AnalystsRichard Baldwin 9084392200 ext

Best believes Commonwealth may encounterchallenges in achieving meaningful scale efficiencies given the highlycompetitive nature of the life reinsurance market, which is dominated by playerswith low cost structures and well established life reinsurance franchises. Ifadditional blocks cannot be acquired at the expected pace, Commonwealth may notgrow into the scale required to generate consistent and strong statutoryprofits. Additionally, as the companys business plan relies on derivatives tooffset the market risk associated with the variable annuity contract guarantees,the recent market environment has made the cost of hedging strategies anadditional challenge to acquiring new business at target return levels. For Bests Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies,please visit Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit ratingorganization dedicated to serving the financial and health care serviceindustries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health caresystem providers.

For more information, visit A.M Best Co.Analysts:Richard Baldwin, 908-439-2200, ext. orWilliam Pargeans, 908-439-2200, ext. orPublic Relations:Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. Copyright Business Wire 2009. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Bill Clinton said on Monday that American politics over the next 30 years will be marked by a practical, inclusive approach rather than the partisan battles that defined the last 40 years. Barack ObamaThe victory last November of President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on Tuesday, closed the curtains on the post-1960s era during which politicians used divisive issues like gun control to motivate an ideological hard core, Clinton told a gathering of mayors.In the future, Democrats and Republicans will try to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters concerned with effective government and other nuts-and-bolts issues, Clinton said."We will not go forward anymore, I don't think, with the politics of division and destruction that for too long have dragged us down," said Clinton, like Obama a Democrat.Clinton's 1993-2001 White House term was marked by stark partisan battles with a Republican-controlled Congress, even as the country enjoyed peace and economic prosperity.Those battles reflected the culture of alienation and suspicion of government that emerged after Republican Richard Nixon's victory in 1968, Clinton said.Americans have since grown comfortable with the country's increasing ethnic and religious diversity, he said.Democrats have benefited from this shift since 2006, but that does not necessarily mean the country is moving to the left, he said.

Hillary Clinton, in a heated Democratic primary last year.She is likely to be confirmed as secretary of state shortly after Obama is sworn in as the 44th U.S. president."I think he's done a very good job to this point, both in his personnel selections I especially like that secretary of state and in his policy decisions," Clinton said.Clinton said a proposed $825 billion economic stimulus package needs to include measures to improve buildings' energy efficiency, an approach that will create jobs as well as reduce energy consumption and fight climate change.(Editing by Eric Beech) Barack Obama. RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ With 2-4 inches of snowin the forecast for Monday night and Tuesday morning, Progress EnergyCarolinas crews are on alert, but the company is not anticipating widespreadpower outages from the winter weather.(Logo: http:// )Crews are prepared to respond to whatever Mother Nature brings. Forecastscall for much of the company's North Carolina service area to get snow as afront moves eastward across the state. Some customers in northeastern SouthCarolina also could get snow.

Snowfall amounts are not expected to exceed 4inches in Progress Energy's service area.Progress Energy encourages customers to avoid unnecessary travel and to becautious around the home as winter precipitation can create unsafe conditions.No large-scale outages are expected, but the weather could create scatteredpower outages. Customers should report power outages by calling ProgressEnergy's 24-hour customer service center at 1-800-419-6356.Last week's Arctic cold front brought high customer demand forelectricity. Here are some ways to lower energy use and stay warm, while reducingpower bills:Heating and efficiency tips Keep your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting Progress Energy recommends 68-70 degrees. Every degree above 70 degrees increases your energy costs by 3 to 5 percent. If you have a heat pump, adjust your thermostat in small increments to avoid the operation of the supplemental heat strip in your system. Energy consumption is much higher when the heat strip is in use.