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Don't Forget About the Other Jesse Helms

OPINION

Jul 5, 2008 1:17 PM CDT

Don't Forget About the Other Jesse Helms

Right-wing senator hired blacks and battled AIDS with Bono

(Newser) - Many remember Jesse Helms as an unflinching bigot who fought civil rights and foreign aid, but the former North Carolina senator also softened some views and befriended Bono, John Hunt writes in the Wall Street Journal. “Contrary to his reputation, Helms did change his mind,” Hunt notes: He...

The Youngest Brother Is
His Own Man

OPINiON

May 21, 2008 2:24 PM CDT

The Youngest Brother Is His Own Man

Yes, he's a Kennedy, but Ted is loved for effectiveness, not flash

(Newser) - Ted Kennedy's malignant brain tumor adds yet another chapter to the tragic epic of the Kennedy clan, Robert Kaiser writes in the Washington Post. The youngest of Joe Kennedy's sons got a huge boost from his older brothers when he entered politics, Kaiser notes, but he built his legacy of...

Kennedy Has
Malignant
Brain Tumor

May 20, 2008 12:19 PM CDT

Kennedy Has Malignant Brain Tumor

Senator's prognosis uncertain; treatment may include chemo, radiation

(Newser) - Sen. Ted Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, CNN reports. The 76-year-old senator has a glioma, the most common brain cancer in adults. Kennedy will spend at least 2 more days at the Boston hospital where he's been undergoing extensive tests since suffering two seizures Saturday at...

Kennedy Diagnosis
Still in Works

May 20, 2008 8:39 AM CDT

Kennedy Diagnosis Still in Works

Explanation could come today as senator remains in Boston hospital

(Newser) - Sen. Ted Kennedy remains in a Boston hospital today, four days after a seizure whose cause remains undiagnosed, the Herald reports. Results of medical tests done on the 76-year-old Democrat are expected today; Kennedy is likely to stay at Massachusetts General for a few more days before returning to his...

Ohio's 'Senator No' Metzenbaum Dead at 90

OBIT

Mar 13, 2008 3:20 AM CDT

Ohio's 'Senator No' Metzenbaum Dead at 90

Crusading Democrat took on big business in long Senate career

(Newser) - Former Ohio senator Howard Metzenbaum has died at home at the age of 90, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Democrat, his views shaped by the Great Depression and FDR's policies, fought hard for the rights of workers during a political career that began in 1943. Colleagues nicknamed the self-made...

Oil-Rich Iraq Should Fund Reconstruction, Say Senators

Mar 9, 2008 2:34 PM CDT

Oil-Rich Iraq Should Fund Reconstruction, Say Senators

US taxpayers are footing bill instead

(Newser) - Why isn't an Iraq that's rolling in oil dollars funding its own reconstruction? senators Carl Levin of Michigan and John Warner of Virginia want to know. The Armed Services' Committee honchos wrote the Government Accountability Office saying Iraq is doing little to help itself despite a projected $100 billion in...

Clinton, Obama Equally Adept
at Policy Shifts

Feb 25, 2008 8:32 PM CST

Clinton, Obama Equally Adept at Policy Shifts

Flip-flopping can kill a campaign, but everyone does it, say experts

(Newser) - They've escaped the dreaded "flip-flopper" label, but both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have changed positions on various issues in the course of their campaigns. Appearing absolutely consistent is especially hard for senators, reports the Washington Post, because they have thousands of votes to explain, and many are the...

Senators Fly Solo, Foiling Bush Move

Jan 1, 2008 2:05 PM CST

Senators Fly Solo, Foiling Bush Move

Seconds-long sessions continue, preventing recess appointments

(Newser) - A contentious Justice Department nomination lies behind Harry Reid's plan to keep the Senate in session over the holidays, if only for seconds at a time. Dems offered to give the White House a pass on a slew of other recess appointments in exchange for putting controversial terrorism expert Steven...

The Hill Has Recess, But It's No Fun

Dec 26, 2007 2:16 PM CST

The Hill Has Recess, But It's No Fun

Seconds-long Senate sessions stave off controversial appointments

(Newser) - Democrats in Congress are keeping a watchful eye on President Bush and preventing him from making any appointments during the monthlong holiday recess. The strategy requires the Senate to be in session every couple of days—even if only for a few seconds. On Friday, the Politico reports, the Senate...

Lawmaker Probes TV Preachers

Nov 7, 2007 8:18 AM CST

Lawmaker Probes TV Preachers

Says ritzy ways sparked inquiry into six ministries

(Newser) - A top Republican lawmaker is probing six televangelists who have put their opulent lifestyles on display, the AP reports. Rolls Royces, private jets, and a $30,000 table are among the luxuries that sparked Sen. Chuck Grassley's inquiry, he said yesterday. "I don't want to conclude that there's a...

GOP Lashes Out at Craig Over Decision to Stay

Oct 5, 2007 4:55 PM CDT

GOP Lashes Out at Craig Over Decision to Stay

Republican lawmakers consider Idaho senator an embarrassment

(Newser) - The GOP is an uproar after Larry Craig announced yesterday that he will serve out his term, CNN reports. Some are criticizing the Idaho senator's decision because it will be a distraction from more pressing issues; others denounce Craig's behavior outright. "It's embarrassing for the Senate. It's embarrassing for...

GOP Pillar Domenici Retiring From Senate

Oct 4, 2007 4:17 AM CDT

GOP Pillar Domenici Retiring From Senate

Hungry Democrats eye New Mexico seat

(Newser) - Senior New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici is expected to announce today that he won't seek reelection next year. The Republican lawmaker, 75, has been in the Senate for 35 years—six terms. His retirement sparks renewed hope among Democrats that they could capture a key seat in a state where...

Leahy to Act in Batman Flick

Aug 20, 2007 2:25 AM CDT

Leahy to Act in Batman Flick

He won't be in tights

(Newser) - Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, a long-time Batman aficionado, will play a role in the upcoming Batman movie, "The Dark Knight." And while President Bush and some members of the GOP may think he has the title role, he plays only a small part as a "distinguished gentleman....

Obama: the Accidental Candidate

Aug 12, 2007 7:58 AM CDT

Obama: the Accidental Candidate

Dem rose with dizzying speed on a cascade of lucky breaks

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s rapid ascent to top-tier presidential candidate was the stuff of lucky break after lucky break, as quiet charisma and other people’s sex scandals catapulted him to the top, the Washington Post reports. It was a chance opening that first took him to Chicago and chance again...

Dems Should Throw Joe Overboard

Aug 4, 2007 6:20 PM CDT

Dems Should Throw Joe Overboard

Lieberman does party more harm than good, columnist claims

(Newser) - Senate Democrats wouldn’t be in the majority if Joe Lieberman didn’t caucus with them, but maybe they’d be better off, the New York Observer’s Steve Kornacki argues. Kornacki says the Independent senator embarrasses Dems by siding with the enemy and accusing them of being terrorist coddlers....

Senators Pitch Regional Primary Days

Jul 31, 2007 3:15 PM CDT

Senators Pitch Regional Primary Days

Plan would prevent current race to the top of the calendar

(Newser) - Three senators—a Democrat, an Independent and a Republican—have proposed a radical reinvention of the now-hopelessly-congested presidential primary system. To avoid states racing to the top of the calendar, it would establish four regions, each assigned its own voting day. Drafted by Amy Klobuchar, Joe Lieberman, and Lamar Alexander,...

FBI Raids Alaska Senator's Home

Jul 31, 2007 4:39 AM CDT

FBI Raids Alaska Senator's Home

Feds probe politician's ties to oil contractor in corruption probe

(Newser) - FBI and IRS agents raided the vacation home of Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska yesterday, seeking records of his relationship with a oil field contractor jailed in a corruption probe, AP reports. The contractor profited from tens of millions of dollars in federal contracts and also supervised the renovation...

Schumer Bucks Party on Wall
St. Tax Hikes

Jul 30, 2007 3:07 PM CDT

Schumer Bucks Party on Wall St. Tax Hikes

Leading Dem torn between monied base, middle class

(Newser) - Rejecting populist piety, Chuck Schumer is opposing legislation that would double tax rates for private equity and hedge fund executives, arguing that he’s torn over the measures but contending that they unfairly target an industry critical to his constituency. The New York Times reports the senator, the only Democrat...

Hagel, Snowe Jump Ship

Jul 11, 2007 4:14 PM CDT

Hagel, Snowe Jump Ship

Number of GOP defectors backing withdrawal plan climbs to 3

(Newser) - Two more Republican senators crossed party lines today to back legislation that calls for the US to start pulling out of Iraq within 4 months and withdraw by April. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Maine's Olympia Snowe of Maine signed on on as co-sponsors of the measure, along with Oregon's...

La. Senator Caught Dialing DC Madam

Jul 10, 2007 1:33 PM CDT

La. Senator Caught Dialing DC Madam

Republican apologizes for "very serious sin" after escort-service revelation

(Newser) - Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter atoned yesterday for a "very serious sin in my past," after his telephone number turned up on the scandal-soaked call logs of Deborah Jeane Palfrey. The so-called DC Madam was forced to denude the records of her million-dollar escort service last week.