BeltwayBlips - Latest Political News Articles

A Rebuke, but No Penalty, for an Illinois Senator

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:45:50 +0000

The committee finds that a senator had been less than candid in statements on his dealings with associates of the Illinois governor, who was later forced from office.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Democratic National Committee, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich

Honduras de facto leader says will step aside

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:23:54 +0000

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduras's post-coup de facto leader said on Friday he would give up his presidential duties for a week, a step Washington welcomed as a way to help ease a five-month-old political crisis.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: World, Honduras, Washington, D.C

Obama: Asia trip part of U.S. jobs push

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:58 +0000

In his weekly address, President Obama says he "will go anywhere” in pursuit of economic growth and jobs.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama

U. of Nebraska Defeats Tighter Limits on Stem Cell Research

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:06:03 +0000

The effort had been seen by opponents as a possible new front in the national debate over the matter.

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Upper-Bracket Tax May Be Needed for Afghan War Cost, Levin Says (Bloomberg)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Bloomberg - Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Higher-income Americans should be taxed to pay for more troops sent to Afghanistan and NATO should provide half of the new soldiers, said Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Afghanistan, Carl Levin, Michael Bloomberg

New Consensus Sees Stimulus Package as Worthy Step

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:54:23 +0000

A variety of economists say that economic stimulus legislation is helping an economy in free fall a year ago to grow again and shed fewer jobs than it otherwise would.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Stimulus Plan, Economic Meltdown, United States, Barack Obama, Foreclosure Crisis

Troubled V.A. Agency Will Get a New Chief

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:46:31 +0000

The official responsible for the problem-plagued disability compensation system at the Department of Veterans Affairs will resign early next year, the department announced Friday.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

Nebraska Senator Will Vote to Start Health Debate

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:38:11 +0000

Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, one of three wavering Democrats, said Friday that he would vote to start debate on a giant health care bill.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Bill Nelson, Republican National Committee

GOP: Breast exams show 'rationing'

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:30:33 +0000

Current events are playing into public fears about a bigger government role in health care.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

California's Newsom Faces Headwinds

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:59:15 +0000

Gavin Newsom, the telegenic San Francisco mayor, said he is planning to remain in public service for his career despite a string of recent political setbacks.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

Jobless Rate Up in 29 States, Hitting Records in 4 of Them

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:56:38 +0000

Michigan had the highest jobless rate at 15.1 percent, followed by Nevada at 13 percent and Rhode Island at 12.9 percent.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: World, United States

G.O.P. Report Connects Official to Fiancé’s Case

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:51:36 +0000

A report released by Republicans in Congress said that a school chancellor in Washington intervened on behalf of her fiancé, who was under investigation by the AmeriCorps.

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GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:48:48 +0000

AP - Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care — and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama

Health bill opponents make most of mammogram advisory

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:43:29 +0000

As a health reform bill endorsed by President Obama marches toward its first Senate floor vote on Saturday, his opponents stepped up efforts to define the legislation as big-government ambition run amok that will interfere with intimate medical decisions and threaten the pocketbooks of average ta...

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress

US lawmakers press on Taiwan arms sales (AFP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:12:05 +0000

AFP - Supporters of Taiwan in the US Congress pushed for President Barack Obama to move toward selling arms to the island, a step that would likely set back warming US ties with China.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: World, Taiwan, Barack Obama, China

Senate Democrats eye key US health care victory (AFP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:04:59 +0000

AFP - Democrats in the US Senate strove to lock down support to prevail in a landmark first test vote of President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, remaking the US health care system.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama, Health care

Obama Afghan decision to come after Thanksgiving (AFP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:27:32 +0000

AFP - President Barack Obama will wait until after Americans mark Thanksgiving on November 26 to announce whether or not he sends reinforcements to Afghanistan, his spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama, Afghanistan, Robert Gibbs

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:14:09 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad reform bill one day before its first crucial test.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other, Washington, D.C

US to drop shooting case against Blackwater guard (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:13 +0000

AP - The Justice Department intends to drop manslaughter and weapons charges against one of the Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, prosecutors said in court documents Friday.

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Army to allow media to Palin book event

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:48:24 +0000

The U.S. Army has reversed itself and says it will open former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's appearance on Fort Bragg to media.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, U.S. Army, Sarah Palin

Strains in Party Threatens Democrats

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:40:29 +0000

The Democratic Party's broad ruling coalition is starting to fracture as lawmakers come under increasing pressure from the left to respond to voter anger over joblessness and Wall Street bailouts.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other, Democratic National Committee

Moderate Dems pivotal in Saturday health care vote (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:34:37 +0000

AP - Suitably opaque, Section 2006 takes up only a few dozen lines in a sweeping health care bill that runs to 2,074 pages and mentions neither Sen. Mary Landrieu nor her state of Louisiana.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other, Democratic National Committee, Health care

California's Newsom May Quit Politics

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:25:55 +0000

Gavin Newsom, the telegenic San Francisco mayor, is mulling leaving politics after his term ends following a string of political setbacks.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

Burris reproved by Senate ethics panel

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:13:39 +0000

Sen. Roland W. Burris (D-Ill.) has been admonished by the Senate ethics committee for his public comments about his controversial appointment to the seat previously held by President Obama.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress

Army relents, will allow media at Palin book event (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:10:35 +0000

AP - The U.S. Army has reversed its position and now says it will open Sarah Palin's appearance on Fort Bragg to media despite fears the event will turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, U.S. Army, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama

Nelson to Vote to Advance Health Bill

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:42:34 +0000

Sen. Nelson said he will vote to advance the Senate health-care bill in a crucial procedural vote, the first of three Democratic holdouts to back the measure.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Bill Nelson

Levin: Fort Hood probe may reveal more e-mails (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:38:35 +0000

AP - There may be additional e-mails that could have tipped off law enforcement or military officials to the Fort Hood shooter before he went on his deadly rampage, the chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee said Friday.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

U.S. Enlists Allies in New Surge

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:30:11 +0000

The U.S. and NATO are in talks for a coordinated rollout of a new Afghan strategy that could include a European commitment to send thousands of additional troops.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

Billboard links Obama with jihadists

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:56 +0000

A billboard showing President Barack Obama wearing a turban has sparked a lot of attention at the suburban Denver used car dealership that put it up.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama

Auto bailout still a sore spot for GOP

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:11:23 +0000

Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) traded barbs this week over Chrysler's fate.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Gary Peters, John McCain, Bailout Plan

Levin: May be more troubling emails from Hasan (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:49:20 +0000

AP - There may be additional e-mails that could have tipped off law enforcement or military officials to the Fort Hood shooter before he went on his rampage, a top senator said Friday.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

FAA says equipment outage caused 819 flight delays (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:48:20 +0000

AP - The Federal Aviation Administration is blaming an equipment outage this week for delaying 819 flights.

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Ex-State Dept official pleads guilty to spying for Cuba

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:46:35 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former U.S. State Department official and his wife pleaded guilty on Friday to charges that they spied for almost three decades for the Communist-led Cuban government.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: World, Washington, D.C, Cuba

Bishops slam 'unacceptable' health care bill

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:44:15 +0000

Washington (CNN)– The US Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a strongly worded letter to members of the US Senate Friday, terming the abortion language in the Senate Democrats' health care bill "completely unacceptable." "The new Senate bill is an enormous disappointment, creating new and completely unacceptable federal policy that endangers human life and rights of conscience," reads the letter obtained by CNN Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh. The bishops proved their power in the House, when, following direct negotiations with the House Speaker, they forced House Democratic leaders to allow a vote on the Stupak amendment, which introduced firmer restrictions on abortion funding. The language in the Senate bill regarding abortion coverage is not as specific as the House bill passed earlier this month. In their letter to the Senate, the bishops ask for a similar measure to be added. "Specifically, we urge you to include the House-passed provision that keeps in place the ...

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Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:31:58 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50 percent in a second major poll in an indication he is suffering from the long healthcare debate and weakness in the economy, Gallup said on Friday.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama, Washington, D.C, Gallup Poll, Approval Ratings

Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent (Reuters)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:31:58 +0000

Reuters - President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50 percent in a second major poll in an indication he is suffering from the long healthcare debate and weakness in the economy, Gallup said on Friday.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama, Gallup Poll, Approval Ratings

Stores try to max out on Palin visits

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:18:58 +0000

With 29 announced stops, that adds up to at least 72,500 copies of her book - just from the stores she is visiting.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Max Baucus, Sarah Palin

Colo. billboard links Obama with jihadists (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:25 +0000

AP - A billboard showing President Barack Obama wearing a turban has sparked a lot of attention at the suburban Denver used car dealership that put it up.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama

Is imam a terror recruiter or just an incendiary preacher? (McClatchy Newspapers)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - CAIRO, Egypt — The Yemeni-American imam who's been under renewed scrutiny after the deadly shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, preaches against alcohol, birthday parties, black magic and extramarital sex. He also supports armed struggle — jihad — against the U.S. military in Afghanistan and Iraq, and has encouraged extremist insurgents in Pakistan and Somalia.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: World, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia

GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:10:21 +0000

AP - Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care — and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama

Levin: May be more troubling e-mails from Hasan (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:05:16 +0000

AP - A Democratic senator says there may be additional e-mails that could have tipped off law enforcement or military officials to the Fort Hood shooter before he went on his rampage.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

Two Southern moderates key to Saturday vote

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:51 +0000

Landrieu and Lincoln hold the keys to the kingdom.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Blanche Lincoln

Lawmaker asks people to stop complaining, and gets an earful (McClatchy Newspapers)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:46:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — Rep. Emanuel Cleaver wanted people to stop complaining for a day and count their blessings.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Washington, D.C, Emanuel Cleaver

Senators Aim to Restore Highway Funds

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:34:26 +0000

Senators from both parties are pushing to free up billions of dollars for federal highway projects, as Congress looks to infrastructure investment to combat double-digit unemployment.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

National Family Week: A Partisan Message?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:28:51 +0000

By Louise Radnofsky Washington Wire loves presidential proclamations, in which the commander-in-chief “by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States” declares a given time for a national celebration of causes often obscure or vague. This Friday, we note the just-passed National Entrepreneurship Week and America Recycles Day, and look forward to National Farm-City Week, National Family Week and National Childs Day. It’s always fun to see the administration slip in a partisan message — or two. In case you missed it, here is today’s plug for the economic stimulus package and the health care overhaul bill in the proclamation for National Family Week: “My Administration is committed to helping American families meet the demands of modern life, increase their self-sufficiency, and achieve their full potential… the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides a broad spectrum of support to families ...

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Week Ahead: Saturday Night Fever

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:20:00 +0000

THE WEEK AHEAD: Congress is back for another Saturday night health care vote, Obama's first state dinner, Palin's tour continues, plus a special peek inside the First Read Man Cave with a special goateed guest. Happy Thanksgiving. Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy See how many sports team/memorabilia items you can spot! Win fun prizes (not!)...( read more )

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin

Obama Afghan decision to come after Thanksgiving (AFP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:14:56 +0000

AFP - President Barack Obama will wait until after Americans mark Thanksgiving on November 26 to announce whether or not he sends reinforcements to Afghanistan, his spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, Barack Obama, Afghanistan, Robert Gibbs

White House Seeks Broad Climate Plan

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:55:11 +0000

The Obama administration's top climate adviser called for "comprehensive energy reform" and threw cold water on the idea of mandating reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions only for electric utilities.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other

McCain predicts success in Afghanistan in 12-18 months (AFP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:48:34 +0000

AFP - US Senator John McCain predicted an allied win in Afghanistan in one year to 18 months if sufficient troops are sent, as the White House mulls sending tens of thousands of reinforcements.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: World, Afghanistan, John McCain

BeltwayBlips - Latest Political News Articles

A Rebuke, but No Penalty, for an Illinois Senator

Honduras de facto leader says will step aside

Obama: Asia trip part of U.S. jobs push

U. of Nebraska Defeats Tighter Limits on Stem Cell Research

Upper-Bracket Tax May Be Needed for Afghan War Cost, Levin Says (Bloomberg)

New Consensus Sees Stimulus Package as Worthy Step

Troubled V.A. Agency Will Get a New Chief

Nebraska Senator Will Vote to Start Health Debate

GOP: Breast exams show 'rationing'

California's Newsom Faces Headwinds

Jobless Rate Up in 29 States, Hitting Records in 4 of Them

G.O.P. Report Connects Official to Fiancé’s Case

GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care (AP)

Health bill opponents make most of mammogram advisory

US lawmakers press on Taiwan arms sales (AFP)

Senate Democrats eye key US health care victory (AFP)

Obama Afghan decision to come after Thanksgiving (AFP)

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill

US to drop shooting case against Blackwater guard (AP)

Army to allow media to Palin book event

Strains in Party Threatens Democrats

Moderate Dems pivotal in Saturday health care vote (AP)

California's Newsom May Quit Politics

Burris reproved by Senate ethics panel

Army relents, will allow media at Palin book event (AP)

Nelson to Vote to Advance Health Bill

Levin: Fort Hood probe may reveal more e-mails (AP)

U.S. Enlists Allies in New Surge

Billboard links Obama with jihadists

Auto bailout still a sore spot for GOP

Levin: May be more troubling emails from Hasan (AP)

FAA says equipment outage caused 819 flight delays (AP)

Ex-State Dept official pleads guilty to spying for Cuba

Bishops slam 'unacceptable' health care bill

Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent

Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent (Reuters)

Top House Democrat questions 9/11 criminal trials

Stores try to max out on Palin visits

Colo. billboard links Obama with jihadists (AP)

Is imam a terror recruiter or just an incendiary preacher? (McClatchy Newspapers)

GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care (AP)

Levin: May be more troubling e-mails from Hasan (AP)

Two Southern moderates key to Saturday vote

Lawmaker asks people to stop complaining, and gets an earful (McClatchy Newspapers)

Senators Aim to Restore Highway Funds

National Family Week: A Partisan Message?

Week Ahead: Saturday Night Fever

Obama Afghan decision to come after Thanksgiving (AFP)

White House Seeks Broad Climate Plan

McCain predicts success in Afghanistan in 12-18 months (AFP)