Topic: Barack Obama
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes
Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal
The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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3 priorities for Pakistan's new government
After 14 years, Nawaz Sharif is back at the helm in Pakistan. The nuclear-armed country faces a welter of problems, from terrorism to tensions with Afghanistan, India, and the United States. To move Pakistan forward, Mr. Sharif must focus on three priorities.
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Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan
President Obama’s Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won’t help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.
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5 myths about amnesty for illegal immigrants in Senate bill
Under a bipartisan Senate immigration bill, immigrants who have come to the United States illegally are given a "path to citizenship." On close inspection, each of the following five claims about the requirements for illegal immigrants to earn amnesty are not what they seem.
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Obama to send ambassador to Syria, ending four-year hiatus
Damascus sees the move as a concrete indication that Obama is serious about improving ties. The US hopes to use Syrian leverage against Iran and Hezbollah.
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Sanford's affair: a distraction the GOP doesn't need
Sex scandal engulfing South Carolina's governor may keep Republicans from focusing on their real task: to define an alternative vision to Obama's.
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Pelosi embarks on 'tricky business' of passing climate bill
A successful vote Friday could give the administration momentum on its biggest priority: healthcare reform.
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House intern faints, Obama's health plan to the rescue
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Live blogging Mark Sanford's weird press conference
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By reopening Syria embassy, Obama mends more fences with Arabs
The controversial move reverses the Bush administration's decision to withdraw its ambassador from Damascus in 2005.
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For Obama, a careful 'outrage' at Iran
The president responded to critics who accused him of not condemning Iran's crackdown of pro-democracy protesters. But he also kept his options open.
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Obama to make it easier to apply for college aid
The administration will reduce the number of questions on federal forms – currently so tortuous they deter many from applying.
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Opinion: My talk with Hamas about peace with Israel
The US should follow the Northern Ireland and South African models – which had principles, not preconditions.
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IndieBound* paperback bestseller list 6/21/09
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North Korean ship poses challenge for US allies along its route
Thailand and Singapore have longstanding military ties with America but also trade with Burma, where the vessel is headed.
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France: liberty, equality, and fraternity – but no burqas
After Sarkozy's speech, France divided over prospect of ban.
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US gives carmakers $8 billion to go electric
The Energy Department made the announcement Tuesday, just as Nissan said it will start selling an all-electric car in the US next year.
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Illegal immigrants netted by local police could be released
The Obama administration directive comes as the president begins to assert control of the immigration issue.
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Why healthcare reform is still alive, despite initial cost estimates
Dire pronouncements aside, the process is just getting started, with legislation at a formative stage and Obama yet to offer his plan.
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Obama's toughest words yet on Iran crackdown
The US and world are 'appalled and outraged,' Obama said Tuesday. His answer to critics who want stronger censure? 'I am president' of the US.
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Grim poll numbers for Speaker Pelosi
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Obama calls himself a former smoker despite still smoking
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In battle of the burqa, Obama and Sarkozy differ
During speech Monday, Sarkozy suggested that the traditional female Islamic dress was a form of enslavement. But Obama backed freedom of religious expression in his Cairo speech.
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Iraq: forgotten and in trouble?
Saturday's massive bomb in Kirkuk, combined with political gridlock, raises questions about how ready Iraq is for the withdrawal of US troops from cities by June 30.
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Guantánamo detainee, considered an enemy by both sides, is ordered freed
A federal judge orders release of a Syrian national who Al Qaeda suspected was a US spy.
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Easy for suspected terrorists to buy guns in the US, report says
One senator calls this the 'terror gap' and vows to plug it, but gun owners fear the government might use the FBI's terror list to crack down on law-abiding citizens.
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Many Iranian-American protesters fear to speak too boldly
They want the story of their homeland told, but they worry about reprisals against relatives in Iran, as well as from pro-regime groups here in the US.
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Opinion: Long live the Democrats? Not so fast.
To stay in power they must sell the idea of benevolent government and capture Republican populism.
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The Monitor's View: Obama's immigration straddle
If he wants Americans to consider a "path to citizenship" for illegal aliens, he'll have to lead on "enforcement first."
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