WASHINGTON (CNN) — Four prominent Democratic Senators spoke out Saturday in support of former Sen. Tom Daschle, whose tax records have come under scrutiny as he pursues a Cabinet position in the administration of President Barack Obama.

Obama nominated the 61-year-old South Dakotan to be secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Senate Finance committee — which will vote on the nomination before the full Senate votes on whether to confirm him — is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the nomination.

A committee memo obtained Friday by CNN indicates committee members want to discuss the use of a car and driver that Daschle didn't disclose on his income taxes, and nonpayment of taxes on more than $80,000 he earned in consulting fees after leaving the Senate.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, the senior member of the finance committee, released a statement Saturday saying, "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error."

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Aretha Franklin performed at Obama's inauguration.

Michelle Obama’s now-famous Jason Wu gown isn’t the only piece of Inaugural fashion that is headed for the Smithsonian. The museum is also requesting the now-iconic hat that Aretha Franklin wore while singing at the swearing-in.

Aretha, however, is still undecided about parting with her Luke Song-designed hat. “I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history,” says the Queen of Soul.

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Michael Steele, the RNC's first African-American chairman, spoke to Republican House members Saturday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The new chairman of the Republican National Committee praised House Republicans Saturday for their universal opposition to President Obama's stimulus bill and used his family's own life experiences to justify voting against it.

Click here to listen to Steele remarks Saturday.

"I know we're living in the era of bipartisanship," Steele joked to the House GOP congressmen who gathered this weekend to discuss policy and politics. "I thought it was very important to send a signal, and you sent it loudly, very clearly, that this party, the leadership of this caucus, would stand first and foremost with the American people. You made it very clear that in order to grow through this recession that you not redistribute the wealth of the people of this nation."

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Two Iraqi women display their ink-stained fingers, a sign that they voted Saturday in Iraq's provincial elections.

WASHINGTON (CNN)– In a statement issued Saturday, President Obama congratulated Iraqis for holding provincial elections.

Obama also called the elections an "important step forward" in "the process of Iraqis taking responsibility for their future."

Read the entire statement after the jump

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Watch Kate Balduan report the Obama's could prompt a DC renaissance.

WASHINGTON (CNN)– President Barack Obama pledged to bring change to Washington.

Now that he's moved to town, local restaurant owners are hoping he'll keep his campaign promise.

After eight years of largely being ignored by a homebody president, Washington restaurateurs are throwing open their doors to the new first family — dreaming of a presidential visit that would undoubtedly spark buzz at a time when some restaurants are struggling.

"I think the Obama family brings back this kind of Kennedy-era style of having a youthful family in the White House," said Sheldon Scott, general manager of Marvin restaurant, in the trendy U-Street corridor. "People actually plan on living in the city, not just necessarily living at the city."

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Gregg confirmed Friday he was under consideration to be the next Commerce Secretary.

WASHINGTON (CNN) –Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire is the leading candidate to become commerce secretary and a decision could come as soon as Monday, an Obama administration official told CNN Saturday.

Gregg said in a statement Friday that he was among those being considered for the post, but White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday that "a final decision had not been made."

"I know that's something that he [President Obama] hopes to make a decision on and announce shortly. But until the President tells me to make a personnel announcement from this podium, I'll refrain from getting into individual names on that," Gibbs said at Friday's press briefing.

The administration official Saturday spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss administration deliberations.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama ended last year with $15.5 million left over in his 2008 campaign war chest, according to a disclosure report filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission.

Obama could transfer the bulk of this amount to a re-election bid in 2012.

By comparison, former President George W. Bush had only $292,809 in his campaign account at the end of the 2000 campaign year. Former President Bill Clinton ended his successful 1992 bid with $2.7 million in the bank.

Chris Guynn says he's grateful that his wife has a full-time job while he studies for life after Caterpillar.

On CNN's "State of the Union," CNN host and chief national correspondent John King goes outside the Beltway to report on the issues affecting communities across the country. This week, King traveled to Peoria, Illinois, to explore how the recession is hitting the blue-collar town hard.

PEORIA, Illinois (CNN) — Suddenly, this city's motto rings hollow: "It's Better Here" doesn't match the mood in a place where the recession hit late but is now hitting hard.

"I just felt, I thought I couldn't lose with this company" is how Chris Guynn described his motivation for moving his wife and two children to Peoria from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Watch Economic pain in Peoria

There was a job waiting at Caterpillar, the 80-year-old heavy equipment giant, and "It was a company that you could just retire with, great pension, retirement, 401 and so on."

Full story

Geithner is putting together the administration's financial rescue plan.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — After initially vowing to unveil a new financial rescue package this coming week, senior Obama administration officials are now pushing the rollout date back an extra week in a sign of just how difficult it may be to craft such a massive plan — especially while the White House is simultaneously trying to sell a separate $819 economic stimulus plan.

Two senior administration officials told CNN that the full rescue plan, which is being put together by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other top economic advisers, is now expected to be unveiled the second week of February. But the officials held out the possibility that Geithner could start teasing out some aspects of the rescue plan this coming week.

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Obama's radio address this week again focused on this economy.

(CNN) — President Obama said Saturday his aides are crafting a new plan to revive the country's financial system — and to make sure CEOs don't misuse bailout funds.

"We'll ensure that CEOs are not draining funds that should be advancing our recovery," Obama said, in his weekly radio/YouTube address airing Saturday morning. "And we will insist on unprecedented transparency, rigorous oversight and clear accountability, so taxpayers know how their money is being spent and whether it is achieving results."

News that corporate executives had handed out $20 billion in bonuses last year spurred tough words from Obama this week. The president blasted those bonuses as "the height of irresponsibility," and seemed to say there could be consequences for those decisions.

"While I'm committed to doing what it takes to maintain the flow of credit, the American people will not excuse or tolerate such arrogance and greed," President Obama told listeners Saturday morning. "The road to recovery demands that we all act responsibly, from Main Street to Washington to Wall Street."

He also said that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is preparing a strategy to lower mortgage costs and increase the flow of credit.

Former Sen. Tom Daschle answers questions during a confirmation hearing January 8.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Senate Finance committee will meet Monday to review the tax records of former Sen. Tom Daschle, President Obama's nominee for secretary of health and human services.

According to a committee memo obtained Friday by CNN, the group's concerns include the use of a limousine and driver that Daschle didn't disclose on his income taxes and nonpayment of taxes on more than $80,000 he earned in consulting fees after leaving the senate.

Daschle also apparently once filed a tax form listing charitable donations to organizations that did not qualify for a deduction, according to the memo.

A Democratic source told CNN that Daschle has since paid what he owed. None of the tax issues appeared to have occurred while he was serving in the senate.

Full story

George Obama was arrested in Kenya on a charge for possession of marijuana, according to police.

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) — George Obama, the half brother of U.S. President Barack Obama, has been arrested by Kenyan police for possession of marijuana, police said Saturday.

Inspector Augustine Mutembei, the officer in charge, said Obama was arrested for possession of cannabis, known in Kenya as Bhang, and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday, Mutembei said.

He is being held at Huruma police post in the capital of Nairobi.

CNN Correspondent David McKenzie talked with George Obama at the jail where he is being held. Speaking from behind bars, Obama denied the allegations.

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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano had a busy first week at her new job.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — In her first full week as the nation's homeland security secretary, Janet Napolitano got a full dose of the job's diverse responsibilities — responding to ice storms in the Midwest, dealing with Congress on budget matters and scrutinizing security plans for the Super Bowl.

During it all, she said, she tried to learn her way around Washington.

Napolitano, who stepped down as governor of Arizona to accept the job, said her routine includes morning security briefings followed by visits to Department of Homeland Security agencies and interviews with job candidates.

In addition, she called the governors of Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky to make sure they were getting the help they needed to cope with ice storms, she said.

Napolitano described the ice storms as the "most pressing issue" during her first week in office.

Full story

Obama is rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

(CNN) – Democrats and Republicans may cross party lines to join colleagues in rooting for their favorite teams at President Obama’s Super Bowl party on Sunday night.

Obama invited several members of Congress, including a few Republicans, to the White House residence on Sunday night to chow down on chips and dip and watch the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the daily press briefing on Friday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said this is a way of “bringing people together.”

“He'll have more members of Congress over here Sunday to watch the Super Bowl and, again, reach out to and get to know in a better way members on both sides of the aisle to see where we can work in concert to improve the lives of the American people,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs joked that his deputy, Bill Burton, would provide seven-layer dip. But he said there’s no wagering allowed at this party.

Full list after the jump

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CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from The Best Political Team.

(CNN) --The nation elected its first African-American to lead the country — now the Republican National Committee has elected its first African-American to lead the GOP. What does the new RNC chairman have to say? “This is awesome.” In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, we’ll show you Michael Steele’s acceptance speech. CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider is reporting on the scene.

Plus: President Obama’s debut on the world stage. CNN’s top international correspondents discuss the president’s first international moves, and his message to the global community. CNN’s Christiane Amanpour and Michael Ware weigh in.

And: CNN’s Don Lemon looks at how the president is picking his battles and setting a global tone.

Finally: The Obama team has issued its first marching orders to the army of campaign backers who've pledged to push for the new president's agenda: Host a stimulus party. The Democratic Party is calling on millions of Obama supporters to help make the case for the president’s economic recovery plan. CNN Internet reporter Abbi Tatton takes a look at exactly what the DNC is asking the campaign’s most dedicated supporters to do.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily.

Daschle is Obama's choice to be Health and Humans Services Secretary.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Senate Finance committee will meet Monday to review the tax records of former Sen. Tom Daschle, President Obama's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services who, according to sources, didn't pay taxes on a car and driver he had been loaned.

A Democratic source familiar with the situation told CNN Daschle was loaned a car and driver by a wealthy friend and failed to disclose it on his income taxes, as he should have.

Daschle has since paid what he owed, the source said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Daschle had brought the issues to the committee's attention himself and that President Barack Obama said is "confident" he will be confirmed.

– CNN's Dana Bash and Gloria Borger contributed to this report

Nelson and Collins are seeking a compromise version of the stimulus bill.

(CNN) — President Obama’s hopes of passing a massive economic stimulus bill next week in the Senate could hinge on the efforts of a bipartisan pair of centrist senators.

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Nebraska, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, oppose the proposal in its current form and want to slash what they say is wasteful spending from the bill so moderate Republicans and conservative Democrats can vote for it.

“I want to see the president succeed,” Nelson told CNN. “But in this situation I want to make sure the actual package delivers the bang for the buck that we’re hoping it will.”

Related: Senate bracing for a 'hard slog' on stimulus bill

The two senators, known as consensus builders, will spend the weekend scrubbing the nearly $900 billion bill for spending that does not narrowly target job and economic growth.

“I want to draft a whole new approach and I’m guided by the credo: will it help turn the economy around? Will it create jobs?” Collins said.

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Michael Steele was picked Friday to be the RNC's first African-American chairman. (Photo Credit: Getty Images/File)

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Members of the Republican National Committee elected their first-ever African-American party chief on Friday, choosing former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele to chair the organization after six tumultuous rounds of voting.

Watch: 'It's time for something completely different,' says Steele

The often contentious race for the chairmanship came down to a choice on the final ballot between Steele and Katon Dawson, the South Carolina GOP chairman who secured strong support from party insiders after former RNC leader Mike Duncan dropped out of the race earlier in the day.

Steele emerged as the winner on the sixth ballot, earning 91 votes to Dawson's 77.

"We're going to say to friend and foe alike, we want you to be a part of us," Steele told party members in his victory speech. "And to those of you who will obstruct, get ready to get knocked over."

For the duration of his campaign, Steele fought suspicions that he was too moderate to lead the party because of his blue state roots and his former membership in the Republican Leadership Council, a group that sought to curb the influence of social conservatives in the party.

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(CNN) — Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine congratulated former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele on winning his bid for the GOP chairmanship Friday.

“My congratulations to Michael Steele on his election as chairman of the Republican National Committee," Kaine said in an issued statement  "Together, we have the honor of leading our respective Parties during one of the most important periods in our country’s history."

Full statement after the jump

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Sen. Levin, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented Friday on the nomination of William Lynn.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Michigan Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), who had raised questions about deputy defense secretary nominee William Lynn’s lobbying activities, stressed today that he still supported the nomination. The deputy defense secretary is the second highest position in the Pentagon, under the Secretary of Defense.

“I haven’t seen anything that would cause me not to support it,” the Democrat said Friday.

The comments from the chairman of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee come a day after Arizona Sen. John McCain sent Lynn a stern letter charging that the nominee had not given the committee the right answers about his lobbying, and how he might recuse himself in relevant situations.

Levin said that information could be sent to the committee soon, and that he was hoping to vote soon after it arrives. Lynn has been asked for information about what projects Lynn lobbied on for Raytheon, as well as the more complicated issue of what areas he may have to recuse himself from if he is confirmed.

Levin said the issues raised regarding Lynn are not new — they’ve been raised before about others – and the senator feels that there are appropriate provisions to deal with the nominee’s conflicts in the near term as he divests himself from his Raytheon stock holdings and gets his final bonus from the company.