Economist Paul Krugman, who describes John Maynard Keynes as his “economic idol,” may be the right man at the right time. But supporters of Barack Obama certainly hope not.

A Harley-riding economist has taken what may be the toughest job on President Obama’s auto task force – helping to rebuild the communities likely to be devastated by the industry’s downsizing.

Only six months ago, General Motors chief executive Rick Wagoner celebratied the automaker’s 100th anniversary, saying its mission was to demonstrate it could lead again. Whether or not GM regains that leadership, Wagoner will certainly not.

A group of Democratic stalwarts who campaigned for Barack Obama are organizing a new business group which is being described as a progressive alternative to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Veteran diplomat Chas W. Freeman Jr. has removed himself from consideration to head the National Intelligence Council as a result of criticism of his remarks about Israel and his entanglements with Saudi Arabia and China.

Only a few years ago, Democrats feared being frozen out of Washington’s lucrative lobby business. Now, though, with the party controlling the executive and legislative branches, it is Democrats who are being snapped up right and left by K Street firms.

Enter the third Emanuel.

He is a law school friend of Obama’s and a successful, high-tech entrepreneur who looks to expand broadband service to rural and underserved areas, and to promote an open Internet and diverse media ownership.

Rod Blagojevich, the Illinois governor removed from office last month after an impeachment vote, signed a deal Monday to write a book “exposing the dark side of politics,” his publicist said.

Vikram Pandit is still working out a rescue plan that would turn over as much as 40% of his bank to the U.S. government. The question is whether he will manage to hold onto his job.

Consider Earl Devaney a one-man corruption buster.

New legal challenges for search giant Google Inc. may be looming - and from chief executive Eric Schmidt’s new BFF Barack Obama, of all people.

With the arrival of a new administration, Muckety decided to take a fresh look at Washington’s power couples. Here’s our take on the Capitol’s top 70 or so duos.

After managing to be seated as Illinois’ senator last month, Roland W. Burris may be self-destructing even before he stands for election.

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary Thursday, citing “irresolvable conflicts” with President Barack Obama over his stimulus plan and handling of the 2010 census.

He has few connections to Chicago or Cambridge. Nonetheless, Eric E. Schmidt, the chief executive of Google Inc. has emerged as one of the big winners of the 2008 presidential election.

Former U.S. attorney David Iglesias – one of nine U.S. attorneys fired by the Bush administration in 2006 - has a new job.

Administrations come and go, but Latham & Watkins remains a constant - a white-shoe law firm that serves as a de facto farm team for the U.S. Justice Department, regardless of a president’s political leanings.

Starting today, Barack Obama pledged after being sworn in as president, “We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

The We Are One Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial yesterday was an event for the history books, attracting an estimated 400,000 people.