Obama administration

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Obama Trade Nominee Has Tax Snafu, Amends Returns

(Newser) - Ron Kirk, President Obama’s nominee for US trade representative, has some tax problems of his own, Reuters reports today, with the Senate Finance Committee estimating a liability of about $10,000; Kirk has already moved to correct the errors. The majority stem from speaking funds he passed directly to...

Clinton Signals Engagement With Syria

(Newser) - In a signal likely to be parsed all over the Middle East, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shook hands and shared “very pleasant” words today in Egypt with her Syrian counterpart, the Times reports, a meeting that did not likely happen by accident. Some think the US could try...

Why Obama's Trying to Do It All
 Why Obama's 
 Trying to Do It All 


Analysis
Mar 2, 2009 1:32 PM CST

Why Obama's Trying to Do It All

White House aides explain president's big budget strategy

(Newser) - Lately, pundits have been blasting Barack Obama for trying to do too much too quickly, but he might just know what he’s doing. White House aides, allies, and advisers clue Mike Allen of Politico into the president’s thinking:
  • He’ll never have more mojo—Obama thinks political capital
...

New Bill Looks to Topple 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Could prove a political headache for Obama

(Newser) - The controversy that derailed Bill Clinton’s first 100 days is heading for Barack Obama, Politico reports, with a California congresswoman to introduce legislation today to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Obama has made no secret of his desire to overturn the unpopular “don’...

In Middle East, Clinton Faces New Troubles
In Middle East, Clinton Faces New Troubles
ANALYSIS
Mar 2, 2009 8:42 AM CST

In Middle East, Clinton Faces New Troubles

Netanyahu, Hamas complicate Hillary's already difficult mission

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton arrived in Egypt last night, beginning her trip to the Middle East at a conference aimed at raising reconstruction money for Gaza. The secretary of state has enlisted a team of diplomats with long experience in Mideast negotiations, led by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell. But as...

Sebelius Made Little Progress on Health in Partisan Kan.

Kansas guv could get another shot as health secretary

(Newser) - As governor of Kansas, President Obama’s new pick for health secretary has plenty of experience working with Republicans—but little success pushing her health plans through the GOP-controlled legislature, the New York Times reports. If she is confirmed, she’ll have another chance to expand coverage in what could...

Two Voices, One Economic Plan
 Two Voices, One Economic Plan 
ANALYSIS
Mar 2, 2009 8:20 AM CST

Two Voices, One Economic Plan

Geithner and Summers speak loudly, cohesively, driving Obama's agenda

(Newser) - Among the policymaking din at the White House, the voices of Larry Summers and Tim Geithner have emerged as the loudest—and generally in unison, the Washington Post reports. The duo first teamed up to battle financial crises in Asia and Mexico in the mid-‘90s at the Treasury Department;...

Obama Shrewdly Opens Up White House, Boogies Down

(Newser) - When Barack Obama invited Stevie Wonder and 150 music lovers to the White House for a concert, it wasn’t just an excuse to hang out with a favorite musician. It was part of a carefully crafted political strategy to open up the White House, the New York Times reports....

Recession, War Top Brown's DC To-Do List

British PM will meet Obama, address Congress this week

(Newser) - Gordon Brown is en route to Washington, where the British prime minister will become the first foreign leader to meet with Barack Obama on American soil and address a joint session of Congress. The visit comes ahead of next month's G20 summit in London, and Brown will be looking for...

Dean: I Wanted to Be Health Sec

But ex-DNC chair says Obama's choice will do 'fine'

(Newser) - Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean says he made no secret of his desire to be in Barack Obama's Cabinet. "I was pretty clear that I would have liked to have been Secretary of Health and Human Services," he tells the Huffington Post. As for the president's pick,...

US Missiles Kill 8 Militants in Pakistan

Islamabad complains that drone strikes help Taliban

(Newser) - An American drone attack today killed at least eight militants in a Pakistani tribal area, Reuters reports. "There are 'guests' among the dead," an anonymous intelligence official says, referring to non-Pakistani militants. The missile assault struck either a house or a bunker in South Waziristan, a Pakistani Taliban...

Pepsi Likes Obama; Obama Staff Likes Coke

Staffers

(Newser) - Pepsi may love President Obama—witness its Hope campaign—but the feeling doesn’t appear to be mutual, writes Michael Scherer in Time. In the White House, Diet Coke looks to be the drink of choice, with staffers such as Larry Summers and Robert Gibbs just two notable examples. For...

Hopes High in Climate Fight as Obama Takes Lead
Hopes High in Climate Fight as Obama Takes Lead
analysis
Mar 1, 2009 11:40 AM CST

Hopes High in Climate Fight as Obama Takes Lead

US to take major role in new environmental treaty

(Newser) - The Kyoto Protocol signed more than a decade ago faced roadblocks to achieving its environmental goals—but with President Obama pushing hard on climate change, new international agreements could be much stronger, the New York Times reports. Obama has placed the US “at the forefront of the international climate...

Lefty Lobbyists Ready for Battle

(Newser) - Toughened by years in the political wilderness, liberal lobbyists are organized and ready to support President Obama on issues ranging from health care to taxing the rich, the New York Times reports. “This is no longer going to be Barack Obama standing by himself getting pilloried by the special...

White House Opens Up on Race

Obama's inner circle talks candidly about racial issues

(Newser) - In a break from the tone of the Obama campaign, members of the White House inner-circle are talking candidly about race. Eric Holder's "nation of cowards" remark caught the most attention, but Michelle Obama and  EPA chief Lisa Jackson—also the first African-American in her position—have moved the...

Clinton Heads to Mideast, Europe and Russia

Egypt, Israel and Europe all on the itinerary

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton is using her second overseas trip as the nation's top diplomat to assess peace prospects in the Middle East, reconnect with European allies, and discuss America's strained relationship with Moscow with her Russian counterpart. Clinton will begin the weeklong journey in Egypt, where she'll attend an international conference...

Combative Obama Braces for Fight on Budget

Prez backs $3.6 trillion budget in latest video

(Newser) - In his weekly radio address today, President Obama struck a more combative tone than usual in a push for his $3.6 trillion budget, reports Politico. “I know these steps won’t sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing...

Official Portrait of Michelle: Gun Show

First Lady's first formal photo highlights famous arms

(Newser) - The White House released the first official portrait of Michelle Obama today, People reports, and it calls attention to her most famous accessory. No, not the Kennedy-esque double strand of pearls—her rock-solid arms. In the photo, snapped in the Blue Room, the first lady also sports a sleek black...

Marri Faces Charges of Aiding Al-Qaeda

Indictment unsealed; transfer of 'combatant' to civilian court begins

(Newser) - The charges against Ali al-Marri include conspiracy and material support for terrorism, according to a federal indictment unsealed today. The only alleged enemy combatant held on US soil is incarcerated in a naval brig in South Carolina, where he has been held for over 5 years without being charged, and...

Vetting Process Leaves Agencies Understaffed

Stimulus increases workload, but senior posts vacant

(Newser) - President Obama’s nominee vetting process is making it hard for federal agencies to get to work on new projects, the Boston Globe reports. Of about 500 senior positions, only 70 have been filled. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem, but the passage of the stimulus package “may...

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