Topic: Joe Biden

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Does Tory opposition to gay marriage signal a UK 'culture war'?

More than 100 Conservative MPs voted against the gay marriage bill backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, but support from Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs carried the vote.
It's 'common sense' – or is it? The politics of Obama's new favorite phrase.

Politicians from the president to the tea party use the rhetoric of 'common sense' to support their thinking on key issues. But is the phrase really telling us anything at all?
New hurdle for nuclear talks: Iran's presidential politics (+video)

Iran's foreign minister said he was 'optimistic' about looming nuclear talks. But political sparring ahead of June presidential elections could stymie any dealmaking now.
Iran says US offer of direct talks a 'step forward, but...'

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi responded positively to the US offer, but blamed previous negotiation failures on the US.
Protests surge in Iraq's Sunni regions, testing Maliki

Across majority Sunni Arab towns in Iraq today hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets,, complaining Sunnis are being targeted by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government.
Opinion Gabrielle Giffords and NRA are both right about one thing: US culture of violence

Gabrielle Giffords made a compelling plea at the Senate hearings on gun control today, but the National Rifle Association's Wayne LaPierre is also partly right: Banning guns won’t address a pervasive culture of violence that doesn't distinguish between real and virtual violence.
Opinion 6 reasons why President Obama will defeat the NRA and win universal background checks

Something is going to happen this session in the US Congress that hasn’t happened in more than a decade: The National Rifle Association (NRA) is going to lose on a top priority issue. Here are six reasons why President Obama will win a victory on universal background checks.
Decoder Wire Obama and Clinton on '60 Minutes': What's the fallout? (+video)

An unusual '60 Minutes' joint interview gave Obama and Clinton a platform to talk about each other, rather than the attack in Benghazi, and send a message of Democratic Party unity.
Why Fox News dropped Sarah Palin

After John McCain picked Sarah Palin out of relative obscurity to be his vice presidential running mate, she became a political force of nature. Since then, however, her star has lost its luster within the GOP, and she’s parted ways with Fox News.
Sundance 2013: Documentaries shine in Utah

At the Sundance Film Festival, docs like 'Twenty Feet From Stardom' and 'The Crash Reel' show some of the best the industry has to offer.
White House, gun advocates find small piece of common ground

President Obama's FY2014 budget will double funding for the national ballistic imaging system, an aid to law enforcement. A participant in the Jan. 10 meeting with Biden had suggested the move.
What is it about an inauguration that lightens the mood on Capitol Hill?

At a post-inaugural lunch on Capitol Hill, Obama and US lawmakers put rancor aside, and comity and laughter presided. On Inauguration Day, at least, Washington can still get along.
Decoder Wire Is it wrong for NRA to drag Obama's daughters into gun-control fight?

Amid discussion in Washington of new gun-control measures, the NRA releases an online ad that cites the Secret Service protection of Sasha and Malia Obama as an example of how President Obama is a 'hypocrite' on guns.
Decoder Wire How Democrats might get to 'yes' on gun control

To move their agenda on reducing gun violence forward, congressional Democrats will have to woo, and reassure, gun owners. But that won't preclude some tough political maneuvering.
Obama warns of 'disaster' if House GOP doesn't raise debt ceiling

In the final press conference of his first term, President Obama called on House Republicans to pay the bills Congress has already racked up. He also reiterated that he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling.
Newtown group to launch anti-violence initiative (+video)

Sandy Hook Promise, formerly known as Newtown United, said it invited victims' families to the announcement, which comes exactly one month after the Dec. 14 massacre.
NRA: Not enough votes in Congress to pass assault weapon ban

But some lawmakers say last month's school shooting in Connecticut, where a gunman with a legally purchased high-powered rifle shot dead 20 young children and six adults, has transformed the debate and that Americans are ready for stricter gun laws.
Gun lobby: Congress doesn't have the muscle to pass gun control (+video)

A month after Sandy Hook shootings, lawmakers are scaling back expectations on what can be achieved in Congress on gun control. But Democrats are urging the White House to use executive powers.
Seven questions and answers about the inauguration

Why is the inauguration always January 20? What happens when it falls on a Sunday? How many inaugural balls are there? The US presidential inauguration is full of history and tradition. Here's a look at President Obama's big day in question and answer form.
Gun debate 101: Time for 'universal' background checks on buyers?

Expanded background checks may well be among Vice President Biden's recommended gun policy reforms in response to the Newtown school shootings. They'd be aimed at closing the 'gun show loophole.' Here's what that would mean.
Obama's second inauguration may be smaller, but will still sparkle

While the crowd attending President Barack Obama's second inauguration Jan. 21 is expected to be much smaller than four years ago, the event will certainly be a star-studded celebration. The first family will lead a festive parade and pop celebrities Beyonce and Katy Perry will preform.
Police in schools 'not the answer,' coalition says, urging broader strategy

Civil rights groups, educators, and law enforcement representatives say police in schools, 'while well-intentioned,' can end up causing other problems for students the police are there to protect.
School shooting in California: Student told teacher, 'I don't want to shoot you'

Recounting the suspect's words, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said the confrontation with the teacher was enough of a distraction to give 28 students time to escape their classroom Thursday at Taft High School.
Video games next on Joe Biden's quest to stop gun violence (+video)

Vice President Joe Biden meets with video game industry reps on Friday to talk about gun violence. Biden met with execs from the movie and cable TV industries on Thursday.
Gun control: Biden sees early consensus, but NRA cries foul

Vice President Joe Biden met with a number of groups Thursday, but the NRA objected to the focus of the meeting it attended. Universal background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines are two ideas emerging.