Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Hillary Clinton alienates liberals with harsh critique of Obama foreign policy
Hillary Rodham Clinton hugged out her differences with President Obama on Wednesday night, but she may need to save some of that affection for disenchanted liberals who fear the Democratic party's 2016 front-runner is acting more like a thinly veiled neoconservative. Published August 14, 2014
Fellow Democrats keep their distance from Obama - lonely fundraiser in chief
President Obama has run into the embarrassing situation that also bedeviled his predecessor: vulnerable members of his own party are keeping their distance. Published August 13, 2014
Obama’s doctrine: Inaction on Syria led to Iraq crisis
President Obama is deepening U.S. engagement in Iraq under the shadow of Syria, where he resisted similar calls to intervene — inaction that analysts and even his former top diplomat say may have sown the seeds of the Iraqi conflict. Published August 12, 2014
Obama adjusts Iraq narrative, now blames George W. Bush for troop withdrawal
The president who spent years touting the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq suddenly has had to distance himself from that action. Published August 11, 2014
Obama ‘determined’ to avoid prolonged military action in Iraq
Hours after U.S. fighter jets targeted Islamist terrorists in Iraq, the White House stressed Friday that President Obama by no means will allow the U.S. to fall back into all-out war. Published August 8, 2014
Obama authorizes airstrikes in Iraq against Islamic State
President Obama authorized airstrikes against Islamist terrorists in Iraq and approved a humanitarian mission to deliver food and other supplies to tens of thousands of Iraqis trapped on mountaintops, moves that represent the most significant re-engagement in Iraq since formal combat operations ended three years ago. Published August 7, 2014
Toddler squeezes through fence at White House
The White House is the most protected facility in the world, but that didn't stop a toddler from sneaking onto the grounds Thursday night. Published August 7, 2014
Obama White House begins airdrops to trapped Iraqis: reports
The U.S. has begun a humanitarian mission to deliver supplies to tens of thousands of Iraqis trapped on a mountaintop by Islamist terrorists, Pentagon officials said Thursday night. Published August 7, 2014
White House won’t commit to stopping looming genocide of Christians, Kurds in Iraq
With tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians and ethnic minorities facing potential slaughter by Islamist militants, the White House on Thursday wouldn't say how — or even if — it will take further action to prevent bloodshed. Published August 7, 2014
Obama on experimental Ebola drug: The jury is still out
An experimental drug appears to have saved the lives of two Americans hit by the Ebola virus, but President Obama said Wednesday it's too soon to say whether the treatment should be fast-tracked and exported to Africa. Published August 6, 2014
Obama: ‘I don’t have a green light’ on executive power
President Obama on Wednesday tried to reassure Americans that, despite his rash of executive actions and the likelihood that more controversial moves are on the way, he doesn't have a blanket "green light" to do anything he pleases. Published August 6, 2014
Michelle Obama: ‘Women are smarter than men’
First lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday proudly stated she believes women are the smarter sex and must use prominent positions in government, business and other endeavors to affect change. Published August 6, 2014
Obama: African Ebola outbreak can be overcome
Despite reports that African nations are overwhelmed by the deadly Ebola outbreak, President Obama on Wednesday expressed optimism that nations such as Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia eventually will get a handle on the worsening situation. Published August 6, 2014
Obama: ‘The blood of Africa runs through our family’
Speaking to more than 40 African leaders assembled at the White House, President Obama said Tuesday night that he and his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters share a strong, personal bond with Africa and declared that the continent is "rising and so full of promise." Published August 5, 2014
Obama may use executive action on tax code
Under growing pressure from some Senate Democrats, the White House on Tuesday left open the possibility President Obama will use executive authority to reform the nation's tax code. Published August 5, 2014
Obama announces $33B in commitments to Africa
President Obama on Tuesday announced $14 billion in new private-sector commitments to Africa and additional billions of dollars in U.S. government support, but critics fear parts of the new initiative may actually hurt, not help, life on the continent. Published August 5, 2014
White House won’t rule out executive action to change tax code, target ‘corporate deserters’
Under growing pressure from some Senate Democrats, the White House on Tuesday left open the possibility President Obama will use executive authority to reform the nation's tax code. Published August 5, 2014
Joe Biden opens Africa summit with corruption warning
Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Monday lectured dozens of visiting African leaders on the need to clean up the "cancer" of corruption in their governments, but some analysts say the U.S. can do very little to solve the problem and in some cases has contributed to corruption by funneling monetary aid to unstable governments or dictators. Published August 4, 2014
James Brady leaves impressive legacy, current White House press secretary says
Current White House press secretary Josh Earnest on Monday praised one of his predecessors, the late James Brady, for leaving a "legacy" to which all future administration spokesmen aspire. Published August 4, 2014
Obama to sign VA reform bill Thursday at Fort Belvoir
President Obama on Thursday will sign into a law a bill overhauling the troubled U.S. Veterans Affairs reform bill, the White House said Monday. Published August 4, 2014