Topic: Joe Biden

White House correspondents' after-dinner jokes: Best zingers from the 'nerd prom' (+video)

Saturday night was the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Here are some of the best jokes, plus a menu designed especially for Washington and Hollywood celebrities.

Veteran dealmaker Max Baucus announces Senate retirement

A centrist Democrat in a conservative state, Max Baucus has taken many tough votes over his six terms in the Senate, but battles over guns and health care loomed large in his reelection bid.

Decoder Wire Four reasons the Senate gun control bill may be kaput

The Senate is slated to vote Wednesday on nine gun control provisions, but prospects for passage for several – including expanding background checks to more gun buyers – look dim. Here's why.

Change Agent Circle of Six aims to stop rape

A phone app that quickly alerts six friends if a woman feels threatened is expanding from the US to New Delhi and possibly Mexico City.

Voices of Newtown: How gun violence victims became effective lobbyists (+video)

The testimony of Newtown parents and others who have lost loved ones to gun violence has become a potent political force on Capitol Hill as lawmakers debate stronger gun safety measures.

USA Update Obama, like everyone, must face the tax man. Here are his numbers.

President Obama is wealthy, but his income has been dropping in recent years, mainly due to a decline in book revenues. In releasing his 2012 return, the White House again pushed for tax reform.

Decoder Wire Sarah Palin Tesla slap: Elon Musk says he's 'wounded'

Sarah Palin Tesla tweet lumps the car maker and its luxury Model S in with other tax-subsided 'losers.' Tesla founder Elon Musk couldn't resist tweeting a response, but he should have.

Election results: Gun control advocate wins Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat

Election results: Former Illinois state Rep. Robin Kelly easily captured Tuesday's special election for the Congressional seat previously held by Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who vacated it under an ethical cloud.

USA Update Newtown family members entreat Congress over need for gun controls

Family members of the children and educators killed in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting are on Capitol Hill Tuesday, lobbying on behalf of Obama's push for gun control legislation.

Sandy Hook families on Air Force One: why it matters

In an unusual move, 11 family members of Sandy Hook victims will fly with President Obama back to Washington on Air Force One so they can lobby Congress on gun control.

'President Hillary Clinton?' In mock election, she wallops the competition. (+video)

Political professionals and grassroots supporters are organizing and raising money in case Hillary Clinton runs for the presidency in 2016. So far, she's leading potential opponents of both parties.

USA Update David Stockman warns of economic collapse, critics cry 'cranky old man'

David Stockman, the conservative economic guru who was an adviser to Ronald Reagan, has taken an severely negative view in his new book 'The Great Deformation.'

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.

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.