44 - Politics and policy in Obama's Washington.

Posted at 09:24 AM ET, 08/04/2011

President Barack Obama’s 50th birthday: A time for reflection . . . and fundraising

By Beth Marlowe and Marie Elizabeth Oliver

The president kicks off his 50th birthday celebrations a day early, with a concert in Chicago Wednesday night.

By Beth Marlowe and Marie Elizabeth Oliver | 09:24 AM ET, 08/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:21 PM ET, 07/29/2011

Thousands ‘unfollow’ @barackobama on Twitter

By David Nakamura

President Obama put out a call to his Twitterati on Friday. Many responded.

By David Nakamura | 06:21 PM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:24 PM ET, 07/29/2011

Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert roast Congress over debt limit

By Matt DeLong

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert poke fun at the handling of the debt crisis by both President Obama and congressional Republicans.

By Matt DeLong | 04:24 PM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:32 PM ET, 07/29/2011

Obama reenters fray over debt plan

By David Nakamura and Peter Wallsten

After three days of stepping back from public view, President Obama reentered the debate over the deadlocked debt ceiling negotiations Friday.

By David Nakamura and Peter Wallsten | 02:32 PM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:33 AM ET, 07/29/2011

Obama back in spotlight to address economy, debt crisis

By David Nakamura

President Obama will reenter the fray Friday over the deadlocked debt-limit negotiations with just four days left until the United States faces a potentially disastrous default.

By David Nakamura | 09:33 AM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:53 PM ET, 07/28/2011

White House: Debt stalemate could spoil Christmas cheer

By David Nakamura

The White House puts the impact of a debt-ceiling stalemate in terms everyone can understand: It would ruin Christmas!

By David Nakamura | 05:53 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:28 PM ET, 07/28/2011

LaHood wants Congress to compromise on FAA

By David Nakamura

The ransportation secretary wants Congress to approve a routine funding measure that would end a partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration.

By David Nakamura | 02:28 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:17 PM ET, 07/27/2011

White House ‘Rickrolls’ Twitter followers?

By Matt DeLong

White House attempts to alleviate Twitter follower’s boredom with one of the most famous music videos on the Internet.

By Matt DeLong | 05:17 PM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:10 PM ET, 07/27/2011

White House calls ‘dangerous’ default scenario a ‘Sophie’s Choice’

By David Nakamura

By David Nakamura | 05:10 PM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:33 AM ET, 07/27/2011

Obama struggles to remain a player in debt talks

By David Nakamura

With six days left before the United States faces a potentially calamitous financial default Aug. 2, Team Obama seems to have been reduced to talking to itself.

By David Nakamura | 11:33 AM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:50 PM ET, 07/26/2011

Rep. Gutierrez arrested outside the White House while protesting immigration policy

By David Nakamura

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez was arrested Tuesday for demonstrating outside the White House on immigration reform.

By David Nakamura | 05:50 PM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:38 PM ET, 07/26/2011

Nikki Haley praises dermatologist on Facebook

By Rachel Weiner

The South Carolina governor talks about her skincare.

By Rachel Weiner | 05:38 PM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:14 PM ET, 07/26/2011

Obama visits Norwegian diplomats to express condolences for Oslo massacre

By David Nakamura

President Obama made a brief visit to the Norwegian ambassador’s residence to offer his condolences for the tragic bombing and shooting that killed at least 76 on Friday.

By David Nakamura | 05:14 PM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:05 PM ET, 07/26/2011

Religious groups: Debt ceiling is a moral issue

By Al Kamen

Christian groups appeal to President Obama to not hurt the poor.

By Al Kamen | 05:05 PM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:25 AM ET, 07/26/2011

Obama leaves Hispanic activists unsatisfied

By David Nakamura

At a news conference after a luncheon for La Raza, the group’s president said Obama had failed the Latino community.

By David Nakamura | 10:25 AM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:24 AM ET, 07/26/2011

Obama changes tone in public debate over debt ceiling

By David Nakamura

As the high-stakes negotiations with Congress to avoid financial default Aug. 2 have bogged down, President Obama has taken his case directly to the public with increasing urgency.

By David Nakamura | 07:24 AM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:16 PM ET, 07/25/2011

Obama at bat: President welcomes World Series champion San Francisco Giants before prime-time speech

By David Nakamura

Perhaps hoping some of their winning ways would rub off, Obama feted the 2010 champs during a brief ceremony in the East Room.

By David Nakamura | 07:16 PM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:49 PM ET, 07/25/2011

Obama seeks advantage in debt limit debate

By David Nakamura

By David Nakamura | 05:49 PM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 07/25/2011

White House tries to stay connected with top ‘tweeters’

By David Nakamura

Obama’s White House aides are trying to stay a click or two ahead with ‘tweetups.’

By David Nakamura | 07:00 AM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:12 PM ET, 07/22/2011

Obama could boost re-election campaign by conceding mistakes on economic message

By David Nakamura

For President Obama, conceding some mistakes on how he communicated about the economy could be part of a re-election campaign strategy.

By David Nakamura | 02:12 PM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:51 PM ET, 07/21/2011

NAACP leader says economy can’t get any worse for blacks

By David Nakamura

“We’re in the worst,” NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said Thursday. “We need to be doing what our parents and grandparents did during the Great Depression.”

By David Nakamura | 06:51 PM ET, 07/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 07/21/2011

Heat shrinks Indian Affairs trip to Maine

By Al Kamen

Loop Fans, sweltering the heat wave, may recall Friday’s item about an excellent gathering in early August in lMaine of the Indian Affairs Tribal/Interior Budget Council.

By Al Kamen | 01:00 PM ET, 07/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:05 PM ET, 07/20/2011

White House says not losing debt-limit spin wars

By David Nakamura

By David Nakamura | 04:05 PM ET, 07/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:56 AM ET, 07/20/2011

Michelle Obama joins forces with Walmart, Walgreens to battle food deserts

By Beth Marlowe

As a part of her campaign to combat childhood obesity, First Lady Michelle Obama announced commitments from major food retailers to open stores to make healthy, affordable food available in more areas across the U.S.

By Beth Marlowe | 10:56 AM ET, 07/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:59 PM ET, 07/19/2011

Obama backs bill to repeal Defense of Marriage Act

By David Nakamura

The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it will support a congressional effort to repeal a federal law that defines marriage as a legal union between a man and woman.

By David Nakamura | 02:59 PM ET, 07/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:18 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Panetta taps two spokesmen for Pentagon

By Al Kamen

Navy Capt. John F. Kirby will be senior military spokesman, and George Little will be senior civilian spokesman.

By Al Kamen | 03:18 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:46 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Failing roof forces HUD staff evacuation

By Al Kamen

The 10th floor of the Department of Housing and Urban Development headquarters, where the secretary and other top officials work, has been evacuated.

By Al Kamen | 12:46 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:07 PM ET, 07/15/2011

Obama tries to use public pressure to force GOP to debt-ceiling deal

By Perry Bacon Jr.

President Obama tries to use public pressure to force Republicans to reach agreement with him on the deficit and debt ceiling.

By Perry Bacon Jr. | 01:07 PM ET, 07/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:31 PM ET, 07/14/2011

Not even Rumsfeld escapes TSA’s clutches

By Al Kamen

It seems even the venerable former secretary of defense, 79, was deemed a possible threat and patted down Wednesday at Chicago’s O’Hare as he tried to board a flight.

By Al Kamen | 04:31 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:41 PM ET, 07/14/2011

Deficit meeting elevates previous tensions between Cantor and Democrats, Obama

By Perry Bacon Jr.

The heated dispute at a White House meeting Wednesday has Democrats venting their frustrations about a man they have long strongly disliked: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

By Perry Bacon Jr. | 03:41 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 07/13/2011

Bachmann under fire over husband’s clinic

By Matt DeLong

Gay rights group released undercover video showing therapist urging gay client to convert to heterosexuality through prayer.

By Matt DeLong | 12:50 PM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:52 AM ET, 07/13/2011

West Wing briefing: Should Obama back McConnell’s debt ceiling proposal?

By Perry Bacon Jr.

The White House has not ruled out backing McConnell’s proposal, which would effectively put raising the debt ceiling entirely in the president’s hands.

By Perry Bacon Jr. | 08:52 AM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:28 PM ET, 07/12/2011

Kenny Gladney verdict: Union members found not guilty

By Matt DeLong

Conservative activist accused SEIU members of assault outside an August 2009 town hall meeting in St. Louis.

By Matt DeLong | 06:28 PM ET, 07/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:02 PM ET, 07/12/2011

Beat the heat, raise the campaign money

By Al Kamen

How can you tell when it’s summer in Washington? No, it’s not the suffocating heat, it’s the blizzard of invitations.

By Al Kamen | 02:02 PM ET, 07/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:41 PM ET, 07/11/2011

Michelle Obama orders 1,700-calorie meal at Shake Shack

By Natalie Jennings

The first lady’s french-fry obsession was evidenced again Monday at popular Washington eatery.

By Natalie Jennings | 02:41 PM ET, 07/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:33 AM ET, 07/11/2011

Obama to address debt-ceiling talks at news conference

By Perry Bacon Jr.

The president will hold his second news conference in as many weeks in his push to get members of both parties to agree to a deal that would raise the debt ceiling.

By Perry Bacon Jr. | 05:33 AM ET, 07/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 07/08/2011

Bachmann laughs off “sex appeal” comments

By Beth Marlowe

By Beth Marlowe | 11:46 AM ET, 07/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:14 PM ET, 07/07/2011

Did Obama Twitter townhall lure small business owners?

By Al Kamen

By Al Kamen | 02:14 PM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:06 PM ET, 07/07/2011

Sen. Inhofe wants pilots’ rights

By Al Kamen

By Al Kamen | 02:06 PM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:11 PM ET, 07/07/2011

Tim Pawlenty weighs in on Lady Gaga

By Amy Gardner

By Amy Gardner | 12:11 PM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:47 AM ET, 07/07/2011

Tim Pawlenty weighs in on Lady Gaga

By Amy Gardner

By Amy Gardner | 11:47 AM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:42 PM ET, 07/06/2011

Rep. Michele Bachmann surges in polling: How well do you know the fastest-rising star in the Republican field? (Quiz)

By Brian M. Rosenthal

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is surging in the race to be the Republican nominee for president in 2012. How well do you know this three-term congresswoman?

By Brian M. Rosenthal | 12:42 PM ET, 07/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 07/06/2011

Can Twitter help Obama reach skeptical voters?

By Perry Bacon Jr.

Can Twitter help Obama reach skeptical voters?

By Perry Bacon Jr. | 06:00 AM ET, 07/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:05 PM ET, 06/30/2011

Obama raises more than $1.2 million in Philadelphia

By Perry Bacon Jr. and Cecilia Kang

President raises cash at two events, the last ones of his money-raising blitz

By Perry Bacon Jr. and Cecilia Kang | 10:05 PM ET, 06/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

44: August, 2011