Bruised by Stimulus Battle, Obama Changed His Approach to Washington
April 29, 2009
The night before the Senate vote on President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus bill, one question echoed through the West Wing:
Official Who Approved Air Force One Flyover May Be Fired
April 29, 2009
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs pointedly refused to rule out a firing in the case of the Air Force One backup’s flight that terrified some in New York City on Monday.
Foreclosure Prevention Plan Expanded to 2nd Mortgages
April 29, 2009
The Obama administration unveiled an expansion of its $75 billion foreclosure prevention plan yesterday, providing new subsidies to mortgage lenders and investors.
Despite Deals, Chrysler’s Fate Still Shaky
April 29, 2009
The Obama administration’s efforts to salvage Chrysler have kicked into high gear in recent days. A flurry of deals has unfolded that could give employees a 55 percent stake in the company, with Italian automaker Fiat eventually holding 35 percent, and the government and Chrysler’s lenders owning 10…
Health Authorities Study Swine Flu’s Differences in Severity
April 29, 2009
Health authorities raced yesterday to unravel the many mysteries about the ominous new swine flu spreading around the world, including how widely the virus might cause the severe form of illness that so far has been restricted to the epicenter of the outbreak in Mexico.
Will GOP Sleep Through Wake-Up Call?
April 29, 2009
How much more can the Republicans take? Demoralized, contracting and lacking their own agenda, Republicans yesterday saw their ranks further thinned with the stunning news that Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is switching parties to run for reelection in 2010 as a Democrat.
Appeals Court Rejects ‘State Secrets’ Claim, Revives Detainee Suit
April 29, 2009
A federal appeals court yesterday reinstated a lawsuit by five former detainees who sued a Boeing subsidiary over its alleged role in transporting them to foreign countries, where they say they suffered brutal interrogation under the CIA’s “black site” prison system.
Justices to Hear Challenge to Anti-Bias Law
April 29, 2009
Conservative legal activists who mean to liberate the mostly Southern states that bear the biggest burden under the Voting Rights Act lack support from a key group:
U.S. in Control: Its Goal To Fix, Not Run, Firms
April 29, 2009
When it comes to justifying state control of big corporations, Barack Obama is no Francois Mitterrand.
Specter Leaves GOP, Shifting Senate Balance
April 29, 2009
Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania provided a boost to President Obama’s ambitious legislative agenda yesterday by abandoning the Republican Party in the face of shifting political realities at home and an aggressive courtship by the White House and party leaders.