Topic: George W. Bush

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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.
George H. W. Bush in his own words: 10 stories from the updated 'All the Best, George Bush'

"All the Best, George Bush" is a collection of the personal correspondence of George H. W. Bush from his first years in the Navy in 1942 all the way to 2011. Here are 10 excerpts from the book.
Hugo Chavez: 10 outrageous things he said about the US

Hugo Chavez, whose death was announced Tuesday, will be remembered worldwide as much for what he said as for what he did during his 14-year rule of Venezuela. From the vitriolic to bizarre, here is a list of 10 outrageous comments he made about the “Yankee empire” and its leaders.
Eight open US Senate seats in 2014

Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.
Presidential libraries: from Boston to Honolulu ... or maybe Chicago

Presidential libraries can be found coast to coast, and may even go beyond that once a site is selected for President Obama's future repository of documents and artifacts. To quickly hopscotch around to the 13 official presidential libraries and museums overseen by the National Archives, plus that of Abraham Lincoln, check out this library list.

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C. Everett Koop, Reagan's revolutionary surgeon general, dies

When C. Everett Koop finished his 8-year term as surgeon general in 1989, he left behind a landscape where AIDS was a top research and educational priority, smoking was considered a public health hazard, and access to abortion remained largely intact.
Opinion: 'Zero Dark Thirty' has the facts wrong – and that's a problem, not just for the Oscars

The movie 'Zero Dark Thirty' is a gripping drama and credible contender in this year’s Oscar competition – nominated for five Academy Awards. But because it advertises itself as factually grounded, I have to point out: On each of its three major points, the film gets the story wrong.
Tax VOX How to simplify the tax code in 2013

Making the tax code less complicated and more efficient may not achieve the rate-cutting, base-broadening reform many want, Gleckman writes, but it can have important consequences for real people.
The Vote White House correspondents' dinner: Conan O'Brien too safe for 'nerd prom'? (+video)

The White House correspondents' dinner is about the hippest thing going, by D.C. standards. The host is always a big deal. So what does Conan O'Brien bring to the table?
Robert Reich Entitlement reform and immigration reform: How are they connected?

One logical way to help deal with the crisis of funding Social Security and Medicare is to have more workers per retiree, Reich writes, and the simplest way to do that is to allow more immigrants into the United States.
Focus US 'pivot to Asia': Is John Kerry retooling it?

A focus of American resources on Asia was a major priority when Hillary Rodham Clinton was secretary of State. But it is unclear if John Kerry will follow her approach exactly, many regional analysts say.
Opinion: A civics lesson for 20-somethings

Many young people drop out of civic life because we set them up to fail. In the Obama era, we talk about social change in such grandiose terms that anything after is bound to feel insignificant in comparison. I've learned that civic engagement, above all else, requires resilience.
Nebraska Republican, Senator Mike Johanns, will not seek re-election

Senator Mike Johanns, former Governor of Nebraska, and former agriculture secretary under George W. Bush, announced Monday he will not seek re-election in 2014. Johanns said in a statement he wants to spend more quiet time with family.
Decoder Wire Will Republicans regret the decision to delay Chuck Hagel's nomination?

Republicans flexed some political muscle with their unprecedented filibuster of a cabinet nominee. But it could open them to charges of 'obstructionism' and lead to more constraints on the power of the minority.
The legacy of London's Iraq War march of 2003

Despite failing to prevent Britain from joining the US invasion of Iraq, the UK’s largest-ever political demonstration left a lasting political and cultural legacy.
Marco Rubio's GOP response to Obama's State of the Union

The text of the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address (including water break), as prepared for delivery by Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, and provided by the press office of the speaker of the House:
Focus State of the Union: Can Obama still be transformational?

In his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Obama can fuel talk that he is the Democrats’ Ronald Reagan – an iconic figure whose goals guide his party's next generation.
Capabilities of U.S. missile shield questioned

Studies by the Defense Department, as well as the Russian government, question whether a US defense system planned for Eastern Europe would ever be able to intercept missiles from Iran.
Obama will pivot back to jobs in State of the Union

President Barack Obama is expected to readdress job creation and the economy in his State of the Union address Tuesday, speaking on how improvements to education, clean energy production, and reducing the deficit could lead to economic growth.
Eight open US Senate seats in 2014

Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.
Bush family e-mails hacked: Was anything stolen of value (beyond privacy)? (+video)

Hacked Bush family e-mail released to date shed light on George H.W. Bush's 'kindness and good nature,' the family's concern for his health, and, perhaps, a preview of a W. art exhibit.
The Monitor's View: A rightful airing of Obama drone policy

In the latest concern over war tactics against terrorists, President Obama had to release his guidelines for the use of drones in targeted killings. To help ensure constancy and consistency in civic values during wartime, Congress must openly debate this policy.
Will John Brennan get hit hard for drone policies in Senate hearing? (+video)

John Brennan, President Obama's pick for CIA director, is sure to get an earful from some senators about the administration’s rationale for drone strikes against terror suspects, including US citizens.
Opinion: Do we want drone-architect John Brennan as CIA chief?

At John Brennan's Senate confirmation hearing, the candidate for CIA director should be asked about the killing of Americans, civilian victims of drone strikes, extraordinary renditions, and torture. Do those actions make us safer? Are they consistent with US laws and values?
Vox News Why Dick Morris is out at Fox, but Karl Rove survives

Both pundits were way off in their predictions for the 2012 elections. But Karl Rove is still a GOP player, while Dick Morris isn't. Fox's decision to drop Sarah Palin also fits the scheme.
Deborah Hersman for Transportation secretary? She ducks comment.

Deborah Hersman, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, is a top candidate for the cabinet post, reports say. But she wouldn't comment directly at a Monitor breakfast Wednesday.
Can drone strikes target US citizens? Critics say rules are vague.

Criticism of the leaked Justice Department document – which allows for drone strikes against top level terrorists who are US citizens – is piling up from both the right and left, with critics charging that its language is too permissive.
How Literature Saved My Life

Looking through a hyper-personal lens, David Shields offers opinions and proclamations on what makes particular writers important.
After his rough Senate hearing, Chuck Hagel gets a boost from backers

His confirmation hearing performance was universally described as 'lackluster' at best – and far worse by many accounts. But Defense Secretary-nominee Chuck Hagel got some support Sunday, including another Republican backer in the Senate.
Decoder Wire Obama Super Bowl interview: Should he expect a grilling?

On Sunday, the president will sit down with CBS News's Scott Pelley. Given that last week's '60 Minutes' interview was widely panned as a puff piece, this one may be tougher than expected.