Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
White House blasts Boehner lawsuit against Obama
The White House fired back Wednesday at House Speaker John A. Boehner after the Ohio Republican announced he'll sue President Obama for overstepping his constitutional authority and abusing executive power. Published June 25, 2014
Obama will play up his climate change agenda, woo environmental voter base
With congressional elections looming, President Obama increasingly is catering to a staunch part of his political base: environmental groups, hard-core opponents of the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline and others who share the administration's lofty goals surrounding climate change. Published June 24, 2014
Obama blames Republicans for poor border security
After previously saying America's borders are more secure than ever, the White House on Tuesday seemingly blamed Republicans for apparent holes along the southern boundary. Published June 24, 2014
White House defends meeting with billionaire environmentalist and party donor Tom Steyer
The Obama administration said Tuesday that bringing Tom Steyer to the White House has nothing to do with the fact that the San Francisco billionaire and environmental activist has hosted fundraisers for President Obama and has promised to spend $100 million to support Democratic candidates this fall. Published June 24, 2014
Syria precedent may complicate broad moves on Iraq
President Obama is on firm legal footing in dispatching troops to Iraq to guard the U.S. embassy and to serve as "advisers" to the Iraqi government, but some legal analysts said the administration's own past contradictions on policy could put any broader moves, such as airstrikes via traditional craft or drones, in a gray area. Published June 23, 2014
By phone, Obama urges Putin to promote peace in eastern Ukraine
President Obama spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday and urged him to "support peace" in Ukraine or face additional economic sanctions, the White House said. Published June 23, 2014
White House says Iraq provided ‘acceptable assurances’ it won’t prosecute U.S. troops
The Obama administration said Monday that it has received "acceptable assurances" from the government of Iraq that U.S. troops won't face the risk of prosecution in Iraqi courts. Published June 23, 2014
Obama feels heat of combusting Iraq
With Iraq threatened by Islamist militants and lawmakers warning that the entire country is in danger, President Obama on Sunday defended his administration's handling of the crisis and again rejected the notion that the U.S. should send ground troops everywhere terrorists pop up. Published June 22, 2014
Hillary Clinton energized, but voters show signs of fatigue
As Hillary Rodham Clinton prepares for an expected presidential run, perhaps her greatest asset — unmatched name recognition built over 25 years in the public eye — could become something of a liability. Published June 22, 2014
Obama rejects ‘whack-a-mole’ strategy to counter extremists in Middle East
With Iraq threatened by Islamist militants and lawmakers warning that the entire country is in danger, President Obama on Sunday defended his administration's handling of the crisis and again rejected the notion that the U.S. should send ground troops everywhere terrorists pop up. Published June 22, 2014
Netanyahu slams ‘disgraceful’ Presbyterian Church decision
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bashed the Presbyterian Church on Sunday for the denomination's recent decision to disassociate with companies supplying equipment to Israeli armed forces. Published June 22, 2014
Cheney on Middle East: ‘We’ve got a hell of a problem’
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday that the Obama administration's foreign policy has led to crises beyond just the escalating conflict in Iraq, charging that the U.S. now has a "hell of a problem" across North Africa and the Middle East. Published June 22, 2014
Former Gov. Schweitzer ‘has a rather large mouth,’ Sen. Feinstein says
Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Sunday she laughed when she first heard former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer liken her to a prostitute, but she wasn't surprised by the outspoken Democrat's colorful language. Published June 22, 2014
New GOP House leader: The Senate is the problem in Washington
House Majority Leader-elect Kevin McCarthy came out swinging Sunday morning, taking direct aim at what he says is the main impediment to progress in Washington — the Democrat-controlled Senate. Published June 22, 2014
White House promises enforcement surge on border
The Obama administration promised an enforcement "surge" on the southwest border last week to combat the flood of children and families trying to get into the U.S. illegally, saying that adding more judges to decide cases will allow the government to kick people out of the country faster. Published June 20, 2014
Biden botches World Cup history in Colombia
He was trying to pay Colombia a compliment, but Vice President Joseph R. Biden instead reminded the South American nation Wednesday of its painful recent past in World Cup soccer. Published June 19, 2014
On Colombia visit, Biden lauds ‘a nation transformed’
Praising Colombia's efforts to improve human rights and end ongoing conflicts with armed rebels, Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday described the South American country as "a nation transformed" and vowed that the U.S. will work closely with newly re-elected Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. Published June 18, 2014
Senate panel clears bill to build Keystone XL pipeline
A Senate committee voted Wednesday to cut President Obama out of the process to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline, but another powerful Democrat still stands in the way of the project — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Published June 18, 2014
Congress aims to bypass Obama on Keystone pipeline
The movement to bypass President Obama and approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline through congressional action has more momentum than ever, with a key Senate committee set to vote later this week on a bill to greenlight the massive Canada-to-Texas project. Published June 16, 2014
Elizabeth Warren assumes helm of populist wing of Democratic Party
She has flatly stated she won't run for president in 2016, but Sen. Elizabeth Warren nonetheless is emerging as one of her party's most influential members, armed with a potent message of economic populism that has rapidly made her a hero to many on the progressive left. Published June 15, 2014