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
How the tables have turned: The Internal Revenue Service is the one under the microscope now, as revelations emerged Friday 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.
All Content
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Did the Associated Press blow an Al Qaeda informant's cover?
Some officials say the Associated Press scoop on a thwarted terrorist plot by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen harmed the effort to neutralize a master bomb-builder. Does that excuse the Obama administration's aggressive crackdown on national security leaks?
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Showgirls dressed as Obama at Berlusconi's 'bunga bunga' parties
Showgirls dressed as Obama, Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho, as well as nuns and nurses at former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's parties. Karima El Mahroug testified about showgirls dressing up at a prostitution trial in Italy.
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IRS scandal becomes Republican battering ram against Obamacare (+video)
Republicans lawmakers say the scandal over Internal Revenue Service scrutiny of conservative groups raises new doubts about President Obama’s health-insurance reform law.
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Obama: Carole King concert at White House
Obama: Carole King will be presented the Gershwin Prize by President Obama during a White House concert. In addition to Carole King, the concert will include Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, Emeli Sandé, James Taylor, and Trisha Yearwood.
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Can Democrats find moderate candidates in time for midterms?
Democrats may struggle to recruit moderate and conservative-leaning candidates for the 2014 midterm elections in states with the most competitive Senate races.
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North Korea fires three short-range missiles. Why? (+video)
The firing of three short-range missiles Saturday by North Korea could be to improve their accuracy. Or it could be atmospherics as a period of tentative diplomacy begins.
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Feds rooting out 'unwelcome speech' on campus: But what is that?
The failure of the University of Montana to respond adequately to sexual assault allegations has led to a broadening of how the federal government defines verbal harassment. Free speech advocates worry that the new policy will chill the right to speak freely on campus.
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Energy Voices US eases natural gas glut with second export terminal (+video)
The Energy Department authorizes a second US terminal to export liquefied natural gas (LNG), ending months of speculation. LNG exports boost the prospects for domestic natural gas drillers and should help key allies, but they're also likely to boost prices for US consumers and manufacturers and they raise environmental concerns.
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'Obamagate' danger for the GOP: political overreach
Republicans are jumping all over what they see as major scandals in the Obama administration, including Benghazi, the IRS, and checking journalists’ phone records. But some in the GOP are warning against the perception of overreach for partisan purposes.
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Hearing on IRS: What ousted chief offers, Republicans don't buy
Steven Miller, who resigned as acting IRS head this week, argued that the extra scrutiny for conservative groups amounted to ‘foolish mistakes.’ House Republicans see some problems reaching the White House.
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Energy Voices New fracking regulations upset just about everybody
Environmentalists and industry representatives are criticizing new draft regulations on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial drilling method that has helped spark an oil and gas boom. The shared discontent reflects the complexity of the debate surrounding hydraulic fracturing and natural gas use.
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Energy Voices Canada boosts advertising budget for tar sands, Keystone XL
Canada has increased their expenditure on advertising for tar sands and the Keystone XL pipeline from $9 million in 2012, to $16.5 million in 2013, Peixe writes. The advertising campaign is targeted at Obama administration officials, hoping to sway their opinion on Keystone XL.
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Venezuela's Maduro still waiting on Washington's recognition
More than a month since Maduro was elected Venezuelan president by less than 2 percent of the vote, the US has not recognized his victory. A partial recount of the ballot is currently underway.
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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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Former IRS commissioner apologizes on Capitol Hill: 'Foolish mistakes were made'
Stephen Miller, the ousted acting commissioner of the IRS, appeared before the House Ways and Means committee Friday and apologized for the agency's inappropriate investigation of tea party and other conservative organizations.
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Why Afghanistan is nervous about the US troop withdrawal
By December 2014 the Afghan National Security Forces that have been built by the US and NATO will be left to largely stand on their own.
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Decoder Wire Bob Woodward compares Benghazi with Watergate. Is he right? (+video)
The similarities: line-by-line edits of what to tell the public, says Bob Woodward, the media's authority on all things Watergate. Regarding the White House Benghazi edits, they show pressure 'in the system not to tell the truth' about what happened, he said Friday.
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Obama pledges to halt military sexual abuse
On Thursday, Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno acknowledged the military is failing to stop sexual assaults. President Barack Obama vowed to leave no stone unturned to halt the abuse.
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Robert Reich The problem with Obama's second term
President Obama is allowing the controversies that typically arise in a second term dominate his presidency because he has failed to define his core agenda. Is it a grand bargain on the budget deficit, gun control, jobs, or immigration reform? It's hard to tell.
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Tax VOX Free the IRS from regulating political speech
The Supreme Court pushed the IRS into the morass of regulating political speech with its Citizens United decision. Congress needs to pull the IRS out of the political swamp.
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Energy Voices Ernest Moniz confirmed unanimously as Energy secretary
Ernest Moniz earned bipartisan approval Thursday as the Senate voted 97-0 to confirm the nuclear physicist as the next secretary of the Department of Energy. The support for Ernest Moniz is in contrast to divided opinions over Gina McCarthy, President Obama's pick to head the EPA.
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US loses track of terrorists in witness protection: Poor data sharing blamed
The Justice Department inspector general found 'significant deficiencies' in the handling of known or suspected terrorists under the federal government's witness protection program.
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For politicians, Twitter remains a learning process
What does it take to get as many followers as Newark Mayor Cory Booker or State Department official Alec Ross? Many politicians struggle as they discover that's not all Twitter is about.
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Decoder Wire Why furor over IRS tea-party scandal won't subside, despite ouster
The removal of the acting IRS chief and Thursday's appointment of a new one will do little to quiet the storm over the tax agency's targeting of politically conservative nonprofit groups. What steps might?
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Opinion: Why are Obamacare supporters attacking job creators?
When seemingly organized Obamacare supporters attack small business leaders who express concern about the health-care law, job creators are no longer just uncertain about how their business will be impacted by the law. They are afraid – for their businesses and to speak out.
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