Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
President Obama sees Pope Francis as political ally
President Obama increasingly is finding a key policy ally in the Vatican, with Pope Francis standing virtually shoulder to shoulder with the White House on income inequality and a historic diplomatic reboot with communist Cuba. Published December 30, 2014
Obama: ‘Healthy’ for U.S. to talk about race relations
President Obama believes the ongoing national dialogue about race relations — particularly minority communities' interactions with law enforcement — is "healthy" for the U.S. and could lead to long-term solutions. Published December 29, 2014
Obama tells troops: ‘The world is better, safer, more peaceful’
Despite conflicts across the globe, President Obama told American troops on Christmas that the world has become safer in recent years. Published December 26, 2014
FAA fears drones left under Christmas tree could prove hazardous in the skies
By Christmas afternoon, thousands more drones will be in American skies — but the federal government fears operators of the increasingly small, cheap craft simply don't know what they're doing and could cause aerial catastrophes. Published December 24, 2014
Obama mum on New York police officer murders as de Blasio, Sharpton seize spotlight
President Obama has opened himself up to criticism in the wake of the slaying of two New York police officers by allowing other prominent outspoken figures — such as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton — to seize the spotlight. Published December 22, 2014
Marco Rubio: It’s important ‘The Interview’ be seen
Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday said "as many Americans as possible" should see "The Interview" as part of the broader U.S. response to a terrorist cyberattack by North Korea. Published December 21, 2014
Mike Rogers rips Obama on North Korea attack; ‘Saying aloha … going to Hawaii is not the answer’
A leading Republican in Congress on Sunday blasted President Obama for going on a two-week vacation on the heels of North Korea's cyberattack against the U.S. Published December 21, 2014
Obama: Putin hasn’t ‘rolled me,’ economic sanctions on Russia have worked
President Obama doesn't believe that he's been "rolled" by Vladimir Putin, rejecting the idea that the Russian president has outmaneuvered the U.S. in a geopolitical chess match. Published December 21, 2014
Shades of 2016: Rubio attacks ‘Obama-Paul’ foreign policy on Cuba
Cuba has proved to be a major division point between potential Republican presidential candidates Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Rand Paul, and the feud between the two continued to escalate Sunday. Published December 21, 2014
Critics say ‘anti-cop rhetoric’ of Eric Holder, Bill de Blasio may have led to N.Y. police deaths
The shocking, cold-blooded murder of two New York City police officers Saturday has raised fresh questions about whether prominent Democrats — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in particular — have gone too far in their criticism of law enforcement and, at least in part, caused this weekend's brutal slayings. Published December 21, 2014
Obama: North Korea’s attack ‘cybervandalism,’ not an ‘act of war’
President Obama on Sunday called the unprecedented North Korean cyberattack on Sony Pictures an act of "cybervandalism," not war, sparking outrage among lawmakers who believe the U.S. response has been too weak and may invite further aggression. Published December 21, 2014
Obama calls James Franco ‘James Flacco,’ prompting response from Ravens Joe Flacco
Actor "James Flacco" has a big fan in the White House. Published December 19, 2014
Obama on Cuba: ‘I know deep in my bones’ I was right
President Obama promised Friday that change will come to Cuba because of his decision to normalize diplomatic relations with the communist island. Published December 19, 2014
Obama aligns with Hillary Clinton on Cuba, fires back at Marco Rubio
Defending its historic policy reversal on Cuba, the White House on Thursday aligned itself with one potential 2016 presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton, while launching an all-out assault on another — Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Published December 18, 2014
Obama creates task force on policing, orders recommendations by March 2
President Obama on Thursday signed an executive order officially creating a "Task Force on 21st Century Policing," a high-level group that will report directly to the president with recommendations on how to strengthen ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Published December 18, 2014
White House fires back at Rubio over Cuba criticism
The White House on Thursday took a direct shot at Sen. Marco Rubio, the Cuban-American and Florida Republican who has emerged as the most vocal critic of the administration's move this week to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba. Published December 18, 2014
White House may welcome Cuba’s Raul Castro to Washington
On the heels of a historic deal to mend relations with Cuba, White House officials on Thursday would not rule out the possibility of Cuban President Raul Castro visiting Washington. Published December 18, 2014
Obama Cuba policy reversal excites U.S. businesses, ignites firestorm on Hill
Casting aside a half-century of foreign policy, President Obama on Wednesday said the U.S. will normalize ties with Cuba, open an embassy in Havana and reduce trade and travel barriers — a seismic shift in America's relationship with the communist island that drew praise from businesses eager to tap into the Cuban market but touched off a bipartisan firestorm on Capitol Hill. Published December 17, 2014
Marco Rubio slams Cuba agreement, says Obama is ‘willfully ignorant’
Calling President Obama "willfully ignorant" and "the worst negotiator" the U.S. has had in decades, Sen. Marco Rubio on Wednesday slammed the administration's agreement with Cuba to open normal diplomatic relations for the first time in more than 50 years, saying the deal will only allow Cuban President Raul Castro to shore up his power base and continue oppressing his own people. Published December 17, 2014
Obama meets with Temptations, Four Tops
After hitting the sports talk radio circuit earlier in the day, President Obama on Friday afternoon met with legendary musical groups the Four Tops and the Temptations in the Oval Office. Published December 12, 2014
