Topic: Rand Paul

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Opinion 3 questions to ask about US drone policy

White House spokesman Jay Carney has defended the Obama administration's controversial drone policy, asserting: “These strikes are legal, they are ethical, and they are wise.” But rather than closing the debate, that statement frames the three essential questions Americans should be asking about US drone policy.

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Pentagon girds for Senate fight over sexual assault bill

A bill to strip commanders of their authority in sexual assault cases has bipartisan support in the Senate. But Pentagon officials say it would make a bad situation worse.
Decoder Wire Why many 2016 GOP hopefuls are mum on Supreme Court gay marriage moves

Some possible Republican presidential candidates – Rick Santorum and Marco Rubio – chided the Supreme Court for its actions Wednesday on gay marriage cases. But many others remained quiet. Why is that?
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage

One by one, leading Republicans offered statements after the Supreme Court's DOMA ruling that showed they were ready, by and large, to leave the gay marriage fight to the states.
Sarah Palin returns to Fox: What did she say?

Sarah Palin goes lite on whistleblower Edward Snowden – 'nothing will ever be the same for this man' – and calls for 'more revelations' about what a 'big, overgrown government' is doing.
Want proof that NSA snooping thwarts terror plots? Stand by, senator says.

Efforts are afoot to declassify some examples of terrorist plots thwarted by controversial NSA surveillance programs, perhaps by next week, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Thursday after senators met with US intelligence officials.
Edward Snowden leaks: why Obama has a political cushion (+video)

Edward Snowden and his decision to speak out as the leaker of classified national security documents have deflected attention from President Obama. The political odd couples defending and opposing the programs also insulate the president.
Decoder Wire Hillary Clinton approval plummets. Benghazi? (+video)

Approval rating for Hillary Clinton, a prospective 2016 presidential candidate, has plunged since February. Some voters – especially men, independents – may blame her at least in part for the death in Benghazi, Libya, of the US ambassador, one pollster says.
Obama to detail terrorism policy including drone attacks and Guantánamo Bay prison

In a national security speech, President Obama will explain his policies dealing with terrorism, the use of drone aircraft, Al Qaeda, and the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
Officials seize AP's phone logs: What are they looking for?

The Associated Press is now in the news as well as covering it: Justice Department officials secretly obtained two months of telephone records from AP reporters and editors.
Rand Paul for president? Why else is he in Iowa? (+video)

US Sen. Rand Paul is making a splash in Iowa this weekend, and he'll soon visit New Hampshire and South Carolina. Can the libertarian-tinged maverick Republican successfully run for president?
Ex-Gov. Mark Sanford back in public office: Defeats Colbert Busch

Mark Sanford revived a scandal-scarred political career by winning back his old congressional seat Tuesday, in a district that hasn't elected a Democrat in three decades.
Immigration reform promises border security. Prove it, Republicans say. (+video)

The Senate immigration reform bill aims to apprehend 90 percent of potential border-crossers in high-risk areas within five years after passage, but Republicans question the plan.
Decoder Wire Ted Cruz presidential race 2016: Whose worst nightmare?

Some conservative leaders reportedly are urging Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas to run for president in 2016. That could be a nightmare for either Democrats, other Republicans, or even Cruz himself.
The Vote Chris Christie praises Obama (again): Is he digging himself in deeper? (+video)

Six months after his famous – some say costly – hug of the president on the Jersey Shore, Gov. Chris Christie says Obama 'kept every promise that he made' on hurricane Sandy disaster relief.
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.
How did Denver’s 4/20 marijuana day turn violent?

Three people were injured by gunshots fired at the 4/20 marijuana celebration in Denver Saturday. While there is growing acceptance of marijuana use, the issue remains politically controversial with federal law at odds with the decriminalization trend among some jurisdictions.
'Shame on you!' Gun vote shamed by Obama, Giffords, Maisch

'Shame' was the word of the day after the U.S. Senate failed to pass gun control legislation yesterday. A spectator in the gallery yelled out 'Shame on you!' while President Obama referred to the vote as 'pretty shameful' and Rep. Gabby Giffords wrote 'Shame on them' in an op-ed about the senators.
Obama goes from scolder in Washington to comforter in Boston

In Washington, President Obama is locked in a battle with many voices in Congress over gun control, but at a moment of national tragedy, such as the Boston Marathon bombings, the president stands alone.
Why Rand Paul could be key player on immigration

Sen. Rand Paul hopes to attract conservatives to immigration reform by requiring annual certification of border security for five years before any undocumented immigrants could be granted legal status.
Monitor Breakfast Rand Paul: Obama politicizes tragedy, uses Newtown families as 'props'

Sen. Rand Paul says gun control is a legitimate issue for political debate. But he says President Obama has used the parents of children killed in Newtown, Conn., as ‘props.’

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Monitor Breakfast Sen. Rand Paul wants the big microphone of a 2016 presidential run

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a favorite of the Republican Party’s libertarian and tea party wings, is considering a run for president in 2016 to be part of the debate on national issues.

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Bipartisan deal on background checks: Biggest gun control win yet?

Two senators announced a bipartisan deal on a gun control bill that would expand background checks. Its passage is hardly assured, but just the compromise is significant.
Will Senate vote on gun control? Untangling the politics of filibusters (+video)

The Senate will hold a vote on gun control legislation Thursday – but it's only to break a filibuster and allow debate to proceed. Will the bill actually become law? That's a different question.
'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.
The New Economy Jobs outlook: Can young people overcome the gloom?

With a 16.2 percent unemployment rate, young Americans are bearing the brunt of the slow recovery. But there are steps they can take to improve their chances of getting hired.