Top Republican says White House hiding info on Fort Hood Nov 12, 2009
The ranking Republican on the House intelligence committee on Tuesday night accused the White House of withholding information on the Fort Hood attack ... said administration officials delayed briefing members of Congress about the alleged gunman, raising "red flags" about what the White House was hiding. (TheHill.com)
Maine man nominated to head northern border panel Nov 12, 2009
The White House announced Tuesday that it has nominated Sandy Blitz of Hudson for the new position with the Northern Border Regional Commission. Blitz owns a company that helps public and private institutions get government grants and loans. (Concord Monitor)
PAUL KRUGMAN: Obama agenda too cautious Nov 11, 2009
A Republican who promised to create jobs won the Virginia governor's office just a year after state voters helped a Democrat who promised change - and jobs - win the White House. Bob McDonnell, a former state attorney general, won with nearly 59 percent of the vote Tuesday, claiming a mandate for his conservative agenda with help from independent voters. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
For Whom the Bell Tolls Nov 11, 2009
If Americans think the country is still on the wrong course, as most now do, and the economy is still dismal, as most now do, the only way to protest will be to vote against the party that controls Congress and the White House. Despite all the media mockery of the "Birthers," "Truthers," Tea Party and town-hall "Nazis," it is the populist-conservative center-right that is not only on fire but came out to vote in 2009. (Human Events Online)
Conventional Wisdom Recycles Lies About Recent Elections Nov 11, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Had we not had to endure GW and his lying Neo conmen and their mismanagement of the government there would not be this dictatorial bunch of idiots in Congress and the White House now. (Townhall.com)
Scozzafava Repeat In California? Nov 11, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... With 24 years in the Army National Guard, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, eventually serving as a Reagan White House appointee. (Townhall.com)
Election Victories Useless if We Lose Our Way of Life Nov 11, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Finally, some transparency from the Obama White House ... No, of course President Obama wouldn't be watching election returns, both White House spokesman Robert Gibbs and senior aide David Axelrod told the media in advance. (Townhall.com)
Unconnected Dots Nov 11, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Again the Times: "Later in their meeting ... (Atta) told her he wanted to buy an aerial picture of Washington that hung in her office. He pulled out a wad of cash and threw money on her desk, even after she said she would not sell it. He asked about the White House and Pentagon, and she pointed them out.". (Townhall.com)
A Minority View: Constitutional Contempt Nov 11, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... The major difference is the significant escalation of that contempt under today's Democratically controlled Congress and White House with the massive increase in spending, their proposed legislation and the appointment of tyrannical czars to control our lives ... It's a safe bet that if and when Republicans take over the Congress and White House, they will not give up the massive increase in control over our lives won by the Democrats. (Townhall.com)
Clinton Warns Senate on Failure as Timeline for Health-Care Overhaul Slips Nov 11, 2009
Pressed on the goal by reporters on Nov. 9, White House Press Secretary said nothing had changed. End of Year. (Bloomberg -- US)
Jihadists in the Military Nov 10, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Last week, the House Judiciary Committee, dominated by liberal Democrats, defied the White House and removed from the USA Patriot Act a tool for tracking non-U.S. citizens in anti-terrorism investigations. (Townhall.com)
Gay marriage Nov 10, 2009
Will extending same-sex domestic partner benefits to federal employees make the White House cool ... In a piece that quotes President Obama as saying he wants to make government employment "cool again," reports that the White House is planning to do so through pushing a bill to extend same-sex domestic partner benefits to federal workers ... My feelings about the new White House strategy are mixed. (Salon)
Comments 148 Nov 10, 2009
When Newsweek put questions to the White House in April about what had happened to gun law reform, it was told by White House spokesman Ben LaBolt: "There isn't support in Congress for such a ban at this time.". LaBolt said: "The President supports the Second Amendment, respects the tradition of gun ownership in this country, and he believes we can take commonsense steps to keep our streets safe.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Health care reform faces tough battle Nov 10, 2009
Cao acknowledged he extracted some White House pledges to help his district deal with the continuing effects of Hurricane Katrina in exchange for his vote ... Van Hollen chided Republicans for failing to confront rising health care costs harming the U.S. economy during the years they controlled the White House and Congress. (CNN)
As oceans fall ill, storm brews over solutions Nov 10, 2009
A White House task force has recommended creating a National Ocean Council that would develop and implement national ocean policy and include the secretaries of state, defense, agriculture, interior, health and human services, labor, commerce, transportation and homeland security. It also would include the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, the administrators of NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the director of... (Juneau Empire)
Counting the Cost Nov 10, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... As best anyone can tell, the Senates version was written by Majority Leader Harry Reid, possibly with input from the White House and liberal activists. (Townhall.com)
Health-Care Overhaul Advocates Racing Calendar as Battle Shifts to Senate Nov 9, 2009
Nov. 9 (Bloomberg) -- The calendar is looming as the biggest obstacle as the White House and congressional Democrats race to complete an overhaul of the U.S. health-care system. House Speaker won passage of her version of the legislation on Nov. 7 only after forcing her partys liberal wing to make concessions. (Bloomberg -- US)
Pawlenty comments seen as missteps Nov 9, 2009
The White House said yesterday that President Obama would be meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israeli prime minister s trip to Washington to address Jewish groups, ending days of uncertainty. Netanyahu was to arrive in the US capital last night for a speaking engagement at the three-day 2009 General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America. (Boston Globe)
The Underlying Meaning of Elections 2009 Nov 9, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Doug Hoffman faced what proved to be insurmountable odds, and he nearly pulled off a victory losing only because of last-minute, all-out White House intervention ... Voters got White House corruption that rivals the worst of the past and political appointees who cant pass high-level security clearance, much less the smell test for authentic American values. (Townhall.com)
McCain: No, really, we vetted her! Nov 8, 2009
They've put veteran operatives from the Bush administration (and two Karl Rove-led Bush campaigns) in charge of getting Palin ready for prime time -- former White House speechwriter Matt Scully is writing her convention speech (and wrote the remarks she gave ) and former Bush strategist is working with Palin on press strategy ... I am not privy to the secrets of the Obama White House, but Branch brings the reader directly into the rooms where a red-eyed, exhausted Clinton sits talking late into... (Salon)
Why Obama is Blind to Terror... & Freedom Nov 8, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Once the President was told of the Ft. Hood shooting, the White House team made the decision to go forward with the conference and that the President would deliver his previously prepared remarks. (Townhall.com)
Visiting the White House Nov 8, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... The day before Halloween, the White House released a partial list of visitors since Jan. 20 of this year ... I'm not sure what the reverend is offering the Obamas, but they seem to like him more than Al Sharpton, who's visited the White House twice. (Townhall.com)
11/6/2009, 9:18pm Big step for reform Nov 7, 2009
Olympia Snowe - the Maine Republican who has been courted heavily by the White House in order to give the reform effort some modest semblance of bipartisan effort - said she was deeply disappointed by the decision. She favors a trigger mechanism that would activate a public option if insurance companies didnt make enough changes in their business practices. (Watertown Public Opinion, SD)
The Myth of '08, Demolished Nov 7, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... White House apologists will say the Virginia Democrat was weak. (Townhall.com)
Five Election Day Lessons for the GOP Nov 7, 2009
Despite the best efforts of the White House and much of the media to portray this week s elections as a meaningless barometer of the public s mood toward the Obama administration, the results were clear. The voters were communicating buyers remorse. (Human Events Online)
Political Grapevine Nov 7, 2009
The national advocacy group, Freedom to Marry, says: "President Obama missed an opportunity to state his position against these discriminatory attacks with the clarity and moral imperative that would have helped in this close fight... subtle statements from the White House are not enough.". Gay blogger Andrew Sullivan writes on The Atlantic: "Obama... is treating this civil rights movement the way President Kennedy first treated his. But we don't need Obama.". (Fox News)
The Post Off-Year Election Gabfest Nov 6, 2009
On this week's Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss how health care reform is limping forward, how much damage (political and otherwise) the shortage of swine flu vaccinations is creating, and marriage and basketball in the Obama White House ... Mark Leibovich on the "" of the Obama White House in the New York Times ... This week on the Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the latest twists and turns in the health care debate,... (Slate)
Make no mistake: He's running Nov 6, 2009
For decades White House aspirants have attacked the political climate of Washington much as Obama did: "Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions." ... Little more than two years removed from the Illinois state Senate, Obama -- the Hawaii-born and Ivy League-educated son of a Kenyan economist -- is the first African-American ever to embark on a serious quest for the White House ... Unlike Jesse... (Salon)
The most patriotic citizens? Nov 6, 2009
I am not privy to the secrets of the Obama White House, but Branch brings the reader directly into the rooms where a red-eyed, exhausted Clinton sits talking late into the night about the challenges he faced in Mogadishu, Bosnia, Haiti and Iraq (remember how he bombed a weapons facility to retaliate for an attempt on President Bush's life, so W. wouldn't have to start a war ... " And I completely agree with Clinton, but that doesn't mean Obama's opponents aren't coating their opposition with the... (Salon)
The End of an Era That Never Began Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... To listen to liberals and the White House spin election results, you'd think all was well with the world ... Defeated New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine was personally unpopular (let's all forget that the White House tried to turn the race into a referendum on Obama's agenda). (Townhall.com)
Obama Cedes the Center Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... The White House now dismisses Tuesday's losses as the reflection of "local issues" -- as though the Virginia outcome was determined by zoning disputes on the proposed site of a new 7-Eleven. (Townhall.com)
What a Difference a Year Makes! Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Christie was significantly outspent by Corzine, who also had the advantage of having the full support of the White House and President Obama campaigning for him regularly. (Townhall.com)
White House Postelection Arrogance Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... The White House arrogance on display in denying that Tuesday's election results were a repudiation of President Barack Obama's radical agenda is of a piece with its arrogance in attempting to advance this agenda against the people's will ... The White House claims a mandate for its extreme blueprint to restructure America, but the voters had no idea Obama would go this far, even if many of us listening closely to his statements and studying his relationships... (Townhall.com)
Freedom fighter Nov 6, 2009
" I had planned to review it, but it's almost 700 pages, and I have a day job. If I took the time to read it and then write about the whole thing, it would be weeks before I'd get it done -- and I think the book has insights that are supremely relevant to today. So I thought I'd try to blog my review, over several days, and ask for your help, if you're reading the book. Every few days I'll write about what I am learning, and anyone who's reading, or curious, can participate in comments. (We... (Salon)
Blueprint for GOP Victories Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... First, the White House let it be known that President Obama wasn't actually watching election returns, choosing instead to tune into HBO's puerile documentary about his own presidential campaign. (Townhall.com)
November's Dizzying Spin Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Good luck selling it to the families whose combined energy and health care costs could climb by as much as $8000 a year if the White House and Congress including more than a few Republicans are successful in passing Cap and a so-called Health Care Reform bill. (Townhall.com)
Election 2009: Change I Can Believe In! Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Just two days before the election, Obama was at a rally in New Jersey assuring voters that Corzine was "one of the best partners I have in the White House. We work together. ... Jon Corzine helped get this done.". (Townhall.com)
Are You with Us or with Them? Nov 6, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... This exquisitely moral White House was unmoved ... Location: AE Reply # 2 Date: Nov 6, 2009 - 4:47 AM EST Longing With this President's current record, I find myself longing for the days of the Clinton White House. (Townhall.com)
Gay Leaders Blame Obama for Loss in Maine Nov 5, 2009
"The anti-gay forces are throwing millions of dollars into various unsubtle ads aimed at scaring people, so subtle statements from the White House are not enough.". The White House, asked about the criticism, had no immediate comment. (Newsmax)
McDonnell: 1 Washington Post: 0 Nov 5, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... To win the election, McDonnell had to defeat not only the Deeds campaign, but the DNC, the White House, and The Washington Post ... In fact, three years ago, not only was the strategy wildly successful, but a case can be made that it also cleared the way for Barack Obama's ascension into the White House. (Townhall.com)
A Bad Day for the Obama White House A Good Day for the American People Nov 5, 2009
A bad day for the Obama White House but a good day for the American people. That s the easiest way to summarize the collapse of the Democratic candidates around the country yesterday. (Human Events Online)
Speaking Truth to Power Nov 5, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... Think of this as the Republican Party speaking truth to those that hold power in the White House ... The White House and the Democratic Party will attempt to maintain their composure by assuring the public that off-year elections often go to the minority party. (Townhall.com)
White House distances itself from losses Nov 5, 2009
White House distances itself from Dem losses ... WASHINGTON - The White House distanced itself Wednesday from Democratic losses in two states, saying the races for governor hinged on local issues and were not a referendum on President Barack Obama ... But White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that voters in both states went to the polls to work through "very local issues that didn't involve the president.". (MSNBC -- Politics)
Virginia, New Jersey Races Showing Voters Changing Course Nov 5, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... As the final votes were being counted, it was possible to draw some lessons from Republican Bob McDonnell's victory in Virginia and the close, three-way governor's race in New Jersey, never mind that White House press secretary Robert Gibbs has taken to saying that the elections don't mean much. (Townhall.com)
Democrat Election Ignorance is Telling Nov 5, 2009
White House ol Report Townhall ... The White House and other Democrats largely ignored the results of the special election on Tuesday, which some conservatives hailed as an indication that the left really was running scared. (Townhall.com)
Seventy-two times, Dick Cheney cant remember, he cant recall Nov 5, 2009
The Cheney interview reflects a team of prosecutors and FBI agents trying to find out whether the leaks of Plame's CIA identity were orchestrated at the highest level of the White House and carried out by, among others, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Cheney's chief of staff ... Sharing the information with Cheney was in itself an unusual step at the outset of a criminal investigation in which potential White House witnesses were being ordered by their superiors not to talk to each other about the... (Harper's Magazine)
Governor polls a blow to Obama Nov 5, 2009
The White House is counting on the votes of either one or both Maine se 00004000 nators both moderates to carry its health-care legislation but this surge in conservative attitudes could cause them to pause before crossing the floor. Anne Davies is The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's Washington correspondent. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
A referendum on Obama? Not likely Nov 5, 2009
In Virginia, the Democrat Creigh Deeds, a very weak candidate, had run away from Obama himself a stance that made the White House less than enthusiastic in its support of him ... The White House denying that New Jersey and Virginia means nothing is just so transparently laughable ... It was also the 9th straight time the voters of Virginia voted for the candidate for Governor who was of the opposite party of the guy who just won the White House. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Italians convict U.S. officials, agents in kidnapping case Nov 5, 2009
We re waiting and waiting on Health Care Reform while Harry Reid plays chicken with the White House. Time to runover the GOP and pass with50 votes and reconciliation. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
How the Obama presidency slipped from poetry to prose Nov 5, 2009
Remember all those who were convinced that George W Bush, who scraped into the White House by a Supreme Court whisker and had run as a compassionate conservative, would govern as a centrist in order to heal the wounds of division. That illusion should have been shattered within weeks. (BBC News -- Americas)
Losses send a mixed message for Obama Nov 5, 2009
Exit polls show turn-out was low among young voters and African-Americans, the core of the electorate that put Mr Obama in the White House. The fact that the races went badly for the Democrats is likely to give moderate Republicans pause on supporting controversial policies such as health-care reform. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Maine Gay Marriage Defeat May Halt Military Change Nov 5, 2009
Calls to the White House, Human Rights Campaign and Murphys office seeking comment were not immediately returned. 2009 Newsmax. (Newsmax)
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Liberals targeting moderates Nov 4, 2009
Reid unveiled his compromise after nearly two weeks of closed-door negotiations with top White House officials and key senators. His bid to give states the power to opt out of the government plan was aimed at winning support from up to 12 moderate Senate Democrats and one Republican, Maine's Olympia Snowe, who have expressed reservations about a more sweeping, nationwide public option. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Senate health-care bill would cover prayer-based treatments Nov 4, 2009
It s a present to you from California s Henry Waxman, Chairman of House Energy and Commerce and it crushes the egregious deal swung in a secret White House meeting by Rahm Emanuel and the Senate Finance Six who represented 2. 2% of the US population. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Races an early test of Obama influence Nov 4, 2009
But, given that Democrats control the White House and Congress, defeats in Virginia a new swing state in national elections or New Jersey a Democratic stronghold would be setbacks for the White House, even though both states having long histories of electing governors from a political party opposite that of the president ... He characterized the success of their candidacies as key components for the White House to make good on its political promises and advance its agenda ... It's home to a slew... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Click to read:Republicans Sweep N.J., Va. Gov. Races Nov 4, 2009
The outcomes in Virginia and New Jersey were sure to feed discussion about the state of the electorate, the status of the diverse coalition that sent Mr. Obama to the White House, and the limits of the president's influence - on the party's base of support and on moderate current lawmakers he needs to advance his legislative priorities ... So long as they are not in the senate where they have done so much damage-aided by sellout democrats-the White house did ok with big Bush ,but little Bush &... (CBS News)
Democrats Face Setbacks in Elections Nov 4, 2009
Obama also campaigned for Deeds, but as his support buckled, the White House began saying it had done all it could and pointing to polls that showed the Democrat's likely loss would not reflect on the president's popularity ... The White House suggested those developments show that hard-liners are taking over the Republican Party, and the trend will affect the 2010 elections. (CBS News)
McDonnell Wins in Va.; Close Race in N.J. Nov 4, 2009
It also was a setback for the White House in a swing state that was a crucial part of President Obama's electoral landslide just a year ago ... The White House suggested those developments show that hard-liners are taking over the Republican Party, and the trend will affect the 2010 elections. (CBS News -- Politics)
Election 2009: Test of Obama clout in NJ, Virginia Nov 4, 2009
One year after Obama won the White House in an electoral landslide and Democrats expanded their majorities in Congress, much of the focus was on Virginia and New Jersey, where Democratic control was in danger despite substantial campaigning by Obama himself. The outcomes were sure to feed discussion about the state of the electorate, the status of the diverse coalition that sent Obama to the White House and the limits of the president's influence on the party's base of support-as well as on... (NJ.com -- News)
One of these things is not like the other Nov 4, 2009
The White House had put significant effort in on Corzine's behalf (even as it prematurely), and the gubernatorial results are likely to cause at least a brief cable-TV-led freakout over What It All Means for next year's broader wave of elections. The only official word from the White House as the returns came in ... The party that holds the White House almost always loses some seats in Congress in midterm elections. (Salon)
Maine voters repeal gay-marriage law Nov 4, 2009
Nov. 4: Politics Fix: A Hardball panel discusses Tuesdays election results and how the White House will interpret the Democratic losses. Slideshow. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Health reform snarled in Senate Nov 4, 2009
WASHINGTON - In a blow to the White House, the Senate's top Democrat signaled Tuesday that Congress may fail to meet a year-end deadline for passing health-care legislation, leaving the measure's fate to the uncertainties of the 2010 election season ... spoke as Democratic officials said it could be December before Senate debate begins in earnest on the issue atop President Barack Obama's domestic agenda, months after senior lawmakers and the White House had hoped ... At the White House,... (AZCentral -- News)
Republicans Win Governor's Races in New Jersey and VirginiaDemocrats found their lone bright spot in key upstate N.Y. race. Nov 4, 2009
But the GOP gubernatorial candidate racked up huge margins among independent voters, notwithstanding the White House's efforts to boost the Democrats ... A White House spokesman told ABC's Jake Tapper that the president is not watching election results on television tonight ... "I don't think the president is looking at these and believes that they say anything about our future legislative efforts or our future political efforts," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said of the two... (ABC News)
Virginia, N.J. governor races big wins for GOP Nov 4, 2009
The outcomes were sure to feed discussion about the state of the electorate, the status of the diverse coalition that sent Obama to the White House and the limits of the president's influence. His signature issue of health-care reform was dealt a blow hours before polls closed when Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid signaled that Congress may not complete health-care legislation this year, missing Obama's deadline and pushing debate into a congressional election year. (AZCentral -- News)
An NAACP Chapter of a Different Hue Nov 4, 2009
Jealous talks about the chapter frequently, and as he deals with questions about the organization's relevance since Barack Obama was elected to the White House, he has returned here again and again. Today's trip is his third since becoming president in September 2008. (CBS News -- US)
