
Check back often for the latest news.
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An unlikely hero for the right
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.), respectively, and Obama's appointment last week of a Utah professor -- the brother of Rep. Such a probe, he said, "would tear my family and my staff apart."Massa returned to his Corning, N.Y., home late last week.
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At the White House, talk turns to what comes next after health care
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
WilsonBy Scott WilsonAs he works to wrap up a yearlong debate on health care, President Obama is looking to the next big things -- energy and financial reform.The day's public schedule tells the story.Obama will have lunch Tuesday with business leaders, a meeting described by White House officials as another outreach session that will range across subjects. It will likely focus, though, on the fate of the financial regulatory reform legislation that is now making its...
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Biden assures Israel of U.S. security commitment
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
In Peres's guest book, he wrote: "The bond between our two nations has been, and will remain, unshakeable. Indirect talks "could legitimize the U.S. role as a broker and maybe even make some headway on borders.
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Biden to Israel: Take risks for peace
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
Biden said he was pleased that Israelis and Palestinians had agreed this week to resume indirect peace negotiations with U.S. mediation. Obama began his term with a push for Mideast peace, prodding Israel to freeze its construction of West Bank settlements that swallow up land the Palestinians want for a future state. But hours after Biden's arrival Monday, the U.S. announced the sides would begin indirect peace negotiations.
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Biden visits Middle East; Israel and Palestinians agree to indirect talks
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Indirect talks "could legitimize the U.S. role as a broker and maybe even make some headway on borders.
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Dance Review: Neil Ieremia and Black Grace perform at George Mason University
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Neil Ieremia was 19 when he announced plans to quit a banking job and become a choreographer. But they didn't, and lucky for world dance stages, Ieremia has spent the last 15 years directing Black Grace, an all-male company that fuses traditional Maori and Samoan movement with modern dance. The dancers rolled giant stones out onto the stage, then tipped them sideways, creating primal platforms.
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Former congressman Massa says Democrats set him up over health care
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.), respectively, and Obama's appointment last week of a Utah professor -- the brother of Rep. Such a probe, he said, "would tear my family and my staff apart."Massa returned to his Corning, N.Y., home late last week.
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House liberals force vote on pullout from Afghanistan
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), one of the leading antiwar voices in Congress. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) , the most interesting may be Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), who is running for governor in his home state.
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If only financial reform really were funny
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
We gotta regulate that or we're gonna get more bubbles. After the worst financial collapse since the Great Depression, financial reform isn't a luxury. In the House, not one Republican voted in favor of the diluted reform bill that includes an independent CFPA.
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Immigrant rights group slam Obama, Democrats for slow action with legalization bill
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
No reelection," Emma Lozano, executive director of the Chicago-based Centro Sin Fronteras, told reporters.White House officials said the president will be meeting soon with Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) to discuss the bipartisan immigration bill. But since then our president, our Congress members, have been in a deep sleep.
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Letters: Embracing Iraqi translator represents true American spirit
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
Embracing Iraqi translator represents true American spirit Mini Menon - Cedar City, Utah I would like to commend commentary writer Don Teague for his piece. No hope in Iraq Helen Logan - Fullerton, Calif. Predictably, factionalized Iraq's hollow democracy will collapse.
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Letters: With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill Reggie Marselus - Lenexa, Kan. The actions of Democrats in Congress concerning health care reform point to the inherent dangers of the unlimited powers of a majority. About 70% of U.S. citizens have an unfavorable opinion of this health care bill.
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Michelle Obama slated for three commencement speeches this spring
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
First lady Michelle Obama plans to make three commencement addresses this spring -- assuming one of the selected schools meets her public service challenge. She also addressed the Washington Math and Science Tech Public Charter High School Graduation in Washington DC. President Obama, meanwhile, has commencement appearances at the University of Michigan, Hampton University in Virginia, and a yet-to-be-determined high school.
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Michelle Obama unveils inaugural dress at Smithsonian
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
I remember that it was freezing cold in Washington. Yet, despite the frigid temperatures, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the Mall. I remember how just luscious I felt as the President and I were announced onto the stage for the first of many dances.
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Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown, now a part of history
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
Obama's contribution is a "one-shouldered, white-silk chiffon gown" designed by Jason Wu, according to the first lady's office. Obama said. "Did her feet hurt in those shoes?
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More conservative misinformation on health-care reform
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Because the exchanges, as you can see on Page 20 of this CBO analysis, are expected to serve 25 million people by 2019. And that 10 percent of the market will be primarily composed of the uninsured. Because of the subsidies (and, to a lesser extent, regulations) people are also buying better insurance policies.
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Obama back on the campaign trail, this time for health care
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
This time, the goal is not the White House, but a final health care bill. We were sent there to solve the big challenges." As with any campaign, average Americans speak at Obama's rallies to discuss their health care problems. The health care campaign also has its share of political intrigue.
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Obama launches attack on health insurance companies
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Broad majorities of insured people say they are satisfied with their coverage, according to Washington Post-ABC News polls. Only one in eight say insurance would improve if the health-care system were changed.But that relative satisfaction coexists with anxiety. She said she favors nationwide minimum standards for regulating insurers.
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Obama nominates Robert A. Harding to lead TSA
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Ed O'KeefePresident Obama nominated retired Army Maj. The TSA, with 45,000 employees, faces significant pressure to revamp the nation's aviation security procedures in the wake of the attempted Christmas Day airliner bomb attack. Currently, airport screeners may join unions, but those unions cannot bargain on behalf of workers.
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Obama takes hard-sell health pitch to Pa.
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
Obama is trying to win over centrist Democrats, including at least five here in Pennsylvania."It's hard for some members of Congress to make this vote. There's no doubt about that," Obama said. Louis to sell his plan, which would step up insurance regulation and extend coverage to 31 million people.
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Obama's day: Closed door meetings and Greek Independence Day
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
President Obama stays mostly behind closed doors today, as he and aides continue to plot health care strategy. Obama is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister George Papandreou of Greece today. In other news: States are gradually lessening limits on marijuana, report USA TODAY's William Welch and Donna Leinwand. (Oh, wow, man.
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Obama's inaugural gown conveys a nation's optimism
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Wu was only 26 on Inauguration Day, and to some degree, that showed in the dress's not-so-expertly-finessed bodice. Obama dressed as a cat for Halloween and brought area children to the White House to trick-or-treat. The inaugural gown was frothy and girlish, like something an ingenue would wear for her first red carpet promenade.
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Obama, reading up on Roosevelt (Theodore)
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
Many presidents like to read about their predecessors, and President Obama said yesterday he is studying up on Theodore Roosevelt. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs tells us the president is reading The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris -- a true classic of the presidential genre. A 2001, sequel, Theodore Rex, covered the Roosevelt presidential years.
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Rove says Obama is 'undisciplined' and 'aloof'
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
...book tour contrasting the George W. Bush and Barack Obama presidencies. In an interview today with USA TODAY colleague Judy Keen, Rove contrasted the candidate Obama of 2008 with the President Obama of today. "He was disciplined and focused and centrist as a candidate," Rove says. "(As president) he has been undisciplined, unengaged, aloof and focused on the wrong things." Judy asked Rove, "The book, Courage and Consequence, is reviving Bush-era controversies; is it worth it?" Rove's response:...
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Short-staffed agency overseeing high-speed-rail effort draws fire
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
...got $2.3 billion for a 220-mph route between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Florida, which got $1.3 billion to develop a 168-mph rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando.Most of the rest went to smaller projects to increase speeds on Amtrak routes or plan for future projects in 11 other rail corridors linking large cities.Congress added $2.5 billion more for high-speed rail to the Transportation Department's 2010 budget, and the White House has asked for $1 billion more next...
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Slowly, states are lessening limits on marijuana
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
From California, where lawmakers may outright legalize marijuana, to New Jersey, which implemented a medical use law Jan. 19, states are taking unprecedented steps to loosen marijuana restrictions. He says statewide polls show 80% of Rhode Islanders favor decriminalization. Rhode Island borders Massachusetts, which decriminalized marijuana last year.
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A pivotal week begins
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
Every year, they drop more people's coverage when they're sick and need it most. How many more Americans have to lose their health insurance?" Obama said. "How many more businesses have to drop coverage?
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APPOINTMENTS
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
Scheer Partners of the District named Nate Crowe vice president. Booz Allen Hamilton of McLean named Peter B. Trick, formerly with SRA International, senior vice president. Legal Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP of the District named Michael N. Sohn counsel.
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Column: We expect too much from our presidents
Mar 8, 2010 — USA Today
We expect too much from our presidents By William Choslovsky Remember when 100,000 people showed up in St. No, it was for candidate Barack Obama, who back in 2008 was our newest rock star, if not savior. What happened is he won, and Candidate Obama became President Obama.
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Dept. of Education to boost civil rights efforts
Mar 8, 2010 — USA Today
Education Secretary Arne Duncan was to speak Monday in Alabama to outline the department's goals. McClammy said Duncan asked why Alabama legislators oppose charter schools — a measure by Republican Gov. Bob Riley to create charter schools was killed recently in House and Senate committees.
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Former Pa. senators look at earlier efforts for health care
Mar 8, 2010 — USA Today
Wofford, 83, ran the Corporation for National and Community Service and remains active in many volunteerism initiatives. Santorum, 51, served 12 years in the Senate before losing in 2006. Wofford remains a proponent of government efforts to expand insurance coverage.
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Gates goes to Afghanistan to view progress on war's expansion
Mar 8, 2010 — USA Today
Without being specific, McChrystal suggested that any heavy fighting in Kandahar will wait until more U.S. and NATO troops are ready. During his visit, Gates is meeting with his top military commanders and senior Afghan officials, including President Hamid Karzai. The military counts 19 Afghan civilian deaths from errant combat action during the Marjah campaign.
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Israel, Palestinians agree to resume indirect peace talks
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
...-- Israel and the Palestinians agreed Monday to resume indirect peace negotiations mediated by the United States, said President Obama's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell.Mitchell, who shuttled between Israeli and Palestinian officials the past few days, said he would return to the region next week to continue discussions on the "structure and scope" of the negotiations.Mitchell released the statement two hours after Vice President Biden arrived in Israel for a four-day...
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Israel, Palestinians agree to talks
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
Indirect talks "could legitimize the U.S. role as a broker and maybe even make some headway on borders.
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Massa says he was forced out so that Democrats can pass health care
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
All Americans need to hear him."Massa's departure will effectively lower the number of votes that Hoyer and Democratic leaders need to corral for passing the legislation. If all Democrats voted as they did in the November vote on health care, Democratic leaders would have precisely 216 votes. Hoyer has declined to comment on the precise nature of the allegations.Massa also addressed his record in the Navy.