In the Loop: AT


Posted at 12:59 PM ET, 05/21/2013

France, Spain among top congressional destinations, report finds
By Emily Heil
A report finds lovely destinations like France and Spain were among the tops for travelling lawmakers.

By Emily Heil  |  12:59 PM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 05/21/2013

Obama White House policy: ‘Don’t tell Dad’
By Al Kamen
Seems President Obama was just about the only one in town who didn’t know of IRS probe.

By Al Kamen  |  12:16 PM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obama, IRS, Watergate, Howard Baker, Tea Party, Denis McDonough, Mark Childress, Jack Lew, Mark Patterson, Treasury, IG, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 09:58 AM ET, 05/21/2013

Scalia questions CTIA’s ‘secret’ identity
By Emily Heil
The Supreme Court justice cracks an obscure joke.

By Emily Heil  |  09:58 AM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/21/2013

At the Park Service, a DIY approach to trash hauling
By Emily Heil
In a victory for the small-government types, the Park Service is outsourcing trash removal at some local sites — to visitors.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 05/20/2013

Sapiro moving up to be acting U.S Trade Rep
By Al Kamen
Deputy U.S. Trade Rep. Miriam Sapiro said to be taking over pending confirmation of pending nominee.

By Al Kamen  |  02:10 PM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 05/20/2013

Rumsfeld’s Rules: ‘Leadership lessons’ on war and life
By Al Kamen
The former defense secretary opines on most all things.

By Al Kamen  |  12:00 PM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Don Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules, Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, Rahm Emanuel, Seneca, Jon Stewart, Machiavelli, Iraq, Tonkin Gulf, WMD, Panama, James Brudenell, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 02:55 PM ET, 05/17/2013

Obama fills jobs under streamlined process
By Al Kamen
Streamlined federal job appointments process showing results.

By Al Kamen  |  02:55 PM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 05/17/2013

Did Sarah Palin have her own Umbrellagate?
By Al Kamen
Sarah Palin weighs in. Does she remember Lancaster, Pa.?

By Al Kamen  |  11:56 AM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Palin, Obama, umbrella, Turkey, Erdogan, umbrellagate, Scandalous, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 03:43 PM ET, 05/16/2013

Senate confirms Moniz as secretary of energy
By Al Kamen
Former MIT scientist and professor approved unanimously, 97 to 0.

By Al Kamen  |  03:43 PM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Washingtonintransition, transition

Posted at 01:02 PM ET, 05/16/2013

Benghazi! IRS! Government spying on the press!
By Al Kamen
Which of these stories might damage President Obama the most?

By Al Kamen  |  01:02 PM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Benghazi, IRS, phone records, Dick Cheney, Hannity, Pew Research, Andrew Kohut, Public Policy Polling, Libya, Egpt, Cuba, Iran, Holder, Obama, Iran-Contra, Victoria Nuland, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/16/2013

Obama’s books earn big bucks. Biden’s, well . . .
By Al Kamen
It’s hard to beat the audience for presidential memoirs.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Promises to Keep, Audacity of Hope, Dreams from My Father, royalties, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 03:42 PM ET, 05/15/2013

VA deputy secretary Scott Gould departs Friday
By Al Kamen
The agency’s No. 2 had been in the post for four years.

By Al Kamen  |  03:42 PM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 01:29 PM ET, 05/15/2013

Kerry team starting to fill in at State
By Al Kamen
Department veteran and top National Security Council aide Danny Russel is tapped for East Asia post.

By Al Kamen  |  01:29 PM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 10:41 AM ET, 05/15/2013

Pelosi aide joins Facebook’s D.C. lobby shop
By Al Kamen
Catlin O’Neill, chief of staff in Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office, joins the social media giant

By Al Kamen  |  10:41 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/15/2013

Asian Americans looking to up administration jobs
By Al Kamen
Groups urge Obama to boost numbers in senior posts.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Asian Americans, Obama, appointees, Valerie Jarrett, Cecilia Munoz, Tina Chen, Paulette Aniskoff, Obama cabinet, Pacific Islanders, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, Intheloop

Posted at 11:49 AM ET, 05/14/2013

Kerry faces climate, spying, smoking in Sweden
By Al Kamen
Arctic Circle meeting may include a grumpier than usual Russian diplomat.

By Al Kamen  |  11:49 AM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Biden, Hagel, World War II, NATO, Afghanistan, Kerry, Arctic, Stockholm, Kiruna, Lavrov, spy, Moscow, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/14/2013

New State Department briefer on the podium
By Al Kamen
Former White House aide Jen Psaki tries levity with State Department reporters

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Psaki, State Department, spokeswoman, briefing, joke, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 05/13/2013

John Kerry’s brother Cam is ‘Mr. Secretary’ too
By Al Kamen
Cameron Kerry named acting Commerce Secretary.

By Al Kamen  |  12:23 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/13/2013

Dodd-Frank reform act: how it happened
By Al Kamen
A new book, Act of Congress, tells how Congress responded to the Great Crash of 2008.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Act of Congress, Dodd-Frank, Robert Kaiser, Dodd, Frank, financial reform, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 05/10/2013

Loop Quiz! Name Obama 2009 Cabinet withdrawals
By Al Kamen
Quick Loop Quiz: which three Cabinet nominees withdrew in 2009?

By Al Kamen  |  12:00 PM ET, 05/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obama, Cabinet, nominees, withdrawal, quiz, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/10/2013

Key Cabinet jobs still open
By Al Kamen
While most of the Cabinet jobs are filled or have nominees, nearly half the deputy slots are open.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 11:44 AM ET, 05/09/2013

State official put on leave after Benghazi attack turned to poetry
By Emily Heil
A State Department official put on leave after the deadly attack pens a poem.

By Emily Heil  |  11:44 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Twitter legal director to White House tech post
By Al Kamen
Silicon Valley lawyer Nicole Wong is in line to be senior adviser to the White House chief technology officer.

By Al Kamen  |  11:30 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 10:59 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Can Harry Reid and Pete Domenici make up?
By Emily Heil
The Senate Majority Leader is angry at his former colleague for fathering a child out of wedlock decades ago.

By Emily Heil  |  10:59 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:31 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Delays on Perez; military uniforms; and about that Benghazi thing (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, the Senate is slow on the nomination of Tom Perez; the “chicks dig it” factor on military uniforms; and about that Benghazi hearing.

By Emily Heil  |  10:31 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/09/2013

DOI official overspent on Washington detail, IG says
By Emily Heil
An inspector general’s report paints an unflattering picture of Jeanette Hanna, an Interior department official detailed to Washington.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:56 PM ET, 05/08/2013

Call from Clinton aide on attacks on U.S. compounds in Libya not ‘good news’
By Emily Heil
An embassy official testifies about a phone call from SecState Hillary Clinton’s top aide.

By Emily Heil  |  02:56 PM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:56 PM ET, 05/08/2013

What are the details of Eric Holder’s trip to New Zealand? Hard to determine.
By Al Kamen
The Justice Department declines to provide specifics of Atty. Gen. Eric Holder’s trip to New Zealand.

By Al Kamen  |  12:56 PM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:16 AM ET, 05/08/2013

Mark Sanford’s guide to Washington: Argentinian steaks, hiking and a spot to watch the Super Bowl
By Emily Heil
The Loop suggests spots around town the new congressman might visit, including Argentinian restaurants and great hiking trails.

By Emily Heil  |  11:16 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/08/2013

TSA knife rule: would an airborne fistfight been worse?
By Al Kamen
A fistfight on an American Airlines flight sparked concerns about a move to allow small knives on planes.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 05/07/2013

Fast and Furious official lands new gig
By Al Kamen
Jason Weinstein lands post at white-shoe law firm Steptoe & Johnson.

By Al Kamen  |  04:57 PM ET, 05/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Jason Weinstein, Steptoe & Johnson, Reid Weingarten, Eric Holder, Fast and Furious, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/07/2013

Intelligence reform: Why it’s 1945 all over again
By Emily Heil
The presidential memo that presaged the current debate over “stovepipes.”

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:51 PM ET, 05/06/2013

Dino skeleton returned to Mongolia
By Emily Heil
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials return a purloined dinosaur skeleton to Mongolia.

By Emily Heil  |  01:51 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:34 PM ET, 05/06/2013

Obama’s Cabinet diversity still bests Reagan’s
By Al Kamen
But some groups unhappy with fewer minorities in second term.

By Al Kamen  |  01:34 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obama, cabinet, diversity, Kirkpatrick, Cavazos, Clinton, Reagan, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 05/06/2013

Deputy to NSA Donilon: a sweet stepping stone
By Emily Heil
What’s the best stepping stone in Washington? It might be deputy to National Security Advisor Tom Donilon.

By Emily Heil  |  12:00 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 05/06/2013

HRC ‘disappointed’ with no gay Cabinet appointment
By Emily Heil
The Human Rights Campaign bemoans the lack of LGBT members in Obama’s circle of top advisers.

By Emily Heil  |  09:14 AM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:39 AM ET, 05/03/2013

Obama’s second-term Cabinet in one graphic
By Emily Heil
Who’s in the inner circle, and what the diversity breakdown looks like.

By Emily Heil  |  10:39 AM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013

Beirne lands a West Wing office
By Al Kamen
Katie Beirne, a top Senate aide, is moving in as White House deputy communications director.

By Al Kamen  |  09:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013

Inboxes at VA overflow from ‘reply all’ storm
By Emily Heil
E-mail inboxes clog up with responses to a test e-mail that range from irate to smart-alecky.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:04 PM ET, 05/02/2013

Obama’s second-term Cabinet: Fewer women, minorities
By Emily Heil and Al Kamen
With the addition of two more nominees, Obama’s second-term Cabinet is less diverse than his first.

By Emily Heil and Al Kamen  |  12:04 PM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/02/2013

State Department public diplomacy post still unfilled
By Al Kamen
Sources said Charles Rivkin was likely pick for job — State Department says not happening.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 02:58 PM ET, 05/01/2013

Jackson Lee’s $20K airfare
By Emily Heil
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s travel costs for a trip to Asia were nearly $20,000.

By Emily Heil  |  02:58 PM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 05/01/2013

Wintour in Paris Embassy?
By Al Kamen
Vogue editor may be the pick after mega-bundler Marc Lasry’s withdrawal.

By Al Kamen  |  12:15 PM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/01/2013

Feingold headed to State Department?
By Al Kamen
Former three-term Sen. Russ Feingold may be named special envoy to troubled Central African region.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 03:17 PM ET, 04/30/2013

Mitt Romney wants you to get married in your 20s (also, get a ‘quiver full’ of kids)
By Emily Heil
The former GOP candidate gives a commencement address extolling the benefits of marriage (in your 20s) and a ‘quiver full’ of kids.

By Emily Heil  |  03:17 PM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 04/30/2013

Biden’s poetic license
By Al Kamen
The vice president oft misattributes well-known poetry.

By Al Kamen  |  02:10 PM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:01 PM ET, 04/30/2013

Anthony Foxx will be youngest Cabinet secretary
By Emily Heil
The Charlotte mayor gets picked to be transportation secretary on his 42nd birthday. If confirmed, he’ll be the youngest secretary — and one of the youngest in recent history.

By Emily Heil  |  12:01 PM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013

DOI’s number two David Hayes stepping down
By Emily Heil
The department’s energy guru and number-two guy is heading to the west coast for a gig at Stanford Law.

By Emily Heil  |  11:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013

Lugar’s got one medal, one’s on the way . . .
By Al Kamen
Former Indiana lawmaker knighted by the Brits, gets Grand Cross from Germans, French can’t be far off.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Lugal, Dick Lugar, knighted, British, Westmacott, Queen Elizabeth, Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany, Guido Westerwelle, Peter Ammon, Legion of Honor, NATO, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 03:13 PM ET, 04/29/2013

Lasry drops out of running for ambassadorship
By Al Kamen
Hedge fund billionaire cites business reasons for not taking job in Paris.

By Al Kamen  |  03:13 PM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 02:26 PM ET, 04/26/2013

Air Force Secretary Donley stepping down
By Emily Heil
Michael Donley will leave the service in June after overseeing reductions in personnel.

By Emily Heil  |  02:26 PM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:12 PM ET, 04/26/2013

Obama sends JFK on an odd journey
By Al Kamen
Speech at Bush Library rerouted Kennedy’s retreat from Vienna Summit with Khrushchev.

By Al Kamen  |  02:12 PM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:19 PM ET, 04/26/2013

Paris is open! Update those resumes.
By Al Kamen
Obama pick, hedge-funder and mega- bundler Marc Lasry, has withdrawn from consideration.

By Al Kamen  |  01:19 PM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:21 AM ET, 04/26/2013

A technical bill, and a chance for Congress to gab about baseball
By Emily Heil
The most technical bill ever is a chance for lawmakers to praise America’s pastime.

By Emily Heil  |  11:21 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:42 PM ET, 04/25/2013

FEC ruling on gay couples prompts Dickens quote
By Emily Heil
The commission’s ruling banning joint donations from gay couples prompts a Dickensian quote from the chair.

By Emily Heil  |  01:42 PM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 04/25/2013

Pols’ pay not huge but perks are excellent
By Al Kamen
A 12-day, expense-paid, fact-finding trip to India can be part of the job.

By Al Kamen  |  01:30 PM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  India, codel, Boehner, Shock, Lummis, McMorris Rodgers, congressional, travel, National Indian American Public Policy Institute, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 04/25/2013

Who’s got ‘GOP SPIN’?
By Emily Heil
We find the Virginia woman whose license plates announce her (former) profession.

By Emily Heil  |  12:14 PM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/25/2013

More Cabinet members cut pay as furloughs hit
By Al Kamen
An updated list of who’s donating and who’s not.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester, furloughs, Obama, cabinet, donate, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 03:31 PM ET, 04/24/2013

More State Department senior officials exiting
By Al Kamen
Undersecretaries for economic and energy matters and public diplomacy and public affairs leaving in summer.

By Al Kamen  |  03:31 PM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 04/24/2013

Olympia Snowe’s new book describes bruising business of being a moderate Republican
By Emily Heil
The former Maine senator calls for civility and (mostly) refrains from dishing on her former colleagues.

By Emily Heil  |  01:30 PM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:55 PM ET, 04/24/2013

Weiner touts brochure — but its imagery may not help his cause
By Emily Heil
The former New York congressman’s brochure might remind voters of the scandal he’d like to put behind him.

By Emily Heil  |  12:55 PM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/24/2013

Is the immigration bill a long read? Shorter than most Harry Potter novels
By Emily Heil
While Sen. Cruz moans that it’s a lengthy tome, it’s really no longer than most Harry Potter novels.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:03 PM ET, 04/23/2013

Image at risk? Clinton ex-counsel is there for you
By Al Kamen
Ex-White House aide Lanny Davis available under a new image insurance program.

By Al Kamen  |  12:03 PM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:10 AM ET, 04/23/2013

Rangel lawsuit airs ethics’ panel laundry
By Emily Heil
The congressman’s suit seeking to overturn his House censure makes public details about ethics committee’s investigation.

By Emily Heil  |  10:10 AM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 04/23/2013

Bush library event brings back 1,000+ alums
By Al Kamen
Dedication in Dallas includes ex-presidents and Bush White House staff.

By Al Kamen  |  07:00 AM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush, library, dedication, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Obama, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 01:26 PM ET, 04/22/2013

Trade, Commerce and Asia spots still vacant
By Al Kamen
With North Korea and trade with Asia on the front burner, key positions are still open.

By Al Kamen  |  01:26 PM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 10:58 AM ET, 04/22/2013

Petraeus’ charity auction: Win a chance to work out with the general — just like his mistress!
By Emily Heil
A charity contest gives people the chance to go running with the scandal-scarred former CIA director.

By Emily Heil  |  10:58 AM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/22/2013

Elvis impersonators all shook up over accused ricin letter-sender
By Emily Heil
Performers fear the man accused of sending poison-laced letters — who did impersonations of the King — will give them all a bad name.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:06 PM ET, 04/19/2013

Haines nomination at State cracks a glass ceiling
By Emily Heil
The nominee to be the State Department’s new legal adviser would be the first woman ever to hold the job.

By Emily Heil  |  12:06 PM ET, 04/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/19/2013

BACKGROUND CHECK: Meet Interior’s David Hayes
By Emily Heil
The Deputy Interior Secretary opens up about how he’s celebrating Earth Day and his love for ‘Veep’ sitcom.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:11 PM ET, 04/18/2013

Grassley to Democrats: ‘quit crying’ over judges
By Emily Heil
The Iowa Republican calls Democrats’ grumblings over judicial nominees ‘crocodile tears.’

By Emily Heil  |  03:11 PM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 04/18/2013

Whose car has ‘GOP SPIN’ tags?
By Emily Heil
We enlist Loop fans to identify a driver whose license plate reads “GOP SPIN.”

By Emily Heil  |  11:57 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:13 AM ET, 04/18/2013

Kerry vows next year’s marathon will be bigger, better
By Emily Heil
The Secretary of State vows that Boston Marathon will return stronger next year, praises goodwill in bombings’ aftermath.

By Emily Heil  |  10:13 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 04/17/2013

History’s most cringe-inducing presser? It wasn’t Cohen’s.
By Emily Heil
We forgot a briefing called by a lawmaker to deny a report that he was the ‘dumbest’ in Congress.

By Emily Heil  |  02:10 PM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:26 AM ET, 04/17/2013

Why Obama’s chief of staff is anti-Blackberry, iPhone
By Al Kamen
Cybersecurity means checking your smartphones at the door.

By Al Kamen  |  11:26 AM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obama, White House, Denis McDonough, Buzzfeed, Bloomberg, BlackBerrys, cybersecurity, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 09:38 AM ET, 04/17/2013

WHCD swag; Sanford’s latest trespass; and mourning Thatcher (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, it’s “celebrities only” at the WHCD swag suite; Mark Sanford’s latest trespass; and Thatcher mourners.

By Emily Heil  |  09:38 AM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:01 AM ET, 04/17/2013

Vacancies at Commerce, State drawing criticism
By Emily Heil
Vacancies among high-ranking jobs at the Departments of Commerce and State are drawing criticism.

By Emily Heil  |  09:01 AM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:10 PM ET, 04/16/2013

New ‘power couple’ at State?
By Al Kamen
Chatter at Foggy Bottom is that Dan Sepulveda may be tapped to deal with international communications.

By Al Kamen  |  12:10 PM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/16/2013

Cohen’s Lauper presser hardly the first of its kind
By Emily Heil
The tweeting congressman isn’t the only lawmaker to hold a bizarre or awkward news conference.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:31 PM ET, 04/15/2013

Drone pilots not getting medals
By Al Kamen
Award approved by former defense secretary Leon Panetta canceled by new Secretary Chuck Hagel.

By Al Kamen  |  04:31 PM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Drone, medal, Pentagon, pilots, drone pilots, canceled, Panetta, Hagel, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 01:12 PM ET, 04/15/2013

Team Obama becoming media shy?
By Al Kamen
No White House mention of $1 billion U.S.-Canada bridge project and 20,000 U.S. jobs.

By Al Kamen  |  01:12 PM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 04/15/2013

Beyonce concert a fundraising draw
By Emily Heil
Mrs. Jay-Z stirred controversy during a recent jaunt to Cuba, but lawmakers are planning fundraisers for her concert this summer.

By Emily Heil  |  09:05 AM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 04/12/2013

Obama wears many hats — but only metaphorically
By Emily Heil
Handed a football helmet, he jokes that presidents shouldn’t put ‘stuff on their heads.’ Paging Mike Dukakis...

By Emily Heil  |  03:30 PM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 04/12/2013

Canadian foreign service in strike mode
By Al Kamen
Government threatens disciplinary action up to dismissals over e-mail use.

By Al Kamen  |  01:28 PM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Canada, foreign service, stike, labor, union, embassy, work to rule, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:39 PM ET, 04/12/2013

Mock congressional hearing on alien life brings former members back to planet Washington
By Emily Heil
A UFO-truther group plans mock congressional hearing — with former lawmakers on the dais — to explore extraterrestrial life.

By Emily Heil  |  12:39 PM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:34 AM ET, 04/12/2013

Jay Carney issues rapper challenge; e-mails from Gitmo; and a congressional hearing on aliens -- the extraterrestrial kind (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup: The press secretary says nothing rhymes with “treasury”; someone’s reading Gitmo e-mail; a hearing on aliens ( E.T.?)

By Emily Heil  |  10:34 AM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/12/2013

Nixon, Gestapo and... the Mitch McConnell camp maxes out on rhetorical scale
By Emily Heil
When an audiotape of a campaign staff talk leaked, they leaped from Nixon references to the Gestapo.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:38 PM ET, 04/11/2013

EPA nominee Gina McCarthy doesn’t use IM
By Emily Heil
EPA nominee says she can’t misuse instant messaging — because she doesn’t know how to use it at all.

By Emily Heil  |  03:38 PM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:53 PM ET, 04/11/2013

Personnel notes: a new chief of staff for Jill Biden, plus moves at Energy and State
By Emily Heil
A new chief of staff for Jill Biden, plus departures at the Energy and State departments.

By Emily Heil  |  01:53 PM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:25 PM ET, 04/11/2013

Once-banned Iran exile group opens office a block from White House
By Al Kamen
The NCRI hadn’t been able to operate in this country since 2003.

By Al Kamen  |  12:25 PM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:50 AM ET, 04/11/2013

Kerry accepts Canadian beer in hockey wager
By Emily Heil
The SecState settles a bet with his Canadian counterpart after U.S. win, declaring the brew isn’t a “gift,” but the spoils of victory.

By Emily Heil  |  11:50 AM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:27 AM ET, 04/11/2013

Boehner ‘small-hearted’?; Hillary and Huma; and more Cabinet criticism
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, the outgoing OPM chief hints that the speaker short-shrifts federal workers; the parallel universes of Hillary and Huma; and more Cabinet criticism.

By Emily Heil  |  10:27 AM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 04/11/2013

Survey shows huge gap between federal leaders and workers
By Al Kamen
Where senior officals at agencies see merit promotion, lower-level employees see favoritism.

By Al Kamen  |  07:00 AM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Federal workers, survey, Senior Executive Service, Partnership for Public Service, Max Stier, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 10:29 AM ET, 04/10/2013

Hill staffer tweets: booze, swearing and a teaching moment
By Emily Heil
Staffers are rushing to make their accounts private after a service aggregated sometimes racy tweets.

By Emily Heil  |  10:29 AM ET, 04/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:20 AM ET, 04/10/2013

Chinese human rights activist greeted with metaphors
By Emily Heil
A Chinese human rights activist is greeted on Capitol Hill with plenty of metaphors about his blindness.

By Emily Heil  |  09:20 AM ET, 04/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:52 PM ET, 04/09/2013

‘Strike and Destroy’ N. Korea’s missiles?
By Al Kamen
Top Obama defense official once advocated just that.

By Al Kamen  |  01:52 PM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 04/09/2013

McConnell to take in Lady Cards’ Final Four bid on TV
By Emily Heil
The Senate Republican leader watched his beloved men’s team clinch the championship in person — but will have to settle for long-distance as the women’s team vies for its Final Four victory.

By Emily Heil  |  12:58 PM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:57 AM ET, 04/09/2013

White confirmed for SEC; Max Baucus, puppy killer; and the death of a young diplomat (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, a new chief for the SEC; Sen. Max Baucus has it in for pooches; and a young diplomat’s death prompts security questions.

By Emily Heil  |  09:57 AM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/09/2013

Obama’s Cabinet sacrifices salaries in the sequester — but don’t worry, they’ll be okay
By Emily Heil
Salary sacrifices a trend among President Obama’s secretaries — but it’s pocket change for most.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:47 PM ET, 04/08/2013

Miami lawyer Wagar is leading pick for Singapore
By Al Kamen
Mega-bundler raised more than $1 million for Obama 2012 campaign.

By Al Kamen  |  04:47 PM ET, 04/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 01:27 PM ET, 04/08/2013

Senate finance aides pressed for time on Asia trip
By Al Kamen
Australia environment, labor groups unable to get a meeting.

By Al Kamen  |  01:27 PM ET, 04/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Trans-Paciific Partnership, Senate Finance Committee, Australia, New Zealand, Australia, labor, enironmentalist, free trade, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 11:40 AM ET, 04/08/2013

Was Michigan Dem chief the Easter Bunny?
By Al Kamen
The names of those who’ve played Mr. Bunny apparently are being kept on “close hold.”

By Al Kamen  |  11:40 AM ET, 04/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Lon Johnson, Michigan, Easter Bunny, Egg Roll, White House, Julianna Smoot, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 04/06/2013

Kerry’s departure for Mideast briefly delayed
By Anne Gearan
Secretary of state held up for more than three hours at Joint Base Andrews en route to Turkey.

By Anne Gearan  |  10:15 AM ET, 04/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:02 PM ET, 04/05/2013

Panetta political dynasty taking shape?
By Al Kamen
Former representative Leon Panetta’s son is talking about running for Congress.

By Al Kamen  |  03:02 PM ET, 04/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Panetta, Leon Panetta, James Panetta, Sam Farr, Congress, The Carmel Pine Cone, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 09:35 AM ET, 04/05/2013

USDA re-brands by nixing agency logos
By Emily Heil
The department nixes its dozens of agency logos to consolidate its brand.

By Emily Heil  |  09:35 AM ET, 04/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:10 PM ET, 04/04/2013

Sequester Solidarity Stampede picks up steam
By Al Kamen
More Obama Cabinet members chipping in a chunk of their pay as sequester looms. But who’ll be last?

By Al Kamen  |  04:10 PM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester, furlough, obama, cabinet, contributions, solidarity, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 03:09 PM ET, 04/04/2013

Lyndon Johnson still a no-show at the White House Egg Roll
By Al Kamen
The Johnson Library offers proof that The Loop was right in the first place.

By Al Kamen  |  03:09 PM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Lyndon Johnson, Easter Egg Roll, Johnson Library, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 04/04/2013

Embassies for mega-donors: A venerable tradition
By Al Kamen
Obama’s naming of wealthy contributors is in keeping with a long-standing tradition.

By Al Kamen  |  11:39 AM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obama, Bruce Heyman, Ruth Farkas, Nixon, Kalmbach, Canada, ambassador, mega-donor, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 09:16 AM ET, 04/04/2013

Army’s formal birthday ball a sequester casualty
By Emily Heil
Sequester cuts put the brakes on the popular, annual fancy-dress event.

By Emily Heil  |  09:16 AM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:29 PM ET, 04/03/2013

Obama said to pick mega-fundraiser Bruce Heyman for Canada
By Al Kamen
IN THE LOOP | Chicagoan Bruce Heyman of Goldman Sachs is a member of Obama campaign finance committee.

By Al Kamen  |  06:29 PM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 03:59 PM ET, 04/03/2013

Hagel, Obama cut their pay. Who’ll be the last Cabinet member?
By Al Kamen
Hagel’s was cut in solidarity with sequester pay cuts. Now that Obama’s done so, who’ll be the last cabinet member to jump in?

By Al Kamen  |  03:59 PM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Chuck Hagel, voluntary pay cut, Obama, pay cut, sequester, furlough, federal workers, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 01:11 PM ET, 04/03/2013

Jon Stewart, Cairo embassy, and the Egyptian president spark a Twitter war
By Emily Heil
A strange global kerfuffle erupts after the U.S. embassy tweets a clip of the comedian bashing Egyptian President Morsi.

By Emily Heil  |  01:11 PM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:38 PM ET, 04/03/2013

Hill GOP retains social media edge over Dems
By Al Kamen
Twitter and Facebook use increasing rapidly in Congress, but more Republicans use them.

By Al Kamen  |  12:38 PM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/03/2013

Obama’s pick of Caroline Kennedy for ambassador has Nixon precedent
By Emily Heil
Secret tapes show Nixon tried to recruit FDR’s kids into the diplomatic corps, too.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:26 PM ET, 04/02/2013

President Lyndon Johnson did indeed attend an Easter Egg Roll
By Al Kamen
Turns out he was there at least in 1964 — and we have the photo.

By Al Kamen  |  02:26 PM ET, 04/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  White House, Easter Egg Roll, Lyndon Johnson, beagles, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, in the loop, William Eaton, Marilyn Eaton

Posted at 12:51 PM ET, 04/02/2013

Lawmakers’ invitation to barred Indian leader might be problematic
By Al Kamen
A House delegation’s invitation to banned Gujarat leader could be problematic.

By Al Kamen  |  12:51 PM ET, 04/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  India, Gujarat, Narendra Modi, Aaron Schock, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Cynthia Loomis, Hi India, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 04/01/2013

Obama names Deese deputy OMB director
By Al Kamen
Brian Deese had been the auto czar and deputy director of the National Economic Council.

By Al Kamen  |  05:00 PM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  in Transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 04/01/2013

Syria civil war not blocking all government work
By Al Kamen
The country last month became the first to endorse a treaty on movie copyright protections

By Al Kamen  |  01:28 PM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria, civil war, Aleppo, Assad, refugees, copyright, Beijing treaty, Damascus, refugees, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:32 AM ET, 04/01/2013

Lew’s odd signature to grace dollar bills, but not for a while
By Emily Heil
The currency being printed now bears Tim Geithner’s John Hancock, and it looks like we’ll have to wait a while longer for the new bills with Lew’s infamously strange signature.

By Emily Heil  |  11:32 AM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:50 AM ET, 04/01/2013

A woman FBI head?; Ron Kirk’s new job; and the White House egg roll rolls on (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, the White House is considering Lisa Monaco for the FBI job; Ron Kirk’s post-USTR gig; and the White House egg roll rolls on.

By Emily Heil  |  09:50 AM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/01/2013

Caroline Kennedy to be ambassador to Japan
By Emily Heil
Camelot goes Far East as Kennedy plans to take diplomatic post in Tokyo.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:11 PM ET, 03/29/2013

Christie Vilsack lands USAID job
By Emily Heil
She lost her Iowa congressional race, but now she’s signing on as a senior adviser for educational issues at USAID.

By Emily Heil  |  02:11 PM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:04 AM ET, 03/29/2013

The new Terry McAuliffe; a slur in the immigration debate; and White House dinner celebs (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, a less-bombastic Terry McAuliffe; the celebrities lining up for the White House correspondents’ dinner; and a slur in the immigration debate.

By Emily Heil  |  10:04 AM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:53 PM ET, 03/28/2013

Chief Justice hit by credit-card fraud
By Al Kamen
IN THE LOOP | Chief Justice John Roberts was forced to pay cash for his morning coffee on Tuesday.

By Al Kamen  |  02:53 PM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Supreme Court

Posted at 12:39 PM ET, 03/28/2013

White House Easter Egg Roll bunnies of yore
By Al Kamen
Those large bunnies are now a key part of the event.

By Al Kamen  |  12:39 PM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  White House, White House Easter Egg Roll, Ursula Meese, Fred Fielding, Robert De Niro, Sean Spicer, Keith Hennessey, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 09:59 AM ET, 03/28/2013

Baucus wants details on IRS parody videos
By Emily Heil
Senate Finance chairman wants accounting of money spent on films knocking off “Gilligan’s Island” and “Star Trek.”

By Emily Heil  |  09:59 AM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:02 PM ET, 03/27/2013

Obama, Kerry show off soccer skills — but what does a pro say?
By Emily Heil
We ask one of the star players from D.C. United to check out their ball-heading moves.

By Emily Heil  |  03:02 PM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 03/27/2013

Political talk shows going ‘all in’
By Al Kamen
Intense competition in the gabfest market sparks some odd show titles

By Al Kamen  |  11:58 AM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Jake Tapper, Chris Hayes, Oprah, Ellen, The Cycle", "All In", Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 03/27/2013

Brennan’s first CIA dilemma; Bush, Biden on basketball fandom; a Barney Frank quip
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, Brennan’s first task at the agency is no picnic; Biden and George W. Bush take in basketball; and a Barney Frank quip.

By Emily Heil  |  09:10 AM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 03/26/2013

Former Secret Service director founds security firm
By Emily Heil
Mark Sullivan teams up with a sports executive and veteran Washington hands to form a new global security company.

By Emily Heil  |  02:49 PM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 03/26/2013

Vitter, Sanford and Weiner: Comebacks having a moment
By Emily Heil
It’s spring, which means flowers are blooming... and scandal-scarred pols are contemplating second acts.

By Emily Heil  |  01:28 PM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:33 PM ET, 03/26/2013

Senate staff on 13-day Asia trade trip
By Al Kamen
A grueling schedule of meetings is on tap in trip to Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.

By Al Kamen  |  12:33 PM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  codel, staffdel, Senate Finance Committee, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Hanoi, Australia, Mordor, Vietnam, Trans-Pacific Partnership, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/26/2013

Senate-White House deal: no recess appointments
By Emily Heil
White House and Senate agree there will be no recess appointments over two-week break.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 03/25/2013

Hey feds, don’t put money on those March Madness brackets
By Emily Heil
A Labor Department memo reminds employees that brackets are OK, so long as they’re just for “bragging rights.”

By Emily Heil  |  12:50 PM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 03/25/2013

U.S. ‘National Day’ in March?
By Al Kamen
Seems the embassy in Saudi Arabia has come up with a new celebration.

By Al Kamen  |  11:22 AM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Fourth of July, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, U.S. embassy, James Smith, Saudi Gazette, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 03/25/2013

Kerry to Afghanistan; CBC’s kid gloves are off on Obama; an NFL congressional intern (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, SecState Kerry heads to Afghanistan; the CBC’s gloves are off; and a congressional intern with NFL pedigree.

By Emily Heil  |  10:23 AM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:48 AM ET, 03/22/2013

FCC chair resigns; Bachmann gets literal; Obama’s monumental moves (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, the FCC chair resigns; Michele Bachmann gets literal; and Obama makes some monumental moves.

By Emily Heil  |  10:48 AM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:06 AM ET, 03/22/2013

Perfect last name to rep firefighters: Burn
By Emily Heil
We find an example of a Washington aptonym: a spokesman for firefighters named Burn.

By Emily Heil  |  10:06 AM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 03/21/2013

Richard Perle on Iraq War: Don’t even ask
By Al Kamen
“Not reasonable” to question whether war was worth it

By Al Kamen  |  01:14 PM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 03/21/2013

Mystery Dem briefly voted ‘yes’ on Ryan budget
By Emily Heil
One mystery Dem voted “yes” — but then switched to a “no” on the GOP budget. Probably an oopsie.

By Emily Heil  |  11:35 AM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:54 AM ET, 03/21/2013

Some overseas travel, like GAO trip, still a go
By Emily Heil
A GAO trip to Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia is on, despite budget slashing.

By Emily Heil  |  10:54 AM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 03/20/2013

At FCC, GOP commissioner’s departure clears way for Genachowski’s exit
By Emily Heil
The move by Republican Robert McDowell makes it easier for the Democratic chairman to step down, too.

By Emily Heil  |  12:50 PM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:59 AM ET, 03/20/2013

Rob Bishop doesn’t like Gehry-designed memorial to Ike
By Emily Heil
A bill to scrap the Gehry-designed memorial honoring Dwight Eisenhower is the latest salvo in the messy battle over the project.

By Emily Heil  |  11:59 AM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 03/20/2013

Bader Ginsburg pumping iron; Mark Sanford advances toward Washington; and political brackets (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, Bader Ginsburg pumping iron; Mark Sanford’s a step closer to Congress; and political March madness.

By Emily Heil  |  09:17 AM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 03/20/2013

Congress flies commercial to Vatican, but lawmakers didn’t have to pay their own way
By Emily Heil
Delegation of lawmakers greeting Pope Francis flew commercial — but at least they didn’t have to buy their own airline tickets.

By Emily Heil  |  09:05 AM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 03/19/2013

Obama team’s firmer grip on foreign policy slots
By Al Kamen
The Kerry-Hagel team won’t have leeway afforded Clinton-Gates duo.

By Al Kamen  |  01:25 PM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 03/19/2013

Zients’s chances for USTR job fading
By Emily Heil
Obama has asked Zients to stay on in his current role as acting head of Office of Management and Budget.

By Emily Heil  |  11:36 AM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 03/19/2013

GOP to challenge Perez; Obama doesn’t speak of the devil; and Bachmann’s food-stamp confusion (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, GOP signals opposition to Labor nominee; President Obama doesn’t speak of the devil; and Michele Bachmann is penny foolish on food stamps.

By Emily Heil  |  10:23 AM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/19/2013

Senate moving fast on Obama’s second-term Cabinet
By Emily Heil
President Obama is working at a slower pace on nominations than previous administrations, while confirmations are coming more quickly.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:39 PM ET, 03/18/2013

Perez first Dominican American named to cabinet
By Al Kamen
Past Latino nominees have been mostly Mexican American.

By Al Kamen  |  01:39 PM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  intransition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 10:21 AM ET, 03/18/2013

White House narrowing field for FCC chairman
By Emily Heil
Current chairman is eyeing the exits.

By Emily Heil  |  10:21 AM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:17 AM ET, 03/18/2013

At last, Perez for Labor; checking out the Supremes’ marriages; and a bull market for Obama alums (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, President Obama finally to nominate Perez; Supreme Court justices’ marriages; and Obama campaign alums in demand.

By Emily Heil  |  10:17 AM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:35 AM ET, 03/15/2013

Hagel able to laugh about Senate confirmation
By Emily Heil
The new Defense Secretary cracks a funny about his bruising road to confirmation.

By Emily Heil  |  10:35 AM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/15/2013

Justice Department ‘wins’ award for secrecy
By Emily Heil
The National Archives gives the Justice Department an honor named after Nixon’s tape-erasing secretary.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:09 PM ET, 03/14/2013

Ron Kirk’s last day is today as U.S. Trade Rep
By Al Kamen
Former Dallas mayor said to be heading home to a private sector job.

By Al Kamen  |  04:09 PM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  washingtonintransition, transition

Posted at 12:52 PM ET, 03/14/2013

Clinton photos slowly leaving State Dept. walls
By Al Kamen
Kerry photos expected to be hung soon.

By Al Kamen  |  12:52 PM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonin transition

Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 03/14/2013

CPAC’s substance and glamour; new digs for the FBI?; and White House tours (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, conservative confab kicks off, the FBI might need new digs, and the GOP obsession with White House tours.

By Emily Heil  |  10:15 AM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/14/2013

Government furloughs — time to get buff?
By Al Kamen
An area physical fitness promo targets furloughed employees, restaurants may also be offering discounts.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Forecasts | Tags:  spending cuts, sequester, federal budget cuts, federal agency cuts, automatic spending cuts, cliff, sequester news, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:45 PM ET, 03/13/2013

Gitmo prisoner wonders what President Obama reads
By Al Kamen
Questions whether he reads a certain Washington Post column.

By Al Kamen  |  12:45 PM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Latest

Posted at 12:07 PM ET, 03/13/2013

Bush, Romney political dynasties could expand
By Emily Heil
A scion of the Bush legacy prepares for a statewide run, while a member of the Romney clan ponders the Senate, and a Gregoire gets a public office.

By Emily Heil  |  12:07 PM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Latest

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/13/2013

CIA’s Brennan identifies with hostages
By Al Kamen
In Senate testimony, Brennan denies knowledge of the tussle over secret drone documents.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  John Brennan, CIA, drone strikes, Senate, Intelligence, Jay Rockefeller, hostages, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 04:06 PM ET, 03/12/2013

NAACP chief slams Solicitor General
By Al Kamen and Emily Heil
NAACP president Benjamin Jealous critiques Solicitor General Don Verrilli.

By Al Kamen and Emily Heil  |  04:06 PM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:26 PM ET, 03/12/2013

Larry Craig on Senate business during airport sex-sting arrest?
By Al Kamen
Former senator seeks to avoid repaying $217,000 in campaign funds he used to defend against charges.

By Al Kamen  |  12:26 PM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Larry Craig, Sen. Craig, sex-sting, Minneapolis, airport, Federal Election Commission, suit, official business, District Court, Amy Berman Jackson, arrest, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:27 AM ET, 03/12/2013

Secretary Hagel’s signature rivals Lew’s
By Emily Heil
The Defense Secretary’s scrawly signature is almost as difficult to decipher as Treasury Secretary Lew’s widely mocked John Hancock.

By Emily Heil  |  11:27 AM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:28 AM ET, 03/12/2013

White House leg affairs guy needs introducing; Women leading defense firms; and a Perez filibuster (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, the White House’s Hill liaison is no glad-hander; women lead defense contractors; and will the GOP filibuster Perez?

By Emily Heil  |  10:28 AM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/12/2013

Psaki still in training for State Department job
By Al Kamen
Diplomacy requires fluency in diplospeak and perhaps land-mine sensors

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 03:51 PM ET, 03/11/2013

Black Caucus chair questions Cabinet diversity
By Emily Heil
Rep. Marcia Fudge, who heads the Congressional Black Caucus, calls all-white slate of nominees ‘disappointing.’

By Emily Heil  |  03:51 PM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Forecasts | Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 12:07 PM ET, 03/11/2013

Obama’s second-term Cabinet coming into focus
By Emily Heil
Only a few handful of slots remain open as President Obama wraps up making his second-term picks.

By Emily Heil  |  12:07 PM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:33 PM ET, 03/08/2013

McGurk, denied Iraq ambassadorship, may get senior State job, report says
By Al Kamen
Brent McGurk’s nomination was derailed last year, but he may be landing well.

By Al Kamen  |  03:33 PM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  McGurk, Brett McGurk, Baghdad, Embassy, Iraq, nomination, withdrawn, deputy assistant secretary of state, Iran, Al Kamen, Emily Heile, In the Loop

Posted at 01:40 PM ET, 03/08/2013

Sequester hits Interior Department campsites
By Al Kamen
BLM may need to close or reduce hours at campsites, delay grazing and drilling permits.

By Al Kamen  |  01:40 PM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  spending cuts, sequester, federal budget cuts, federal agency cuts, automatic spending cuts, budget deal, sequester news, BLM, Bureau of Land Management, campsites, permits, gatherings, furloughs, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 03/08/2013

Brennan confirmed; sequester impacts; and filibuster’s physical demands (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup; Brennan is latest White House nominee to get Senate nod; taking stock of the sequester; and the physical demands of the filibuster.

By Emily Heil  |  10:18 AM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  exclude

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/08/2013

Obama’s West Wing: the seating chart
By Al Kamen
IN THE LOOP | Proximity to power is power, in any administration.

By Al Kamen  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 10:10 AM ET, 03/07/2013

Paul put the ‘bust’ in filibuster
By Emily Heil
He doesn’t make it on the list of longest Senate gabs — but reading from Twitter instead of phone books might be a first.

By Emily Heil  |  10:10 AM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/07/2013

Sequester requires tight rein on travel
By Al Kamen
Looking for savings in California wine country

By Al Kamen  |  07:00 AM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  spending cuts, sequester, federal budget cuts, federal agency cuts, automatic spending cuts, fiscal cliff, delay sequester, delay spending cuts, budget deal, what’s in the budget deal, whats in fiscal cliff deal, fiscal cliff wiki, fiscal cliff news, sequester news, Tom Vilsack, Tom Coburn, wine, California, conferences, Agriculture, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 04:02 PM ET, 03/06/2013

Filibusters ain’t what they used to be
By Al Kamen
Sen. Rand Paul’s worthy effort, even with help from pals, may fall many hours short of the record-breakers of yore.

By Al Kamen  |  04:02 PM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  filibuster, Rand Paul, Huey Long, Strom Thurmond, Senate, Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, Alfonse D'Amato, Robert Byrd, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 03/06/2013

On budget talks, a drinking problem might be a drinking solution
By Emily Heil
A U.S. rep at the United Nations complains about drinking during budget talks -- but could imbibing help the deadlocked Congress?

By Emily Heil  |  11:57 AM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:33 AM ET, 03/06/2013

Former representative Ney bashes Boehner; Brennan’s nomination moves ahead; Obama to dine with Senate Republicans (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, the disgraced lawmaker dishes in a new book; John Brennan’s nomination moves; and the White House is caught in an untruth about Capitol Hill janitors.

By Emily Heil  |  09:33 AM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:39 AM ET, 03/06/2013

Carney’s ‘petite bargain’ phrase fails to catch on (whew)
By Emily Heil
A White House spokesman’s attempted introduction to Washington lexicon goes the way of ‘fetch’ in Mean Girls: It’s not happening.

By Emily Heil  |  08:39 AM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:41 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Obama to name O’Connor to head Secret Service, report says
By Emily Heil
Veteran Secret Service official David O’Connor will replace Mark Sullivan at the agency tasked with the President’s security.

By Emily Heil  |  04:41 PM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:36 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Post-sequester military bands playing the blues
By Al Kamen
Military bands around the world are trying to find cuts in the midst of budget uncertainties.

By Al Kamen  |  12:36 PM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 03/05/2013

Goolsbee wins a dubious award
By Al Kamen
The former White House Council of Economic Advisers chairman creates most horrible new word for 2013.

By Al Kamen  |  11:30 AM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Austan Goolsbee, Michael Boskin, Council of Economic Advisers, dreadfulize, horrible word, Joint Economic Committee, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 10:44 AM ET, 03/05/2013

Obama’s ‘empowered’ Cabinet?; IGs are like Cassandra; Ritter passed over for a top job (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, White House plans to empower secretaries; IGs go unheeded; and what it’s like to get passed over for a top job.

By Emily Heil  |  10:44 AM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/05/2013

Kerry gives the boot to his British counterpart
By Emily Heil
John Kerry gets off on the right foot by presenting his British counterpart with a pair of Western-style boots.

By Emily Heil  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 03/04/2013

OPM chief in mix for ambassador to Australia
By Al Kamen
OPM director John Berry is said to be the leading candidate for the Canberra post.

By Al Kamen  |  12:50 PM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 11:40 AM ET, 03/04/2013

Air Force halts flyovers at air shows, football games
By Emily Heil
Sequester means no more flights at football games, air shows — and it’s grounding the Thunderbirds aerial team.

By Emily Heil  |  11:40 AM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:03 AM ET, 03/04/2013

More deadlines loom; Moniz’s wild hair; and Bader Ginsburg has another two years (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, more deadlines loom; Ernest Moniz’s wild hair; and A Supreme Court Justice gives two year’s notice.

By Emily Heil  |  10:03 AM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:39 PM ET, 03/01/2013

Obama’s ‘Jedi mind meld’ mixes sci-fi worlds
By Emily Heil
The president conflates “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” in news conference.

By Emily Heil  |  12:39 PM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:38 AM ET, 03/01/2013

Sequester closes some doors on Capitol Hill
By Emily Heil
Spreading the pain: Lawmakers learn that some doors and security checkpoints will close, possibly creating (gasp!) delays.

By Emily Heil  |  11:38 AM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:51 AM ET, 03/01/2013

Sequester dance begins; Holmes Norton donates pay; bashing federal workers (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, the sequester is on; Holmes Norton donates her pay; bashing fed workers; and a new BFF for Dear Leader.

By Emily Heil  |  08:51 AM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:49 AM ET, 03/01/2013

Budget cuts? The GAO says it’s found some
By Al Kamen
A recent report concludes the government’s overseas broadcasting operation could save $149 million a year by cutting duplication.

By Al Kamen  |  08:49 AM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:01 PM ET, 02/28/2013

State Department official Mike Posner to NYU
By Emily Heil
Human-rights attorney Mike Posner is leaving to join the faculty of NYU’s Stern School of Business.

By Emily Heil  |  04:01 PM ET, 02/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:47 PM ET, 02/28/2013

Obama wanted Jefferson artifact for Clinton
By Emily Heil
A White House staffer was shopping on behalf of the president for a gift for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

By Emily Heil  |  02:47 PM ET, 02/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 02/28/2013

Caroline Kennedy’s ready for ambassadorship, and Japan loves a ‘big name’ in the Tokyo embassy
By Emily Heil
Political scion may be ready for a diplomatic posting. And the Japanese do love to see a “big name” in the U.S. embassy.

By Emily Heil  |  12:23 PM ET, 02/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Latest, Climate Change, Science

Posted at 09:54 AM ET, 02/28/2013

Lew is confirmed; Duncan gets schooled; and strange U.N. politics (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup: will Lew’s confirmation mean more nominee movement?; Arne Duncan gets schooled; and U.N. wackiness.

By Emily Heil  |  09:54 AM ET, 02/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/28/2013

Team Hagel starting to assemble at Pentagon
By Al Kamen
A former Leon Panetta aide, two former Hagel Senate staffers are in the mix.

By Al Kamen  |  07:00 AM ET, 02/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 05:27 PM ET, 02/27/2013

CAP releases, retracts statement on McCarthy nomination at EPA
By Emily Heil
A think tank releases a statement on her nomination to head EPA... but the White House hasn’t yet given her the official nod.

By Emily Heil  |  05:27 PM ET, 02/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:40 PM ET, 02/27/2013

Boehner cuts House members’ greatest perk
By Al Kamen
Citing the impending sequester cuts to the federal budget, the Speaker canceled all House congressional delegation travel on military jets.

By Al Kamen  |  04:40 PM ET, 02/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester, John Boehner, Boehner, congressional delegations, codels, cancel, trips, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 02/27/2013

John Kerry’s fluent French comes in handy
By Emily Heil
After being a political liability, the new secretary of state’s French-language skills come in handy.

By Emily Heil  |  01:23 PM ET, 02/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:04 AM ET, 02/27/2013

Climate-caucus redux: New group isn’t the first
By Emily Heil
A new lawmakers’ group on climate change isn’t the first — but once upon a time, the effort was bipartisan.

By Emily Heil  |  11:04 AM ET, 02/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:40 AM ET, 02/27/2013

‘Zero Dark Thirty’ probe ends; Kerry still hearts Massachusetts; and Dennis Rodman in North Korea (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s news roundup, senators satisfied on CIA contact with filmmakers; SecState Kerry’s old habits die hard; and Dennis Rodman’s odd mission to North Korea.

By Emily Heil  |  09:40 AM ET, 02/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)