ACOs are here to stay - Whatever the Court decides
The future of healthcare in America may be wrapped up in these three letters: A-C-O, the Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
This model to provide high-quality, cost-effective care received momentum from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but it will continue regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision this month. Why? Because an ACO is a sensible, efficient, and patient-centered way to keep people healthy and then care for them during illness.
What savings? 2012 Farm Bill is agribusiness as usual
The Senate has taken up the formidable Farm Bill, which sets agricultural and food policy in the United States. Proponents of the Senate bill claim it will save money and cut subsidies, but this is a half truth at best. In reality, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240) is shaping up to be a big, expensive, $969 billion boondoggleâ€"just like its predecessorsâ€"and it needs some serious changes.
Why investment in Africa makes a difference
Critics of providing endless development aid to Africa are right, but not for the reasons you might think. That is because development aid is just part of the picture on how to engage a continent which still grapples with famine, war, and disease but that also has growth rates that are leaving other regions, including Europe and Latin America, in the dust. While the development aid is still essential, what is also really needed now is increased engagement with Africa to support economic development and to build trade relations through foreign direct investment.Â
Obama celebrates Father's Day with BBQ, military dads
Starting his Father's Day celebration a few days early, President Obama made a surprise lunch stop at Kenny’s BBQ Smokehouse to eat with military dads and local barbers as part of a new campaign to promote fatherhood.
"These guys are also young fathers, and they're doing a great â€" he’s got four kids. He’s got two," Obama said, motioning to the two military fathers. "And Michelle and I have been working a lot with military families, trying to support them. When these guys are deployed sometimes, they're leaving the family behind. I just want to make sure they get support."
India's problematic protectionist plan
Smart policy and the removal of economic barriers have driven the amazing development of the Indian economy over the past few decades. Yet, today, that progress is threatened by new obstacles being erected by the Indian government â€" obstacles that could, ironically, isolate India from the benefits of participating in the global market. If left unchecked, other nations could mimic the Indian approach, injecting even more uncertainty into the fragile calculus of the global economy.
Betty White promotes White House Summer Jobs initiative
Actor Betty White taped an advertisement for the White House’s Summer Jobs initiative that was released Wednesday.
In the video, White talks about her first job, which was an appearance on a TV talk show. “It taught me that whatever else I did for the rest of my life, I wanted to stay in that business. And I have. I’m 90 and I’m still in that business and loving it,†the star of the beloved 1985-1992 TV show “Golden Girls†said in the video.
McCain sides with Reid, calls Pacquiao decision 'disgrace to boxing'
Boxing brought two fans from separate sides of the aisle together this week, with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) tweeting Wednesday â€" in a rare show of bipartisanship â€" “I completely agree†with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Reid on Tuesday called for an investigation into a controversial decision that cost boxer Manny Pacquiao a championship game.
“The decision was a disgrace to boxing,†McCain tweeted.
I completely agree w/ @SenatorReid - the decision was a disgrace to boxing- "Reid calls for probe of Pacquiao decision" thehill.com/homenews/senat…
â€" John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June 13, 2012
Michelle Obama joins Pinterest, emphasizes Father's Day
First lady Michelle Obama joined Pinterest on Wednesday, and immediately began sharing personal photos in honor of Father’s Day.
Latest DNC web ad uses teacher, first responders to jab Romney
Democrats are continuing to hammer Mitt Romney over his suggestion that the federal government should not help subsidize the hiring of more teachers and emergency responders.
In a new Web ad released Wednesday, three public-sector workers â€" Michael, a fireman; Martha, a science teacher; and DeMar, a police officer â€" introduce themselves.
"Mitt Romney says there should be fewer of me," says the firefighter. "He wants to cut taxes for people like himself by cutting jobs like mine."
George H.W. Bush jokes about his love of socks, 'The Bieber'
Former President George H.W. Bush, in an interview aired Tuesday, denied that he knows anything about Justin Bieber â€" whom he called "The Bieber" â€" but acknowledged that he and the 18-year-old pop singer share a love of colorful socks.
"I like a colorful sock. I'm a sock man," Bush acknowledged on NBC. "Biebs? Is he a sock man? I don't know much about The Bieber. I never see him, I don't know what he does."
Poll: World souring on Obama, American foreign policy
President Obama has seen his poll numbers slip in recent months as a lagging economy continues to dog his presidency, and now there's evidence that the president is also seeing his popularity erode around the world.
According to a new survey of more than 26,000 people in 21 different countries, support for the president's international policies is dropping. Approval of the president's handling of foreign affairs has dropped 15 points in Europe, 19 points in the Middle East, 18 points in Russia, and 30 points in China according to a new survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project.
The poll found many object to American strategy in fighting the war on terrorism, with majorities in 17 of the 21 countries surveyed saying that they disapprove of the use of drones in Middle Eastern countries.
Federal oversight needed to address cruel, corrupt treatment of horses
Horses hold an iconic place in our nation’s history. Without Paul Revere’s trusty steed, Brown Betty, the colonists in New England might have never known of the British forces’ late night advance toward Lexington. As American settlers moved west to the Pacific, horses pulled covered wagons and plowed fields on new homesteads. Horses accompanied many of our military commanders into battle, and horses still carry our fallen soldiers to their final resting places at Arlington National Cemetery.Â
Clean coal has a role in our energy future
Natural gas prices recently plunged to their lowest level in more than a decade. Short-term, that’s good news for consumers and industry seeking respite from high energy prices. Long-term, belief in any single fuel source as America’s energy salvation undermines prudent public policy that encourages a diverse energy portfolio, including clean fuels and renewables. We need an all-of-the-above approach supported by President Obama and Mitt Romney to meet our energy needs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Ending experimentation on chimpanzees is right choice
As a scientist who used primates as subjects in life-saving research for America’s military pilots and astronauts as well as the only member of Congress with a doctorate in human physiology, I can assure you that spending more taxpayer money on invasive research on chimpanzees is both scientifically and fiscally unnecessary. That is the reason I introduced the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 1513/S. 810), which already has more than 175 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House and Senate.Â
Romney to campaign with Boehner in Ohio over weekend
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) will campaign together this weekend at a rally in Boehner's home congressional district.
The announcement of the Sunday afternoon event in Troy, Ohio â€" a suburb of Dayton â€" came after news of an hour-long meeting between the GOP heavyweights Monday in Atlanta.
That conference was the first time the pair had seen each other face-to-face since the former Massachusetts governor secured the delegates for the GOP presidential nomination. Both were appearing at separate fundraisers in the city.
Jeb Bush clarifies: 'Both sides,' not just GOP, are 'hyperpartisan'
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Tuesday addressed the previous day's media reports that he considered Ronald Reagan too moderate for his own modern party, tweeting that this reminds him why he "rarely" reads headlines.
Am reminded today why I rarely read headlines. #ContextIsImportant
â€" Jeb Bush (@JebBush) June 12, 2012
Sen. Mike Lee: Mormons have 'added dose of a belief in American exceptionalism'
Mormons have an "added dose of a belief in American exceptionalism," Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) told The Washington Examiner on Tuesday.
“Mormons sort of have an extra chromosome when it comes to American exceptionalism," said Lee, a Mormon senator from Utah. "Mormons do have an added dose of a belief in American exceptionalism."Â
Mitt Romney, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, also is of the Mormon faith.Â
Romney, Boehner held hour-long meeting Monday in Atlanta
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) met with Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in Atlanta on Monday, the first time the two party leaders had seen each other since the former Massachusetts governor secured the necessary 1,144 delegates to essentially snag the GOP nomination.
"The Speaker and the Governor met for about an hour yesterday and discussed ways they can work together over the months ahead," said Cory Fritz, a spokesman for Boehner, in a statement.
Boehner was fundraising in Atlanta during the House recess this week; Romney had a fundraiser of his own scheduled in the city.
Obama meets with Betty White in the Oval Office
President Obama showed "Golden Girl" Betty White around the Oval Office on Monday.
Pete Souza, the official White House photographer, on Tuesday tweeted a picture of Obama engaged in conversation with White.
Photo of Betty White and the President in the Oval Office: bit.ly/LWvlsI
â€" petesouza (@petesouza) June 12, 2012
Obama's big sigh of relief in Wisconsin
Last Tuesday was a terrible night for unions and a bad one for Wisconsin Democrats. After staking so much time, money and effort on the removal of Governor Scott Walker, the party saw almost an exact repeat of his 2010 election. For jubilant Republicans, despite losing control of the state Senate in the recall, this result confirms the strength of their message. For Barack Obama, there is a very different reaction. While he can’t be happy the Democrats lost, the vote totals and polls can allow him to breathe a sigh of relief. He is probably in no great danger of losing his electoral votes in the Badger State.
Obama: Entire Romney campaign could fit 'on a tweet'
President Obama used Twitter in an attack line on his GOP presidential rival Mitt Romney Tuesday, confirming his role as tweeter in chief.
"The challenge is because folks are still hurting right now, the other side feels that it's enough for them to just sit back and say, ‘Things aren’t as good as they should be and it’s Obama’s fault,’ " Obama said at a fundraiser in Baltimore. "And, you can pretty much put their campaign on, on a tweet and have some characters to spare.â€Â
Ignore all pundits (including me) about election predictions
I would argue that it is (slightly) bullish for Obama that despite so much bad news he is even to ahead, and (slightly) bearish for Romney that despite so much news that should be good for him he is even to behind.
Dems tweet pressure on GOP to compromise on highway bill
Democrats argued on Twitter Tuesday that the House and Senate should reach an agreement on a long-term highway bill before a June 30 deadline for the expiration of current funding.
"House GOP obstruction on highway bill is hurting job creation + endangering safety," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) said in a tweet to her 191,000 followers Tuesday. "1 bridge collapses every 1.3 months."
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) agreed, tweeting on Tuesday that "[S]ummer means highway construction in MN & then it snows. We need the House 2 pass Senate #transportationbill now. No more delay."Â
FEC charges ex.-Sen. Craig with misusing campaign funds in legal defense for bathroom sex sting
Former Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was sued Monday by federal elections officials who accuse the former lawmaker of misusing more than $200,000 in campaign funds for his legal defense following his 2007 arrest in a bathroom sex sting.
Craig was accused of soliciting sex in a bathroom at the Minneapolisâ€"St. Paul airport after an undercover officer reported that the senator had used his feet to signal under the toilet stall that he was interested in sex. Craig initially pleaded guilty and received a suspended sentence of 10 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, but later attempted to withdraw that plea after the arrest became public.
But the FEC said in a complaint filed Monday and obtained by The Associated Press that the senator should not have used campaign dollars to pay for his legal fees surrounding the incident.
FEC charges ex.-Sen. Craig misused campaign funds in bathroom sex sting legal defense
Craig was accused of soliciting sex in a bathroom at the Minneapolisâ€"St. Paul airport after an undercover officer reported that the senator had used his feet to signal under the toilet stall that he was interested in sex. Craig initially pled guilty and received a suspended sentence of 10 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, but later attempted to withdraw that plea after the arrest became public.
But the FEC said in a complaint filed Monday and obtained by the Associated Press that the senator should not have used campaign dollars to pay for his legal fees surrounding the incident.
Angus King: New England finds its Chamberlain
Angus King may be the most important and influential of Virginians to travel north to us since Bronson Alcott brought up his doctrine of “inner light†and passed it on to Emerson and Thoreau. There is today on the op-ed pages of The New York Times a profile of him by Jennifer Finney Boylan that compares Maine’s former governor, who is running as an Independent for the Senate seat being vacated by Olympia Snowe (R), to Maine's Joshua Chamberlain, who singlehandedly held off the Confederates at Gettysburg. It brought the critical turning to the Civil War and you could therefore say that Chamberlain brought forth with arms the modern age.
Ann Romney calls to support ABC reporter following diagnosis
ABC News reporter Robin Roberts received support from both a prospective first lady and the current one this week, following an announcement made on-air Monday that she has myelodysplastic syndrome, previously known as preleukemia.Â
"I had a lovely phone conversation with Ann Romney last night, who’s had her own health challenges," Roberts said Tuesday morning on "Good Morning America."
Roberts, on an ABC News blog, pointed to her previous battle with breast cancer â€" a battle Ann Romney also faced in the past â€" as a possible contributing factor for her diagnosis.
Michelle Obama personally tweeted Roberts on Monday following her announcement.
"Barack and I have you in our prayers. We believe in you and thank you for bringing awareness and hope to others," she wrote, in a tweet signed "-mo" to indicate it was sent by the first lady and not her office.
Roberts said the outpouring of support since her announcement "really has been really comforting." She is preparing for a bone marrow transplant later this year.
Doors open to innovation in Northern Virginia
The federal government’s research partnership with academia was forged during World War II and took off during the space race of the 1960s. More than half of the nation’s economic growth since then can be traced to science-driven technological research and innovation in the fields of health care, energy, education, communications, transportation, manufacturing, defense, and more. We need to continue nourishing research and development (R&D) and rewarding cutting-edge scientific innovation. The often untold story of these federal research partnerships is the tremendous return on the government’s modest investments and the jobs created in every state, which is why concerned members of Congress are stepping forward to advocate for preserving and growing these investments in our nation’s competitiveness.
The financial alarm bell is ringing
Spain has requested and received a $126 billion bailout to become the largest country in the European Union to receive a bailout in this two-and-a-half-year-long economic crisis.
For now, they can breathe a temporary sigh of relief. The key word, however, is temporary, because no significant structural changes have been made to their financial philosophy and their actions have not changed.
Just because the European government put pressure on Spain to agree to an aid package ahead of the Greek elections on June 17 does not mean that the financial crisis is resolved. In fact, with the upcoming elections, this entire situation means that we will return to this beast of a financial disaster again after kicking the can down the road.
Hatch virtually tied against challengers
A new poll finds that Sen. Orrin Hatch's reelection bid is facing significant difficulties
Obama campaign releases 'Romney Economics' ad for TV
President Obama's campaign released a new TV ad on Tuesday titled "No. 1." Despite the title, the ad is anti-Mitt Romney, warning prospective voters that Massachusetts under Governor Romney was "no. 1" in state debt but "fell to 47th in job creation."
The ad concludes: "It didn't work then. It won't work now."
Obama reflects on Father's Day
The president said the "perfect day on Father's Day is just spending time with" his daughters.
Obama discusses family life, reflects on Father's Day
The president said the "perfect day on Father's Day is just spending time with" his daughters.
Report: Giuliani, Christie to meet
Speculation is growing that the former New York City mayor will jump into the presidential race.
Pawlenty: Palin qualified to be president
During Monday night's GOP debate, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty praised former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Dem leaders call for Weiner to resign as he enters treatment
Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman-Shultz and Steve Israel issue Saturday statements against Anthony Weiner keeping his seat.
Clyburn breaks with Dem leaders over calls for Weiner's resignation
Rep. James Clyburn, the third ranking House Democrat, said "the full caucus should address this issue."
In a coordinated effort, Dem leaders call for Weiner to resign
Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman-Shultz and Steve Israel issue Saturday statements against Anthony Weiner keeping his seat.
Romney 'Jolt' video knocks Obama for saying private sector 'doing fine'
"These comments show that President Obama is completely out of touch with the middle class," Romney's campaign said.Â
Commerce secretary under investigation for hit-and-run accident
A Commerce spokesman said Secretary Bryson suffered a seizure Saturday and was involved in a traffic accident in Los Angeles.
Romney adviser: 'You need time-lapse photography' to see growth in economy
Mitt Romney's campaign didn't show any signs of easing off its attacks against President Obama's remark that the private sector was "doing fine."Â
Jeb Bush: Reagan âwould have a hard timeâ in todayâs GOP
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said both Ronald Reagan and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, “would have a hard time†in today’s Republican Party because of the GOP’s insistence on ideological purity within its ranks.
GOP lawmaker blasts Justin Bieber song as 'inane'
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) on Monday blasted the decision by a Brooklyn principal to swap Justin Bieber's "Baby" for the song "God Bless the U.S.A." at a kindergarten graduation ceremony, calling Bieber's hit song "inane and age-inappropriate" in a statement.
Michelle Obama to ABC reporter: You are 'in our prayers'
First lady Michelle Obama on Monday personally tweeted ABC News's Robin Roberts following a public announcement about the reporter's health.
"Barack and I have you in our prayers," she tweeted.
Obama campaign laughs off Romney attacks over 'doing fine' comment
Mitt Romney's presidential campaign on Monday continued to hammer President Obama over saying the private sector is “doing fine,†but Obama's campaign laughed off an attempt to point out a seeming contradiction between the president's past statements on government employment.
McCain recalls own economic gaffe, slams Obama over 'doing fine' remark
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said the backlash over President Obama's recent remark that the private sector was “doing fine†was a “trip down memory lane,†citing the reaction to his own statement in 2008 that the "fundamentals of out economy are strong.â€
Pro-Obama super-PAC says Romney Bain attacks are working
The pro-Obama super-PAC Priorities USA is arguing that its campaign ads targeting Mitt Romney’s tenure at private-equity firm Bain Capital are "resonating" with voters, brushing aside criticism from some of the president's supporters that the attacks are unfair or could alienate supporters on Wall Street.
Obama needs to show his Kansas side
President Obama has been hijacked by those on the cultural left who live on the edge of the woods and those lost long and vengeful in the dark forest. Lady Gaga’s "controversial" “Judas†performance projects onto Obama. Frank Gehry, of the army of post-war artists and academics lost on the path to transfiguration, reflects on Obama. Every Hollywood narcissist whose time has passed who raises cash for BHO reflects on him whenever she enters rehab. BHO needs an overhaul, and not another queer eye for the straight guy. He needs to rediscover his Kansas roots.
Crossroads apologizes for tweet suggesting Commerce secretary driving drunk
Conservative super-PAC American Crossroads apologized Monday after deleting a tweet that suggested Commerce Secretary John Bryson was driving drunk over the weekend.
A tweet from the group's official Twitter account apologized for failing "miserably" to make a joke after reports broke early Monday morning that Bryson was under police investigation for hitting two cars â€" one twice â€" in Los Angeles before being found unconscious in his own.
According to the Commerce Department, Bryson had a seizure.
Report: Commerce chief investigated for hit-and-run accidents
Commerce Secretary John Bryson is being investigated by police for allegedly causing two traffic accidents over the weekend.
Pawlenty: NLRBâs suit against Boeing evokes 'Soviet Union circa 1970s'
Tim Pawlenty is ramping up his attacks on the National Labor Relations Board's complaint against Boeing.
Former DNC chairman Tim Kaine says Rep. Weiner should resign
The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee has called for Rep. Anthony Weiner to resign.Â
Carville: Obama faces 'very rough' election without job growth
The veteran Dem strategist said the unemployment rate "is a humanitarian crisis of the first magnitude."
Carville warns of 'very rough' election for President Obama if job growth stays low
The veteran Dem strategist said the unemployment rate "is a humanitarian crisis of the first magnitude."
Pelosi will 'never support' a deal that 'reduced benefits for Medicare'
Nancy Pelosi said budget talks were "civil and constructive" but drew a line on Medicare cuts.
Pro-Obama super-PAC, SEIU launch $4M ad blitz targeting Latinos
The commercial pounces on gaffes from Romney to argue the GOP nominee is not sympathetic to the concerns of Hispanic voters.Â
Obama gets in a round of golf on Saturday
Two weeks before playing with the Speaker, the president headed to the course at Andrews AFB.
Santorum: Ron Paul delegates âlooking for a platform fightâ at GOP convention
Santorum said Sunday he hoped to rally "principled conservatives" to "counterbalance the effect of the Paul folks."
New Romney ad hits Obama over private sector âfineâ remark
The new video, which seeks to capitalize on Obama's gaffe, features American workers sharing their experiences in the economy.
Axelrod: GOP seizing on 'doing fine' remark to avoid jobs debate
The Obama adviser said the president's tax and jobs plans would help stimulate both the private and public sector.
First lady sponsors kids' recipe contest for dinner at the White House
First Lady Michelle Obama will be hosting a "state dinner" later this summer â€" but rather than the usual crowd of foreign dignitaries and celebrities, this event will be catered â€" literally â€" towards kids.
Pro-Obama super-PAC unveils new Bain attack
In the new Priorities USA ad, a former steel worker says Romney and Bain turned his factory into a "junkyard."Â
Poll: Support for Obama has dipped among Jewish voters
President Obama's support has dropped by double digits among Jewish voters from 2008, but the president still earns more than double the support of challenger Mitt Romney among American Jews according to a new survey from Gallup.
The president is the choice of 64 percent of Jewish registered voters, versus 29 percent for Romney. But that equates to a 10-point drop for the president among Jewish voters from November of 2008, and a six-point pick up for Republicans. And while some of that can be explained by Obama's slipping numbers across all demographics, the rate at which Jewish voters are defecting from the Obama campaign â€" and signaling support for Romney â€" exceeds national averages.
"Obama remains the favorite of Jewish voters but appears to be running a bit weaker among them than he did in 2008, given the 10-point drop in Jewish support for him compared with a five-point drop among all voters," said Gallup analyst Jeffrey Jones in a statement.
House, Senate Intelligence heads demand thorough leaks inquiry
The top lawmakers on the House and Senate intelligence panels vowed Sunday to keep vigilant watch over the Obama administration's investigation into a slew of potentially damaging national security leaks.
Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday appointed two U.S. attorneys to investigate and criminally prosecute “possible unauthorized disclosures of classified information†regarding U.S. cyberattacks against Iran, a “kill list†of terror suspects and the infiltration of al Qaeda in Yemen.Â
Some Republicans have called for an independent counsel instead of relying on political appointees.
“We're going to have to see what their reporting structure is,†House Intelligence committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) told CBS's Face the Nation. “My question to the attorney general is: Good start, maybe, but we need to find out if they'll have that independence. And this needs to be fair; it shouldn't be a partisan thing.â€
Dem lawmaker: Drone strikes creating âreal enemiesâ for the US
Rep. Lynn Woolsey said the country should invest in "a different kind of security," warning of unforeseen repercussions.
McCain: Americans should be 'deeply disturbed' over intelligence leaks
"It certainly is egregious what has already happened, what has been made public. It's very clear that this information had to come from this administration, it couldn't have come from anywhere else. Americans should be deeply disturbed," McCain told CNN's "State of the Union."
McCain said that indications the leaks may have come from someone within the administration necessitated the appointment of an outside investigator, as had been done when former CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity was revealed. McCain said Attorney General Eric Holder had "no credibility" with Congress, and suggested instead former Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) be appointed to investigate the matter.
Axelrod: Republicans seizing on 'doing fine' comment to avoid jobs debate
"They're more eager to have a debate over an out-of-context clause in his remarks than the substance of what he said," Axelrod said on CNN's "State of the Union."
The former White House official said the tax and jobs plans advocated by the president would help stimulate the economy in both the private and public sector.
Obama tells activists âchange is hard,â in video message to Netroots Nation
"I know it hasn’t always been easy," Obama said in a pre-recorded message, touting his record to progressive supporters.
Michele Bachmann fires up Republican base at DC conservative conference
She pledged Republicans will defeat President Obama in 2012 and that his healthcare law will be repealed.
Reports: Edwards could face indictment Thursday
Federal prosecutors might indict former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) on Friday, according to news reports.
Rubio top VP choice of CPAC straw poll
Conservative activists chose Sen. Marco Rubio in a straw poll after the Conservative Political Action Conference in Chicago.
Sen. Rand Paul: It would be a 'great honor' to be considered for Romney's VP
Sen. Rand Paul said he would be honored to join the Republican ticket as the vice presidential nominee.
Obama warns about teacher layoffs
President Obama doubled down on his call for Congress to help cash-strapped states hire teachers.
Romney cites his jobs record in latest 'day one' television ad
Another Friday, and another television commercial from the Mitt Romney campaign outlining the Republican nominee's "day one" priorities.
Obama walks back comment about private economy 'doing fine'
Republicans, recognizing a political gift, had pounced on Obama's initial remarks, made one week after a dismal jobs report.
Santorum warns of 'ideological war here in America' at conservative event
The former presidential hopeful said Americans are "becoming more and more dependent on government to do everything for us."
Romney outraises Obama in May
Romney and the RNC raised $76.8 million to Obama and the DNC's $60 million in May, their first head-to-head match-up.
Obama slams Congress on jobs bill: They left it 'sitting there'
The president noted "the private sector is doing fine" but argued his jobs proposal was needed to help public sector
Santorum announces formation of new conservative advocacy group
Rick Santorum announced Friday that he would be forming a new outside political advocacy organization to advocate for conservative issues.
Obama pins blame on Congress that left jobs bill 'just sitting there'
The president noted "the private sector is doing fine" but argued his jobs proposal would have helped the public sector.
Obama hits Congress on jobs bill, says they left it 'just sitting there'
The president noted "the private sector is doing fine" but argued his jobs proposal would have helped the public sector.
Prominent GOP donor to launch pro-gay marriage Super PAC
A prominent Republican donor who has already donated more than $1 million to the Super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's campaign is looking to create his own outside organization that would encourage GOP candidates to support gay marriage.
Paul Singer, a hedge fund billionaire, told the New York Times Saturday he would spend at least $1 million more to a new group that will urge Republicans to support same-sex relationships. Dubbed American Unity PAC, the group aims to provide financial cover for conservatives worried that embracing gay marriage could alienate them from prominent donors.
Singer told the paper he believed there were many Republicans "who could be on the verge of support" or are "harboring and hiding their views."
Rubio top choice for VP of CPAC straw poll
Conservative political activists believe Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney should pick Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as his running mate, based on a straw poll conducted Friday night after the Conservative Political Action Conference in Chicago.
Rubio, the choice of 30 percent of the activists in attendance, received more than double the votes of any other candidate.Â
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie earned the nod of 14 percent of attendees of the one day event, hosted by the American Conservative Union, while Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) garnered nine percent and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the choice of 8 percent of the assembled crowd. Some 13 potential candidates received votes, but notably none of Romney's former rivals for the Republican presidential nomination cracked the top five.
Obama looking to unwind with weekend golf game
President Obama is looking to relax after a difficult week by hitting the links.
The president headed to Fort Belvior in Northern Virginia on Saturday for an afternoon round of golf. His foursome includes White House staffers Mike Brush, Marvin Nicholson, and Joe Paulson.
The group was apparently undeterred by Washington, D.C. area temperatures that were edging into the 90s on Saturday. The president was dressed for the heat, sporting a white polo shirt and tan cargo shorts.
Man charged with three felonies for crashing SUV into lobby of D.C. office building
A Maryland man who drove his SUV into an office building just blocks from the White House was charged with three felonies, including arson and destruction of property, stemming from the incident Friday night.
Charles Morrell Ball, 32, was also charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle according to a Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman.
Ball is accused of dousing his Jeep SUV with gasoline and then crashing it into the lobby of an office building on Connecticut Avenue and L Street NW. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force was involved in the investigation of the crash, although the police later said they did not believe terrorism was the motive.
Romney to host exclusive Utah retreat for top donors
Mitt Romney is looking to continue his fundraising momentum with an exclusive day-long retreat later this month in Utah.
According to multiple media reports, the Romney campaign has invited a select group of high-dollar donors to an event in Park City, Utah, billed as the "First National Romney Victory Leadership Retreat."
According to CNN, around 300 people who have contributed at least $50,000 to the Romney campaign are expected to attend the event, which will be held in two weeks. The top fundraisers are expected to congregate at the Deer Valley resort, where they will be briefed on the status of the campaign.
Clinton 'very sorry' for suggesting extension of Bush tax cuts
Bill Clinton said Thursday that he was "very sorry" for suggesting President Obama should support the renewal of the Bush-era tax cuts before the election, a statement some have suggested undermined President Barack Obama.
Rand Paul: It would be 'great honor' to be considered for Romney's VP
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Friday he would be honored to join the Republican ticket as the vice presidential nominee, just one day after he endorsed Mitt Romney's campaign.
"A year, year and a half ago, I was a physician in a small town, and it would be a great honor to be considered as a vice president for the Republican Party," Paul told CNN. "I think that would be something that anybody who said otherwise would not be being truthful."
But the first term senator said he had not discussed joining the ticket with Romney, whose vice presidential search is already underway.Â
Jindal: Obama administration at âthe nexus of liberalism and incompetenceâ
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, frequently mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate, said the Obama administration is at “the nexus of liberalism and incompetence†while speaking at the Chicago meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday.
Bullying of LGBT youth goes beyond the schoolyard
It’s a story too familiar lately â€" a young lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender teenager is the victim of relentless bullying and harassment, sometimes with dire consequences. But as hurtful as words and actions from peers can be to a young person, the harm done by community and government leaders can often be just as bad â€" if not worse.
1967 has been bad for Palestinians and Israelis alike
Forty-five years ago this week, catastrophe befell the Palestinian people for the second time in as many decades, when Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip during the 1967 War. Nearly half a century later, the catastrophe continues, as millions of Palestinians still live under Israeli military rule, denied the most basic civil and political rights, while their land is relentlessly colonized with illegal, Jewish-only settlements that are destroying their hopes for the future.
Massachusetts begins another health reform movement
“Too little progress has been made in identifying, learning from, and ameliorating medical error. It is clearly time to actively explore and test alternatives to the medical liability system.â€
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Those words come from Healthcare at the Crossroads: Strategies for Improving the Medical Liability System and Preventing Patient Injury, a landmark report on patient safety from The Joint Commission, the independent nonprofit that sets standards and accredits U.S. health care organizations. They were written seven years ago.
Amash, Buchanan face off to win House Republicans' social media challenge
Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) are going all out to win the Republican New Media Challenge this week.
The competition between House Republicans is in its final round, a head-to-head match up between Amash and Buchanan, which ends at 5 p.m. Friday.
A case for earmarks
Earmarks are evil, right? Do you remember “the bridge to nowhere;†the “Cowgirl Hall of Fame,†the “Museum of Corn;†or road improvements on the private land of Supporters? These are extreme examples of targeted federal spendingâ€"Congressional earmarksâ€"have given the practice a very bad name. Indeed, the public has taken note as well at the members of Congress elected under the Tea Party banner. At the start of the 112th Congress, the House and Senate banned the practice of earmarking the appropriations bills.
Santorum warns of 'ideological war here in America' at CPAC
"This is the most important election in our lifetime. The fact that I’m no longer in the presidential race doesn't change that," Santorum said.
The former Republican presidential candidate said that while conservatives at the conference might be celebrating the accomplishments of former President Ronald Reagan, "we have bigger challenges now."
Google ate my homework
When a corporate CEO characterizes a competitor as having “a massive IPO, dominance in the marketplace, and a blank slate from policy makers to do practically anything they please,†you can bet on two things: first, the CEO is losing the race for consumer loyalty and support; and second, the CEO is hoping the government will knee-cap his competitor to make the race more “fair.â€
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That’s what Nextag CEO Jeffrey Katz says about Google in today’s Wall Street Journal. You can almost hear him say, Google ate my homework.
Romney needs to convince taxpayers on fiscal solutions
Exit polls in Wisconsin showed that while taxpayers do not want essential services cut in favor of a few, they are not jumping for Mitt Romney.
An Edison Research exit poll showed that the president polled ahead of Mitt Romney 51 percent to 44 despite Badger State Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) win in his recall election.
The main reason was because the majority of voters (60 percent) agreed that the recall election was not necessary for the newly elected governor, and said recall elections should only be used in cases of “official misconduct.â€
GOP seek to turn âdoing just fineâ into memorable gaffe using Twitter
Republicans hammered President Obama on Friday for saying the private sector is “doing just fine†on job growth.
The comment, made at a press conference in the White House on Friday morning, became the latest political skirmish to play out largely on Twitter.
Although Republicans did their best, as a trending topic on Twitter, #Doingfine and #Doingjustfine didn’t make it out of Washington, D.C., before Obama clarified his statement to reporters in the afternoon, during an Oval Office meeting with Philippines President Benigno Aquino III.
Poll: GOP vice presidential shortlist generally unknown to voters
While presidential candidates always hope that their selection of a running mate can be a "game-changing" moment that elevates their campaign and provides a tailwind in the stretch run to November, the names presumed to be on Mitt Romney's shortlist don't appear to be generating much enthusiasm among American voters.
In fact, a poll released Friday by The Washington Post and ABC News showed that Romney's potential running mates are generally unknown.
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), considered to perhaps lead Romney's shortlist, carries a net unfavorable rating, with three in 10 voters holding a negative opinion of the senator and just under two in 10 saying they have a favorable impression. But to more than half of voters, Portman remains an unknown.
Women are right, but the Republican war against women's livelihoods continues
What have women done to Senate Republicans, House Republicans and Mitt Romney that they oppose a woman receiving equal pay for an honest day's work? As I wrote in my column yesterday, I expect Democrats to wage a national crusade, from one corner of the nation to the other, for equal pay for honest work for women.
I applaud Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for bringing pay equity for women to the Senate floor. I applaud House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Democrats for continuing this important battle. But what have women done to the GOP to deserve the shabby treatment Republicans are giving to American women?
Paul Ryan: 'It might take the election to break this impasse' on budget
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Friday that "it might take the election to break" the impasse on dramatic spending cuts and increases to the tax code set to kick in at the end of the year.
“I think a lot of this will depend on who wins the election. The president is dead set against letting these taxes stay where they are, irrespective of the advice that we're getting from former Obama administration advisers that these tax increases would hurt the economy," Ryan told Bloomberg TV.
The Wisconsin lawmaker said there was consensus that the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts would hurt the economy. Republicans have asked to make the cuts permanent across the board, while President Obama has urged that the tax cuts be extended for all but the wealthiest of Americans.
President Obama steps up: The importance of the Eisenhower memorial
The model for the proposed Eisenhower memorial looks now like toy soldiers preparing to mount for D-Day. And there is no telling what the final result will be with trickster architect Frank Gehry making the decisions. There is a riddle here: Why is a general who ranks with Lord Nelson, with Grant, being treated with such light-handedness? Two things today: As The Washington Post reports, The Eisenhower Memorial Commission, a bipartisan body tasked with creating a memorial to the 34th president of the United States, has agreed to delay a critical design hearing tentatively scheduled for July. And most important, President Obama has entered. As AP reports, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has expressed interest in viewing models of architect Frank Gehry's design with the key parties involved. No meeting has been set, but Salazar could hold discussions about how the memorial project could move forward.
Former Rep. Giffords makes Twitter appeal for Ron Barber
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to Twitter on Friday, after a two month hiatus, to request votes for her birthday.
Giffords is campaigning on behalf of Ron Barber, a former Democratic aide who is running in the special election to replace her, representing Arizona in Congress. Giffords personally asked Barber to run, and made a personal appeal on Friday asking her supporters to help put him in Congress as a “great gift†to Giffords.
Thank you for the birthday wishes. A great gift would be seeing @RonBarberAZ in Congress. Join me tom! orrow in Tucson! on.fb.me/LtEkqu
â€" Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) June 8, 2012
Supreme Court favorability slips; justices seen as increasingly political
With the Supreme Court set to weigh in on the president's signature healthcare reform legislation by the end of the month, the court's national approval rating continues to slip as more Americans view the justice's decisions as increasingly political.
More than three out of every four Americans said Supreme Court justices sometimes let their own personal or political views influence their decisions in cases, while only 13 percent say the members of the court reach opinions based solely on legal analysis, according to a new poll from The New York Times and CBS News.
Meanwhile, fewer than half of those surveyed say they approve of the way the court is handling its job. While the court retains a net positive approval rating â€" 44 percent approve, versus 36 percent who disapprove â€" the justices generally net approval higher than 50 percent from Americans.
A bipartisan solution to aid America's low-income communities
The lower-than-expected May jobs numbers released last week are further proof that the magnitude of our nation’s economic problems defies traditional solutions. Too many Americans are unemployed and too many communities are hard-pressed to maintain the jobs they have, much less offer new opportunities. Even our most respected economists can’t agree on the solutions that will revitalize our country.
We think our nation’s great economic minds could learn a great deal by putting down their statistical analyses and taking a walk through economically distressed areas in Reading Pennsylvania and Holyoke, Massachusetts that have seen the benefits of NMTC. In Reading, an NMTC investment created jobs and opportunity in a Quaker Maid Meats family owned meat processing business. In Holyoke, the Green High Performance Computing Center is paving the way for new jobs. These aren’t just successful businesses; they are answers to many of our economic challenges.
Sen. Paul to Obama: 'Did you hear Scott Walker won in a landslide?'
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Friday gloated over Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's victory in a recall election earlier this week, riling up a crowd of conservatives in Chicago.
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"Mr. President, did you hear Scott Walker won in a landslide?" Paul called out, to cheers from the crowd. "It's hard for me to say that without gloating."
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Republicans jumped on Walker's victory in Wisconsin on Tuesday as a good sign for GOP chances in Novemberâ€"and a sign of weakness for President Obama, who threw his support behind Walker's Democratic opponent and made a last-minute push for votes against Walker on the day of the election.
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"I wonder if it worries anybody at Team Obama. I think it does," Paul continued. "Scott Walker's victory should send a message to all politicians, especially some of those weak-kneed politicians in Washington, that you can stand on principle and get re-elected."
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Bill and Hillary Clinton tower over Republicans like monuments of popularity
A new CNN poll on the popularity of former presidents shows Bill Clinton with a sky-high favorable rating (66 percent), Jimmy Carter with a favorable rating of 54 percent and George W. Bush with a favorable rating of only 43 percent and a negative rating of a whopping 54 percent. In my latest column, “Hillary for vice president,†I suggested if Obama puts Hillary on the ticket he would defeat Mitt Romney and elect more Democrats to the House and Senate. In a May Gallup poll Hillary Clinton's popularity was a stunning and powerful 66 percent, identical to Bill's numbers, which should be a stunning and powerful message to both the president and those who predict his demise.
Isn't it wonderful that President Carter runs ahead of the last Republican president by a margin of landslide proportion?
Washington has a spending problem, Not a revenue problem
It will be the end of the world as we know it if the federal government does not reform its fiscal ways, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s recent Long-Term Budget Outlook. The results from this year’s report, particularly the extended alternative fiscal scenario, are even worse than last year’s. The alternative fiscal scenario projects non-interest expenditures to reach 26.1% of GDP in 2037. This surpasses last year’s gloomy outlook in which CBO projected expenditures to reach 25.0% of GDP in 2035. Historically, non-interest expenditures have averaged about 19%. Alarmingly, CBO projects debt held by the public, which excludes trust fund debt like Social Security, will be 199% of GDP in 2037, up from 69% in 2011.
The explosive increase in spending is driven primarily by growth in the Big Three entitlements: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. In 2012, these three entitlement programs cost 10.4% of GDP. CBO projects these costs to incr! ease to 12.9% of GDP in 2022 and 16.6% of GDP in 2037. CBO is actually projecting “other†spending â€" which is everything but these three programs --to decrease from 11.6% of GDP in 2012 to 9.6% of GDP in 2037. In the alternative fiscal scenario, CBO assumes that budget caps from last year’s Budget Control Act, which largely exempted entitlements, will be enforced but sequestration will not.
Rep. Hoyer tweets Boehner's highway extension suggestion is 'bad policy, bad for jobs'
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday that passing a short-term extension of highway funding would be "bad for jobs."
Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday that he would prefer lawmakers pass a six-month extension of the current funding for road and transit if the conference committee that has been negotiating a possible compromise between the House and Senate on a multi-year highway bill fails to reach an agreement.
But in a series of tweets to his 19,962 Twitter followers Thursday, Hoyer took Boehner to task for the suggestion.
"Resorting to yet another short-term highway extension is bad policy, bad for jobs #MyWayOrNoHighway," he said in one tweet.Â
Sarah Palin rolls into the spotlight
Whether she's running for president or not, the former Alaska governor is the center of attention.
Clyburn: Obama's 'problems are in large measure because of the color of his skin'
Racism is to blame for the problems facing President Obama, according to a House Democratic leader.
DNC chief attacks GOP field on American 'exceptionalism'
Wasserman Schultz will be one of the leaders of the Democratic message machine in the 2012 race.
Rep. Ryan: Medicare played a role in Democrats' special-election win
The House Budget Committee chairman claims "demagoguery" of his plan led to a "Mediscare" of voters.
Ryan: Gingrich's comments about Medicare plan were 'deeply inaccurate'
Rep. Paul Ryan said that Newt Gingrich's comments about his Medicare plan was a "gross mischaracterization."
Trump decides against 2012 presidential bid
Real estate mogul Donald Trump said Monday that he won't seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
US condemns Syrian crackdown
As Syrian government forces attack protesters, the Obama administration ratchets up its rhetoric against the violence.
GOP Intelligence chief opposes release of bin Laden photos
The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence panel opposes releasing photos of Osama bin Laden's body.
Trump 'very proud of myself'
Trump takes credit, says he's proud for accomplishing "something that nobody else was able to accomplish."
Palin: Don't let White House 'distract you' from Bernanke press conference
Palin claims the release of Obama's birth certificate is a distraction by the White House.
Michael Steele: RNC's Wisconsin response 'wimpish' and 'late'
Former chief Michael Steele criticized the Republican National Committee for its reaction to the Wisconsin showdown.
Rep. Rangel: Abolishing unions' collective bargaining 'close to slavery'
Rep. Charles Rangel rebuked Republican-controlled state governments' efforts to cut spending by targeting public-employee unions.
Cleaver: Politics in a 'dark place'
The new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus called the current political climate "toxic" on Sunday.
Giffords 'dedicated to serving the people'
The office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) issued a statement Saturday evening about the "unthinkable tragedy."
Attorney General promises all necessary resources in investigating 'senseless act'
President Obama sent FBI Director Robert Mueller to Tucson to help oversee the investigation.
Poll: Support slips for individual health insurance mandate
CNN/Opinion Research poll finds dropping support after a federal judge rules the mandate is unconstitutional.
Tea Party to host GOP presidential debate
One of the largest Tea Party groups will co-host a presidential debate with CNN next year.
Maryland Black Caucus members hoping for Hoyer-Clyburn deal
Maryland's black Democrats are in a pickle because of the leadership battle between Hoyer and Clyburn.
Rep.-elect West says conservative talk radio host won't be his chief of staff
Conservative talk radio host Joyce Kaufman caused a controversy when she called outgoing Speaker Pelosi "garbage."
Bachmann drops bid for conference post, backs Hensarling
Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) dropped her bid to become the House GOP conference chairwoman late Wednesday.Â
O'Donnell accuses station of 'forgetting' to air her campaign ads
The 30-minute Christine O'Donnell campaign ad, scheduled to air Sunday night and Monday morning, didn't appear.
Sen. Hatch: 'Make no mistake about it, we are being outspent'
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) sought to rebut Democrats' contention that outside spending is overwhelmingly helping Republicans.
Report: Toxic powder sent to Rep. Grijalva's Tuscon, Ariz., office
Envelope containing a white, powdery substance and two swastikas was opened by staffers, according to reports.
GOP majority would propose spending cuts weekly, Boehner says
House minority leader says Republicans "learned their lesson" on spending after the election defeats of 2006 and 2008.
Obama calls for 'fundamental overhaul' to U.S. infrastructure
President Obama on Monday called for a $50 billion investment in roads, bridges, railways and electric grids.
Poll: Obama leads Palin by 16 in 2012 test
A Bloomberg poll finds Obama would trounce Palin if they are their party's nominees.Â
White House throws cold water on Obama-Clinton ticket talk
"No one in the White House is discussing this as a possibility," spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
GOP holds wide lead among likely voters in latest Gallup poll
A new Gallup poll released Monday showed the GOP with a double-digit led among likely voters.
Biden tells liberal base: 'Stop whining'
Vice president urges party's rank-and-file to make the case that President Obama has "kept his promises."
Obama condemns Iranian leader after UN speech claiming U.S. orchestrated 9/11
President Obama condemned Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for suggesting that the 9/11 attacks were an inside job.
Rep. Van Hollen has 'no intention' of making bid to be House Speaker
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the assistant to the Speaker, said he's focused on the 2010 midterm election.Â
Sen. Murray: Lawmakers âwerenât preparedâ to deal with veteransâ issues
The Senate Veterans' Affairs committee chairwoman said lawmakers had ignored the long-term funding needs of war veterans.
Calif. woman arrested for impersonating Cardoza aide
A California woman was arrested Thursday on charges of falsely impersonating an aide to Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.).