Topic: Joe Biden

Why Joe Biden is still pushing for assault weapons ban

For two days, Vice President Joe Biden has insisted that the assault weapons ban can still pass, even after the Senate dropped it. He has three reasons to keep making noise.

In interviews, new Pope Francis confirms commitment to poor

The Vote Hillary-Michelle in 2016: Awesome or awful?

'Hillary–Michelle in 2016' is the buzz on the Interwebs and TwitBook at the moment. Here's why such a hypothetical ticket would be awesome – and maybe not.

Boehner unable to join US delegation to Vatican

Boehner says in a statement that he'd like to go, but it's impossible with his duties including the budget debate and hosting the Irish prime minister at the Capitol.

Briefing After the 'sequester,' now what?

$85 billion in across-the-board cuts to defense and social programs took effect March 1. The cuts must occur this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Here's how things look.

Colorado gun control: Can state with pro-gun past enact new restrictions?

Colorado has a cultural history of gun ownership. It was also the site of two high-profile shootings. Five gun-control proposals are now moving through the Democratic-majority legislature.

Obama pokes fun at sequester at Gridiron dinner

At the annual Gridiron Club and Foundation dinner President Barack Obama joked about the sequester, Vice President Joe Biden, and Marco Rubio's sip of water.

Bridging the partisan divide: VP's chief of staff is 'Mr. Fix-It'

Bruce Reed, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, has a reputation for getting along with both parties, and often plays a key role in pushing the Obama administration's agenda.

Decoder Wire Rand Paul rises, Jeb Bush jockeys: a big week for possible 2016 contenders (+video)

It was a week of serious maneuvering for Sen. Rand Paul, former Gov. Jeb Bush, and the others who could be presidential contenders in 2016. Who helped or hurt themselves the most?

Opinion US, Israeli threats of force against Iran are illegal and harm chances for a deal

Even if we set aside the ethical and political implications of America's threatening Iran in the course of negotiations, there are two major legal issues with these threats. First, the 'threat of force' is illegal under international law. And second, any agreement reached by threat is invalid.

Why backroom deals are out in 'sequester' talks

Backroom deals resolved the debt-ceiling crisis and the 'fiscal cliff' – why not the sequester? Because the House Republican rank and file are not allowing it.

Just as Nixon went to China, should Obama go to Iran?

World powers, and the US in particular, need a game-changer to move Iran to a cooperative stance concerning its nuclear program, a few analysts argue. Such an Obama overture to Iran is a provocative idea, they say, but the alternative may be military confrontation.

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.

Decoder Wire Joe Biden promotes shotguns for self-defense. Is he off base? (+video)

Vice President Joe Biden told a questioner on a Facebook chat that a shotgun works as well as a semi-automatic weapon for self-defense. The comment is not wrong, but it's curious.

As clock ticks on 'sequester,' Washington runs short on ideas

President Obama takes to the bully pulpit again to blame Republicans even before sequester spending cuts begin. He's positioning himself for the debate to come, not to prevent the cuts from starting March 1.

Proposed assault weapons ban would protect more than 2,200 firearms

One model of the Ruger .223 caliber Mini-14 is on the proposed list to be banned, while a different model is on a list of exempted firearms. Both hold dozens of rounds of ammunition. 'What a joke,' says a former FBI agent wounded in a bank robbery shoot-out.

In State of the Union, Obama calls for free-trade pacts of historic scope

Obama's State of the Union bid to create vast free-trade areas with Europe and Asia signals that, by the end of his presidency, two pillars of a globalized trading system could be in place.

President Obama's State of the Union address full text

The text of the State of the Union address as prepared for delivery by President Barack Obama, and provided by the press office of the White House.

Domestic violence bill passes Senate: Is GOP chastened by Election 2012?

The Senate passes VAWA, a domestic-violence bill that was caught in gridlock last year. But signs suggest that the House could be ready to compromise with the Senate this year.

Focus State of the Union: Obama's ambitious second-term agenda (+video)

Prospects are mixed for President Obama's second-term agenda, from immigration to climate change to economic recovery. Both Obama and the Republicans are walking a tricky political line. 

Decoder Wire Why is Joe Biden talking guns with Field & Stream?

On Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden will sit down with editors of Field & Stream magazine to discuss the administration’s gun-control policies. He will have his work cut out for him.

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.

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.

National Prayer Breakfast: Obama cites quest for humility, hope for goodwill

President Obama, addressing the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday for the fifth time in his tenure, was by turns humorous and personal, emphasizing the need to face vexing problems with humility.

Iran's supreme leader shuts down possibility of direct nuclear talks with US (+video)

'Negotiations will not solve the problems' between Iran and the US, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today, squashing one-on-one nuclear talks proposed by the US.