WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- The transition period is over and U.S. President Barack Obama has taken full ownership of the country's economic problems in the public's eyes, analysts say.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is facing more urgent demands for help from more constituencies than any other politician in recent history, observers say.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Exactly who will end up with custody of the thousands of job applications sent to Barack Obama's U.S. presidential transition team is unclear, officials say.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. minorities and civil rights groups say they are hoping President-elect Barack Obama will appoint a Cabinet with more women and racial diversity.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Bush administration's estimated 3,000 political appointees face a tough market with lower-paying jobs than previously anticipated, corporate recruiters say.

WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Lobbyist Charles Black, a friend and key adviser to U.S. Sen. John McCain, has come under fire for his representing foreign interests, including dictators.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A growing number of U.S. federal departments and agencies are being run by interim appointees, The New York Times reported Sunday.

WASHINGTON, March 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is using volunteer lawyers and accountants who exploit loopholes to write new tax rules, the tax collection agency says.

WASHINGTON, March 9 (UPI) -- The Internal Revenue Service in Washington has drawn criticism for employing the services of tax lawyers to help create new tax rules.