sharply in 2008. Overall, the number of reported hate crime incidents increased about 2 percent. These same figures show a nearly 11 percent increase in hate crime offenses based on sexual orientation, and a nearly 9 percent increase in such offenses based on religion.

Mark Sanford, the embattled governor of South Carolina, faces ethics charges that he broke state laws 37 times. The Republican has been under fire since he disappeared for five days last summer and then admitted to an extramarital affair with a woman in Argentina.

Even though the Senate passed a measure allowing debate on health care legislation, many questions remain, like whether or not Democrats will be able to have some version of a public option -- something Republicans flatly oppose.
Politics Daily: Senators Clear Way for Health Care Debate

In a 60-39 vote during a rare Saturday session, the Senate passes a measure that allows the legislative body to begin debating sweeping changes to health care. The vote clears the way for the Senate to start debate after Thanksgiving.
Politics Daily: Health Care Poised to Clear First Senate Hurdle

President Barack Obama's critics are going biblical. "Pray for Obama Psalm 109:8" has suddenly appeared on bumper stickers, T-shirts and online message boards. It's a hot Web search term. And what appears to be a statement of support turns out to be just the opposite.

As investigators dig for clues about what led to the Fort Hood massacre, bits and pieces of the suspect's life are available online for all to see. Taken together, they present a strange and chilling portrait of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. See the documents, photos and videos for yourself.