Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
White House criticizes Vladimir Putin’s posture
The White House on Thursday criticized Vladimir Putin's posture and said the Russian president has perfected the image of someone who is laid back, perhaps even bored, during meetings with international leaders. Published September 24, 2015
Obama’s view on death penalty ‘influenced’ by Pope Francis
Pope Francis may have pushed President Obama closer to coming out against the death penalty, White House officials said Thursday. Published September 24, 2015
Pope Francis lectures Obama on religious liberty
Pope Francis called for American leadership Wednesday in combating climate change, embracing immigrants and caring for the poor, using his unparalleled pulpit to sound solidarity with President Obama on a host of issues -- but the pontiff also poked the White House on religious liberty, and insisted pro-life and family causes were at the center of his visit. Published September 23, 2015
White House scrapped 21-gun salute because Pope Francis is ‘man of peace’
The Obama administration and the Vatican decided that a 21-gun salute in honor of Pope Francis' arrival at the White House Wednesday would not be appropriate because the pontiff is a "man of peace." Published September 23, 2015
Pope Francis lectures on climate change at White House: Action can’t wait
President Obama and Pope Francis on Wednesday morning spoke in unison on the need to confront climate change and save the planet, with both men saying humanity has a moral obligation to act now and not saddle future generations with a growing problem. Published September 23, 2015
Obama calls out ‘folks like John McCain’ on climate change
President Obama believes "folks like John McCain" are responsible for the 2009 death of cap-and-trade legislation, a political failure by the White House and Capitol Hill Democrats that has ultimately led to a host a new climate-change regulations from the president's Environmental Protection Agency. Published September 23, 2015
Pope Francis welcomed, lauded by Obama at White House
With a level of pomp and circumstance rare even in Washington, President Obama welcomed Pope Francis to the White House Wednesday and praised the pontiff for leading on a host of social and moral issues. Published September 23, 2015
Pope Francis brings brief political truce to Washington
Raucous cheers erupted Tuesday as Pope Francis set foot in the U.S. for the first time, kicking off a six-day, three-city American tour that promises to dominate the headlines and present politicians with the chance to bask in the "glow" of association with the popular pontiff. Published September 22, 2015
Pope Francis lands in U.S. to begin six-day, three-city visit
As onlookers erupted with cheers, Pope Francis on Tuesday afternoon set foot in the U.S. for the first time as pontiff and was greeted by President Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, other administration officials and a raucous crowd of supporters. Published September 22, 2015
Republican candidates turn climate change into debate on economy
Last week's Republican presidential debate may have provided a window into how GOP candidates will handle the thorny issue of climate change, with a number of White House hopefuls skirting a debate on the science of global warming and instead taking aim at the costs and consequences of President Obama's prescription to save the planet -- a strategy that some analysts say cedes the issue to Democrats. Published September 21, 2015
Carly Fiorina poll surge has Hillary Clinton scrambling to shed ‘insider’ label
Carly Fiorina's strong performance in last week's Republican presidential primary debate has rocketed her up the polls, leaving the top of the GOP field dominated by Washington outsiders and forcing Democrats -- especially Hillary Rodham Clinton -- scrambling to shed the label of political insider. Published September 20, 2015
Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina say government shutdown hinges on Planned Parenthood funding
Even as a prominent pro-life group has warned Republicans not to shut down the federal government over Planned Parenthood funding, GOP presidential candidates on Sunday continued to call on Congress to cut off money for the group and force President Obama's hand on financing the abortion provider. Published September 20, 2015
Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential front-runner, calls Donald Trump ‘irresponsible’
Hillary Rodham Clinton on Sunday said Donald Trump is engaging in "irresponsible" and "appalling" behavior for failing to shoot down false claims that President Obama is a Muslim and was not born in the U.S. Published September 20, 2015
Ben Carson, GOP presidential candidate: We should never elect a Muslim president
Ben Carson said in no uncertain terms Sunday that a Muslim should not be president of the United States. Published September 20, 2015
Hillary Clinton, ex-secretary of state, says U.S. policy on Syria has been a ‘failure’
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said key parts of the Obama administration's policy on Syria have been a "failure." Published September 20, 2015
Chris Christie, GOP presidential candidate: GOP must force Obama’s hand on Planned Parenthood
Chris Christie said Sunday that GOP leaders on Capitol Hill must force President Obama's hand on Planned Parenthood funding. Published September 20, 2015
Donald Trump, GOP presidential front-runner, says most Muslims “are fabulous”
Donald Trump on Sunday shot back against allegations that he is anti-Muslim, saying most men and women of the Islamic faith are "fabulous." Published September 20, 2015
Carly Fiorina, GOP presidentidal candidate, eyes government shutdown over Planned Parenthood
Carly Fiorina said the Republican Party must stick to its guns and ensure that Planned Parenthood is cut off from all federal funding. Published September 20, 2015
EPA: Volkswagen used ‘sophisticated software’ to cheat emissions tests
The Obama administration on Friday accused Volkswagen of using a "sophisticated software algorithm" to cheat on emissions testing and mask the fact that some models emit too much harmful pollution. Published September 18, 2015
Joe Biden 2016 policies likely to be same as Obama’s
After keeping a low profile following the death of his son earlier this year, Vice President Joseph R. Biden has re-emerged to become the biggest defender of President Obama's agenda, selling everything from the administration's climate change policies to its Detroit bailout and, in the process, making clear he won't distance himself from the current president in a potential 2016 White House bid. Published September 17, 2015