Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
White House won’t reveal Obama’s robocalls
President Obama has recorded numerous election-season robocalls for Democrats, but the White House refuses to say how many calls the president has recorded or which candidates are benefiting. Published November 4, 2014
Obama to Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls: It’s your fault if you lose
Long before the polls closed Tuesday, Democrats already were pointing fingers at each other for election losses. Published November 4, 2014
Progressives make final push for Minnesota’s Sen. Al Franken
Powerful liberal groups on Monday launched a final offensive on behalf of Sen. Al Franken, the first-term Minnesota Democrat facing a challenge from Republican Mike McFadden. Published November 3, 2014
EPA, Justice Department hit Kia, Hyundai with $100M fine
Automakers Kia and Hyundai will pay a combined $100 million fine for selling vehicles that emit more greenhouse gases than the companies claimed, the Obama administration announced Monday. Published November 3, 2014
Hillary Clinton’s populist credibility questioned after Elizabeth Warren mimic
Progressives have adopted a "wait and see" attitude toward Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign after the former secretary of state's latest attempt to transform herself into a populist champion ended with a thud. Published November 2, 2014
Obamas hand out candy, cookies at White House for Halloween
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama — known for her healthy eating initiative in American schools — will hand out Hershey kisses, cookies, candy and other sweets to thousands of children Friday at the White House. Published October 31, 2014
Obama makes last-minute election pitch to women
With just four days until voters head to the polls and with his party facing the prospect of significant losses, President Obama on Friday made a last-minute pitch to women by again pushing new equal-pay laws and a hike in the minimum wage. Published October 31, 2014
Obama equates Republicans with his own family members ‘who have bad ideas’
President Obama said Thursday that he has no personal issues with Republicans — in fact, he said they're a lot like his own family members who simply "have bad ideas" and aren't fit to be "in charge." Published October 30, 2014
Obama’s party fundraisers shutting out media
President Obama has been largely invisible on the campaign trail this fall, but his disappearing act also has extended to party fundraisers, frequently held in secret and away from the view of the press. Published October 30, 2014
Obama held secret meeting on response to Hurricane Sandy
On Monday, President Obama held an off-the-books meeting with top administration officials to walk through the federal government's response to Hurricane Sandy, which devastated parts of the East Coast in 2012. Published October 30, 2014
White House touts economic growth, says minimum-wage hike would spur recovery
The White House on Thursday touted a 3.5 percent rise in GDP in the third quarter of 2014 but argued that the implementation of Democratic priorities — such as a hike in the nation's minimum wage and the passage of equal pay laws — would accelerate growth. Published October 30, 2014
Obama, Republican governors in Ebola battle
When it comes to Ebola, President Obama has found himself in a leadership battle with governors who may want to replace him — chief executives in New Jersey, Louisiana and elsewhere who are trying to outdo the president and each other as they seek to calm their constituents and bolster their reputations ahead of the 2016 elections. Published October 29, 2014
Cyberattack on White House not reported to lawmakers; Russian link unconfirmed
Obama administration officials Wednesday would not confirm reports that Russian hackers were behind recent breaches of the White House computer system, and the situation has riled Republicans on Capitol Hill who say they weren't told of the cyberattack. Published October 29, 2014
Obama to call early childhood education summit
On Dec. 10, President Obama will convene a national early childhood education summit at the White House. Published October 29, 2014
Obama jokes about Chicago vote fraud
President Obama on Tuesday took a shot at his home city of Chicago and its infamous history of voter fraud. Published October 28, 2014
Immigration heckler booted from Obama speech
President Obama on Tuesday night stumped for Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke, but not before he was sidetracked by a protester urging the administration to take greater action on immigration. Published October 28, 2014
Obama gives Democrats specific reasons to get out and vote against GOP
He is still bashing Republicans at every turn, but President Obama's rhetoric this midterm campaign cycle has evolved from broad warnings about the dangers posed by the GOP to an issue-specific pitch designed to get Democratic voters off the couch and to the polls. Published October 28, 2014
Governors central to implementing Obama’s agenda, White House says
While he's been virtually invisible on the congressional campaign trail, President Obama has zeroed in on gubernatorial races across the country because governors are crucial to implementing the administration's agenda, White House officials said Tuesday. Published October 28, 2014
Obama to speak on efforts to stop Ebola outbreak in Africa
Before traveling to Wisconsin for a campaign event, President Obama on Tuesday will speak about U.S. efforts to stop the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, White House officials said. Published October 28, 2014
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in demand; Obama shunned on campaign trail
On the campaign trail, President Obama's status as the Democratic Party's No. 1 rock star has been supplanted by a power couple kicking off their political comeback tour. Published October 26, 2014
