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President Bush announced a rescue package for U.S. automakers Friday morning at the White House. The president said allowing the automakers to collapse would not be responsible.The ailing automakers will get $17.4 billion in loans. Bush said $13.4 billion will come from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, and another $4 billion will come later.

The auto industry was battered by the defeat of its bailout package in the Senate. Then word came that the White House was willing to use some of the bailout funds approved earlier for the financial industry. But since then, the Bush administration hasn't acted.

President-elect Barack Obama's nominee to lead the Agriculture Department is yet another former political rival. Former Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa has received praise from a wide variety of farm groups for his experience in governance and skill in balancing competing interests.

President Bush has announced the terms of the rescue package for automakers. GM and Chrysler have said they might not be able to pay their bills without federal help. Ford says it's OK for the moment. Most of the $17.4 billion comes right away and will get them through the holidays. The rest of the money will come next month, provided that Congress approves it.

GM and Chrysler have got their government bailout, but it came with some conditions that will be difficult for the companies to meet. In some cases, the decisions must be made by outside parties, such as the United Auto Workers or investors who hold bonds issued by the companies.

Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday defiantly refused to heed a chorus of calls for his resignation, asserting that he will be cleared of charges that he conspired to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has insisted he was innocent and said he did not intend to resign despite mounting political pressure. Blagoveich was arrested last week on federal corruption charges.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on charges of plotting to sell an appointment to Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Prosecutors say Blagojevich, a Democrat, was heard telling associates the Senate appointment is "a valuable thing — you just don't give it away for nothing."

Technically speaking, the Obama campaign had two crown jewels: a database with the e-mail addresses of 10 million supporters and an online network that mobilized voters. What will become of this machine as the president-elect moves to the White House?

When President-elect Barack Obama introduced his national security team this week, he left two key positions unfilled: CIA director and director of National Intelligence. That may be because it's hard to find people to fill the jobs who are not associated with the controversial intelligence policies of the Bush administration.