44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - April 26, 2009

Will Obama Seek to Defuse Conflicts Over Confirmation?

As Senator, Obama decried battles over judges, but record shows contradictions.

By Post Editor | May 2, 2009; 4:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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Obama Lays Out Steps Taken to Counter Flu

By Scott Wilson President Obama used his weekly radio address Saturday to reassure the public...

By Web Politics Editor | May 2, 2009; 1:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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Supreme Court Justices Respond to Souter News

The justices of the Supreme Court this afternoon released statements reacting to news their colleague...

By Web Politics Editor | May 1, 2009; 6:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Primary Source
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A Tweeter in the White House

The White House today announced a presence on Twitter, Facebook and Myspace in an afternoon blog post on WhiteHouse.gov.

By Web Politics Editor | May 1, 2009; 5:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: The Clickocracy
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Obama Told Staff of Court Short List in December

A month before he was sworn into office, President Obama provided his senior staff with the names of several individuals he would consider to fill a potential Supreme Court vacancy.

By Web Politics Editor | May 1, 2009; 4:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama
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Souter Tells Obama of Resignation in Letter

Letter from Justice Souter to President Obama, May 1, 2009. Updated 4:23 p.m. Justice David...

By Web Politics Editor | May 1, 2009; 3:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Primary Source
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Pressure Groups Begin to Weigh In

In the first signs of what is sure to be an avalanche of lobbying to come, advocacy groups today began the process of arguing for and against certain Supreme Court candidates, or categories of candidates.

By Web Politics Editor | May 1, 2009; 1:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (17)

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Supreme Court: The Contenders

As President Obama begins the search for a replacement for Justice David H. Souter, the following people are being mentioned as possible nominees by administration officials, interest groups and others who watch the court.

By Web Politics Editor | May 1, 2009; 11:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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The Legacy of Justice David Souter

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By Web Politics Editor | May 1, 2009; 10:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Obama, Washington Gear Up for a Fresh Supreme Court Fight

By Ben Pershing On the 100th day of his term, President Obama averred that he...

By Ben Pershing | May 1, 2009; 8:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: The Rundown
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POTUS Events: Finalizing the Cabinet

President Obama makes remarks on the automotive industry with Cabinet and members of his auto...

By washingtonpost.com | May 1, 2009; 7:11 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: The Daybook
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Pew Study: 2008 Electorate Most Diverse Yet

The share of the electorate accounted for by white voters was at an all-time low of 76.3 percent.

By Web Politics Editor | April 30, 2009; 6:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: The Pollster
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Rice Defends Enhanced Interrogations

Former secretary of State and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice gave a finger-wagging defense of enhanced interrogation techniques to a persistent Stanford University student.

By Web Politics Editor | April 30, 2009; 1:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (66)
Categories: National Security
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Obama's Remarks at Food Bank

First lady Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and more than 150 congressional spouses visited the...

By Marcia Davis | April 30, 2009; 12:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: The First Lady
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Feeding the Swine-Flu Frenzy

Biden cautions Americans to avoid mass transit, leading to what the acting CDC director called "a teachable moment."

By Lexie Verdon | April 30, 2009; 10:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (71)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, B_Blog, Joe Biden
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Changing Washington Proves Harder Than Expected

At his press conference Wednesday night marking his 100th day in office, Obama showed how Washington has begun to change him.

By Lexie Verdon | April 30, 2009; 10:07 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: B_Blog, Dan Balz's Take
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Lots of Headlines, Little News at Obama Presser

By Ben Pershing What was the headline from President Obama's 100th-day press conference? Depends on...

By Ben Pershing | April 30, 2009; 8:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: The Rundown
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POTUS Events: Soldier Ride

President Obama speaks during a press conference in the East Room of the White House,...

By Washington Post editors | April 30, 2009; 7:49 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: The Daybook
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GOP's Big Names Try to Forge New Agenda

By Perry Bacon Jr. Looking to rebrand a struggling Republican Party, a group of party...

By Washington Post Editor | April 30, 2009; 6:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (74)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Republican Party
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Live Blogging Obama's 100 Days Presser

President Obama speaks during a news conference tonight in the East Room at the...

By Paul Volpe | April 29, 2009; 7:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (33)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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At Food Bank, First Lady Packs Her Bags

On the 100th day of the Obama administration, first lady Michelle Obama visited the Capital Area Food Bank to assemble more than 2,000 bags of food for hungry children in the Washington area.

By Web Politics Editor | April 29, 2009; 7:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: The First Lady
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Obama: 'Off to a Good Start'

The White House released advance excerpts, as prepared for delivery, from President Obama's speech to the nation tonight.

By Web Politics Editor | April 29, 2009; 6:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Primary Source
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On Day 100, New Questions for Obama

At home and abroad, much remains to be determined about the course of Obama's presidency.

By Post Editor | April 29, 2009; 12:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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'Swine Flu' Name Sticks at Some Government Agencies

The message that the virus is now being called the H1N1 flu virus has been slow to penetrate the vast federal bureaucracy.

By Web Politics Editor | April 29, 2009; 12:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Health Care
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The Official Presidential Flickr Photostream

Just in time for the "100 days" milestone, White House photographer Pete Souza has opened an "Official White House Photostream" on Flickr with several hundred photographs from President Obama's first months in office.

By Web Politics Editor | April 29, 2009; 11:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Washington Life
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Obama: 'Specter Has My Full Support'

President Obama said he will offer Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter his full support when...

By Web Politics Editor | April 29, 2009; 11:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Video Report
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At 100-Day Mark, Obama Report Cards Mostly Positive

By Ben Pershing On the 98th day of President Obama's term, it looked as though...

By Ben Pershing | April 29, 2009; 8:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: The Rundown
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POTUS Events: Introducing Specter the Democrat

President Obama walks from the Rose Garden to the Oval Office, April 28, 2009. (Charles...

By Washington Post editors | April 29, 2009; 8:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: The Daybook
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Obama, Specter, Biden Plan an Early Get-Together

By Michael D. Shear President Obama will join the newest member of the Democratic Party...

By Post Editor | April 28, 2009; 9:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Democratic Party
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Sebelius Confirmed as Secretary of HHS

Sebelius was confirmed by a 65-31 vote this afternoon.

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 6:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (27)
Categories: B_Blog, Cabinet
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Obama Defends Afghanistan Strategy to House Progressives

President Obama defended his strategy in Afghanistan to a group of liberal House Democrats who have been skeptical of his approach.

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 5:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Democratic Party
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With Eye on Industry, Ag Secretary Stops Calling Outbreak 'Swine Flu'

"This really isn't swine flu. It's H1N1 virus," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said at an afternoon news briefing.

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 5:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Security
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Specter: Move to Democratic Party a 'Painful Decision'

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By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 3:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Video Report
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Air Force One Foul-up Lands Caldera on Thin Ice

Asked repeatedly today by reporters whether Louis Caldera, the official who made the decision, would lose his job, Gibbs pointedly did not express confidence in him.

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 2:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: B_Blog, Security
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Napolitano: Border With Mexico to Stay Open for Now

By Spencer S. Hsu Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano rejected calls to close the U.S.-Mexico...

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 2:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Foggy Bottom
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Obama Requests $1.5 Billion for Swine Flu Efforts

By Michael D. Shear President Obama today asked Congress for an additional $1.5 billion to...

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 2:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)

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Specter's Departure a Wake Up Call for GOP

Specter's defection is a reminder that the Republican Party continues to contract, especially outside the South.

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 1:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (405)
Categories: B_Blog, Dan Balz's Take
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Obama Emphasizes Values in Speech to FBI

By Michael D. Shear President Obama squarely confronted critics of his decision to prohibit torture,...

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 12:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Barack Obama
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Specter To Switch Parties

Updated By Chris Cillizza Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch his party affiliation from Republican...

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 12:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Hill Transition
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Obama, Progressive Democrats to Talk War Funding

The 77-member Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), a block of the most liberal House Democrats, will hold its first meeting with the president this afternoon in a session could illustrate some of the divides between Obama and some of the more liberal members of the party on a number of issues.

By Web Politics Editor | April 28, 2009; 11:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Democratic Party
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For Obama so far, Swine Flu a Health Crisis, Not a Political Crisis

By Ben Pershing Often, anything a president touches immediately turns to politics. So far, that...

By Ben Pershing | April 28, 2009; 8:31 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: The Rundown
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White House: Obama 'Never in Any Danger' from Swine Flu

In the middle of an emerging public health crisis, the White House struggled repeatedly today to convince the world -- and more importantly, the press corps -- that the president was healthy.

By Web Politics Editor | April 27, 2009; 7:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Health Care
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Scholars Urge Confirmation of Johnsen to OLC

A bipartisan coalition of scholars this afternoon pressed the Senate to move ahead with a vote on the nomination of Dawn Johnsen to lead a critical Justice Department unit that provided a rationale for waterboarding and other harsh interrogation practices during the Bush years.

By Web Politics Editor | April 27, 2009; 3:41 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: DEPT. OF JURISPRUDENCE
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Obama Proposes Massive Increase in Science Funding

By Michael D. Shear Somewhat overshadowed by the swine flu crisis today was President Obama's...

By Web Politics Editor | April 27, 2009; 2:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)

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Biden Hails Stimulus Bill at Chicago Window Plant

Almost five months after Chicago's Republic Windows and Doors factory closed abruptly just weeks before Christmas, leaving about 260 people unemployed, those workers are preparing to start jobs again in what Vice President Biden today said was a prime example of the economic stimulus at work.

By Web Politics Editor | April 27, 2009; 1:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Economy
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44: April 26, 2009 - May 2, 2009