44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - May 30, 2010

In weekly address, Obama offers empathy for Gulf Coast

President Obama recorded his weekly Internet address from Grand Isle, La., on Friday, with a message of empathy for the people of the Gulf Coast who are suffering from the effects of the oil spill.

By Washington Post Editor | June 5, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (138)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Barack Obama | Tags: obama radio address; obama gulf coast; obama oil spill; steele republican response; joe sestak; andrew romanoff
Save & Share:

Washington PR firms cashing in on BP spill

As the environmental catastrophe in the Gulf continues, beleaguered international oil firm BP is beefing up its communications apparatus and turning to some of Washington's best known lobbyists and public relations pros.

By Garance Franke-Ruta | June 4, 2010; 11:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Obama postpones Indonesia, Australia trip again

By Michael D. Shear President Obama has once again postponed his trip to Indonesia and...

By Michael D. Shear | June 4, 2010; 12:21 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

'Furious' Obama talks to Larry King about BP, immigration, LeBron James

President Obama told CNN's Larry King Wednesday that he is "furious at this entire situation" in the Gulf of Mexico because "somebody didn't think through the consequences of their actions," according to advance excerpts of the interview, which is set to air Thursday night at 9 p.m.

By Garance Franke-Ruta | June 3, 2010; 3:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (51)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Barack Obama
Save & Share:

Gibbs: 'Pounding on a podium is not going to fix a hole in the ocean'

"Pounding on a podium is not going to fix a hole in the ocean," Gibbs said. "I think what the American people and the citizens of the gulf are expecting are results... I'll leave the emotional psychiatry to others."

By Spencer S. Hsu | June 3, 2010; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Senator takes on bad call on Galarraga perfect game

Sen. Debbie Stabenow has issued a statement demanding MLB Commissioner Bud Selig overturn the bad call by an umpire that ruined Detroit Tiger Armando Galaragga's bid for a perfect game.

By Washington Post staff | June 3, 2010; 2:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Alabama's Davis: Time to find something new to do in life

Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) declared his political career at an end a day after his decisive primary defeat in the contest to become Alabama's governor.

By Garance Franke-Ruta | June 3, 2010; 2:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: 2010 Election, 44 The Obama Presidency, Capitol Briefing
Save & Share:

Griffith: Party switch 'may have been a mistake, politically'

Here's a nomination for the understatement of the year: Rep. Parker Griffith (R-Ala.), fresh off a GOP primary loss after switching parties, said during a press conference Wednesday that it "may have been a mistake, politically" to leave the Democratic Party.

By 44 Editor | June 3, 2010; 12:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

George W. Bush joins Facebook

America's 43rd president has joined Facebook and Twitter.

By Garance Franke-Ruta | June 2, 2010; 4:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Ex-Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer indicted on six felony counts

The Orlando Sun-Sentinel is reporting that Jim Greer, former head of the Florida Republican Party, has been arrested, according to law enforcement officials. No word yet on the charge(s), but the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has scheduled a press conference for 11:30 a.m. ET.

By 44 Editor | June 2, 2010; 2:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (64)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

About that Indonesia trip...

The on-again, off-again, on-again presidential trip to Indonesia and Australia may be -- wait for it -- off again.

By Michael D. Shear | June 2, 2010; 1:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Navy alerted Kirk to media inquiries into his military record

The Navy notified Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) last week that he had misstated his military record, even though Kirk said over the weekend that the error was discovered by his staff.

By Felicia Sonmez | June 1, 2010; 7:54 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (30)
Categories: 2010 Election, 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Obama will meet Arizona's governor at White House on Thursday

President Obama will sit down Thursday with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) at the White House, where they will discuss her state's controversial immigration law and the broader issue of border security, a White House official said Tuesday night.

By Michael D. Shear | June 1, 2010; 7:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

U.S. attorney general opens criminal probe of Gulf oil spill, nation's worst

The U.S. government has launched a criminal probe into BP Plc's massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday.

By A Post editor | June 1, 2010; 4:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (72)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

James Cameron meets with feds on oil spill

"Top kill" didn't stop the Gulf oil spill. How about something "titanic"? Federal officials are hoping film director James Cameron can help them come up with ideas on how to stop the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

By Associated Press | June 1, 2010; 3:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Obama demands thorough probe of oil spill

President Barack Obama gave the leaders of an independent commission investigating the Gulf oil spill marching orders Tuesday to thoroughly examine the disaster and its causes to ensure that the nation never faces such a catastrophe again. He said if any laws were broken, people will be prosecuted. Obama spoke in the Rose Garden on Tuesday after meeting with the co-chairmen of the commission, Bob Graham, a former Florida governor and U.S. senator, and William K. Reilly, a former head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

By Micheal D. Shear | June 1, 2010; 1:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Al and Tipper Gore to separate after 40 years of marriage

After forty years of marriage, Al and Tipper Gore are separating, the couple announced in an e-mail to friends Tuesday morning. "This is very much a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration," the former vice president and his wife said in the email first reported by Politico. "We ask for respect for our privacy and that of our family, and we do not intend to comment further." Gore's spokeswoman later confirmed the validity of the e-mail.

By Reliable Source | June 1, 2010; 12:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (59)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency | Tags: al gore
Save & Share:

Markey: BP oil spill is 'criminal'; BP: Oil leak may continue until August; Powell on 'don't ask' repeal: 'Things have changed'

Sunday Rundown: A quick talk show wrap-up.

By 44 Editor | May 30, 2010; 3:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Powell: 'Things have changed' on 'don't ask, don't tell'

Gen. Colin Powell once one of the architects of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" law, said this morning that he is personally in favor of repealing the policy.

By Felicia Sonmez | May 30, 2010; 12:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (74)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
Save & Share:

Network News

44: May 30, 2010 - June 5, 2010