Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
States, not feds, are now key to making Obamacare work, insurers say
President Obama's about-face last week may have blunted the immediate political blowback from his broken promise that Americans who like their insurance plans can keep them — a vow that turned out not to be true for millions across the country. Published November 17, 2013
Obama admits he ‘fumbled,’ says Americans can keep their health care
Conceding that he has "fumbled" the rollout to his signature health care reform law, President Obama on Thursday said he will use executive authority to craft a series of loopholes to allow some Americans to keep their insurance policies for at least another year. Published November 14, 2013
Obama: I’m not stupid enough to mislead on Obamacare website
In the days leading up to the Oct. 1 launch of HealthCare.Gov, President Obama says he didn't know just how faulty the site would be. Published November 14, 2013
Obama concedes, announces changes to health care law
President Obama said Thursday he will let Americans renew for one year any health plans that do not meet Obamacare's coverage standards — a stark attempt to quell the political firestorm around his broken promise that those who like their insurance coverage can keep it under his signature law. Published November 14, 2013
U.S. oil production tops imports for first time in nearly 2 decades
Claiming a key victory in the fight to escape reliance on foreign fuel, the Obama administration announced Wednesday that domestic oil production surpassed imports for the first time in nearly two decades. Published November 13, 2013
Obama chooses new CFTC chair, takes shots at Republicans
President Obama on Tuesday not only put forward his pick to head a powerful financial regulatory panel, he also declared in no uncertain terms that the "army of lobbyists" who he says have teamed with Republicans to undermine Wall Street reform must not succeed. Published November 12, 2013
Obama’s latest pivot: Take back control of Congress, reclaim blocked agenda
After offering an apology for the failed rollout of his signature health care reform law, President Obama in recent days has "pivoted" yet again — this time into full-blown campaign mode. Published November 11, 2013
Obama threatens GOP with executive orders on ‘drawer full’ of ideas
President Obama on Friday night continued throwing his entire second-term agenda against the wall to see what sticks, challenging Republicans to join him and support more federal spending, pass immigration reform and tackle other challenges. Published November 9, 2013
Obama in New Orleans: Short speech, large agenda
Several times during his presidency, President Obama has tried to "pivot" back to the economy and away from the topical stories-of-the-day — from the IRS to Benghazi to spying — that often have sidetracked this White House in his second term. Published November 8, 2013
EPA’s ‘listening sessions’ on new rules held in cities, skirt coal towns
San Francisco and Seattle are synonymous with the environmental movement, not coal mining — but that hasn't stopped the Obama administration from holding "listening sessions" in those and other major metropolitan areas to hear questions, concerns and complaints about its new global-warming regulations. Published November 7, 2013
Obama: ‘I am sorry they are finding themselves in this situation’
After sidestepping the issue for weeks, President Obama on Thursday apologized to Americans who are losing their health insurance despite his repeated and emphatic promises that it wouldn't happen. Published November 7, 2013
President touts Obamacare as ‘universal health care’
For decades, liberals have dreamed of a "universal health care" system in America. On Wednesday night in Dallas, President Obama used that rare phrase and told a group volunteers that, under his leadership, it has become a reality. Published November 6, 2013
Obama calls Christie, congratulates governor on re-election
President Obama on Wednesday afternoon called newly re-elected New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to congratulate him on his landslide victory. Published November 6, 2013
White House: Shutdown a bigger deal than Obamacare
Some Republicans have sought to cast Tuesday's elections as a referendum on the disastrous rollout of Obamacare, but the White House argues that voters actually care much more about the recent government shutdown. Published November 5, 2013
Obama aims to make it ‘easy’ for GOP to back immigration reform
President Obama on Tuesday summoned leading CEOs to the White House to showcase support for a broad immigration reform package, telling Republicans that the business community's position should make it "easy" to get the measure through the House. Published November 5, 2013
Obama adds an ‘if’ to his ‘you can keep your plan’ promise
In his latest defense of his troubled health care reform law, President Obama on Monday night massaged past statements and told supporters that the administration had indeed promised Americans they could keep their insurance plans — as long as they hadn't been changed. Published November 4, 2013
Obama shifts focus from health care website woes toward budget
Obamacare's troubled rollout still is dominating the headlines, but President Obama on Saturday tried to change the conversation and turn attention toward his priorities in budget negotiations with congressional Republicans. Published November 2, 2013
The Gettysburg Offense: Obama to snub historic battlefield on 150th anniversary
It may be little more than a blip on Washington's radar screen, but President Obama's decision to be a no-show at an upcoming ceremony to mark the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address has touched off a firestorm in Pennsylvania. Published October 31, 2013
Redskins name opponents ‘disappointed’ after meeting with NFL reps
The NFL said of the sit-down with Oneida Nation representatives in New York, "The meeting was part of an ongoing dialogue to facilitate listening and learning, consistent with the commissioner's comments earlier this year." Published October 30, 2013
Obama to Americans who lost ‘cut-rate’ insurance: Go shopping
Making a fierce defense of his namesake health care reform law, President Obama on Wednesday told Americans who are losing coverage that it's time to bid their "cut-rate" plans goodbye and go shopping for better insurance. Published October 30, 2013
