Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
After White House blows CIA agent’s cover, Obama says U.S. must protect sources abroad
Three days after the White House inadvertently blew the cover of the CIA's top officer in Kabul, President Obama on Wednesday said his administration is committed to effective intelligence-gathering and protecting "sources and methods" abroad. Published May 28, 2014
Obama defends Afghan pullback, outreach to Syria
President Obama on Wednesday defended his actions on national security and offered something of a reboot of his foreign policy in an attempt to define America's role as the war in Afghanistan comes to a close. Published May 28, 2014
Cafeteria politics: Michelle Obama starts food fight with lawmakers on school lunches
First lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday chided congressional Republicans for attempting to roll back her school lunch standards, calling the effort "unacceptable" and accusing lawmakers of playing politics with the health of young students. Published May 27, 2014
One-percenter: Wealth of Hillary Clinton complicates her image as populist champion
When your own minimum wage reportedly is in the neighborhood of $200,000 a speech, it might be difficult to sell yourself as the populist champion of the working class. Published May 25, 2014
Cabinet shuffle: Donovan to OMB, Castro to HUD
President Obama on Friday called on the Senate to quickly confirm his new picks to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Office of Management and Budget. Published May 23, 2014
Obama signs resolution honoring Doolittle Raiders
President Obama on Friday honored the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, 80 airmen who made history in April 1942 by striking back against Imperial Japan only a few months after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Published May 23, 2014
Putin blasts Obama: ‘Who is he to judge?’
If President Obama wants to make accusations against Russia, he should go get a job as a courtroom lawyer, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday. Published May 23, 2014
Obama picks San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro as HUD secretary
President Obama on Friday will nominate San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to be his new secretary of housing and urban development. Published May 23, 2014
Obama pitches tourism at Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
With the growing veterans health care crisis swirling around him, President Obama on Thursday left Washington for Cooperstown, New York, where he toured the Baseball Hall of Fame and made a pitch for international tourists to come to the United States. Published May 22, 2014
Obama: Michelle got rid of my ‘mom jeans’
The president said Thursday that his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, "retired" the widely maligned jeans he wore when throwing out the first pitch of the 2009 MLB All Star Game. Published May 22, 2014
Obama: Improve airport experience, create ‘positive first impression’ for foreign visitors
President Obama on Thursday directed members of his Cabinet to review airport procedures and give foreigners a smoother entry into the country. Published May 22, 2014
Obama sends 80 military personnel to help find Nigerian schoolgirls
President Obama on Wednesday told Congress he's deployed about 80 U.S. military personnel to Africa to help locate hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram. Published May 21, 2014
Obama on VA allegations: ‘It is disgraceful, and I will not tolerate it’
As he struggles to contain the political damage from the widening VA scandal, President Obama met with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki on Wednesday and emerged to say he's pushing for quick, decisive action — but critics say it's another example of his employing strong rhetoric without actually firing anyone. Published May 21, 2014
Biden: More sanctions for Russia if it interferes in Ukrainian elections
Vice President Joseph R. Biden said Wednesday the U.S. and its allies must impose additional sanctions on Russia if it interferes with Ukrainian elections scheduled for Sunday. Published May 21, 2014
President Obama to meet Eric Shinseki over secretary’s handling of VA
President Obama will speak Wednesday morning immediately after meeting with embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, as outrage and criticism mounts from both parties over the White House response to the expanding scandal of mismanagement at VA hospitals. Published May 21, 2014
White House sends mixed signals on when Obama learned of VA problems
With criticism and anger mounting on both sides of the aisle, the White House on Tuesday struggled to explain exactly when President Obama learned of lengthy wait times and false reporting at Veterans Affairs health care facilities but defended its larger effort to improve care for the nation's veterans. Published May 20, 2014
At party fundraiser, Obama shrugs off Benghazi, health-care woes
President Obama told Democratic donors Monday night that Congress is wasting time investigating the Benghazi affair and focusing on the troubles with his health-care reform law instead of tackling important issues such as immigration reform and a minimum-wage hike. Published May 19, 2014
U.S. to pledge $300 million in aid for South Sudan
The U.S. will give nearly $300 million in humanitarian aid to South Sudan, White House officials said Monday. Published May 19, 2014
Obama drops by D.C. Little League games
On his way to a Democratic party fundraiser on Monday night, President Obama stopped at Washington's Friendship Park and tossed a baseball with Little Leaguers warming up for their evening games. Published May 19, 2014
White House responds to Washington Times report, defends efforts to improve VA wait times
The White House on Monday defended its handling of the Veterans Affairs' department and the steps it has taken to improve health care for the nation's veterans. Published May 19, 2014