"He possesses a deep understanding of how jobs are created and how to grow our economy." That's what Barack Obama said as he announced the appointment of his new chief of staff, William Daley, before a crowd of admiring White House staffers.

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, named members of his party to the various appropriations subcommittees Friday -- and three Florida Republicans won some plum assignments, giving the Sunshine State a large seat at the table when Congress sets federal expenditures.

As Rick Scott takes the reins of Florida government, some longtime political players find themselves marginalized or cut out of the decision-making loop altogether.

Another name has emerged in the already crowded field of potential Republican candidates and the new hopeful has served as governor of Louisiana. No, not Gov. Bobby Jindall who looks increasingly unlikely to launch a bid. Its former Gov. Buddy Roemer who currently serves as the president and CEO of Business First Bank.

Barely into his administration, Gov. Rick Scott nevertheless took time Friday morning to reflect on his first week in office and tout his accomplishments.

Monday marks the 150th anniversary of Florida leaving the Union, a step in the coming of the Civil War.

Multimillionaire Gov. Rick Scott is taking a single penny for his gubernatorial salary, but hes stocking his staff with people commanding six-figure salaries while promising to cut state spending as the state faces a $3.5 billion shortfall and 12 percent unemployment.

The Senate and the House convened the 112th Congress, passing and adopting mostly routine housekeeping measures and conducting leadership elections.

"The success of a party means little except when the nation is using that party for a large and definite purpose," said Woodrow Wilson in his first inaugural. "No one can mistake the purpose for which the nation now seeks to use the Democratic Party."