Susan Crabtree
Articles by Susan Crabtree
Obama frets over super PAC spending
President Obama predicted an onslaught of negative campaigning by "super PACs" during the general election, although he did not disavow his own fundraising machine or the outside groups backing him for president. Published February 6, 2012
Obama orders new sanctions against Iran
President Obama signed an executive order Monday morning freezing all U.S.-held assets of the Iranian government, including its Central Bank, even as he continued to try to ease fears that Israel is preparing to carry out a unilateral strike on the Islamic Republic. Published February 6, 2012
GOP freshman slams Obama’s costly anti-obesity ad campaign
A freshman Republican congressman from Tennessee is fighting back against anti-obesity ad campaigns initiated by the Obama administration and congressional Democrats that target sugary soft drinks and other high-calorie foods. Published February 3, 2012
Oklahoma’s Coburn questions more funding for 9/11 museum
Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican from Oklahoma who isn't afraid of questioning federal spending for popular projects, is challenging $20 million a year in new funding for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City. Published February 2, 2012
GOP super PACs outpace Democrats
In the battle of unlimited-money political groups that will play a major role in the 2012 general election, Republican groups have stockpiled far more cash than their Democratic rivals, and a tiny group of people is set to have a dramatic influence on the electoral process. Published February 1, 2012
Obama serves up package to aid small businesses
Seeking to slice through partisan divisions on Capitol Hill, President Obama Tuesday urged Congress to swiftly take up a bipartisan bill aimed at cutting taxes for small businesses and encouraging new start-ups in an effort to spur new jobs. Published January 31, 2012
Crackdown on ‘insider’ profits may be lone plus for campaign-mode Obama
Senate Democrats plan to vote Monday on a bill to prevent members of Congress from profiting from inside knowledge gained from their officials duties — a swift response to President Obama's State of the Union directive. Published January 29, 2012
Obama rails against GOP obstructionism
President Obama railed against Washington gridlock and Republican obstructionism in his weekly radio address, once again pointing to the military as providing the best example for public service. Published January 28, 2012
Republicans accuse Obama of sham drilling announcement
House Republicans are accusing President Obama of making a sham announcement to open nearly 38 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling, arguing that the same lease sale was already in the works before he took office. Published January 26, 2012
Obama says all GOP candidates wrong on immigration
President Obama won't say who would be a more challenging Republican contender, but he does says all of the remaining GOP candidates are wrong on immigration. Published January 26, 2012
Obama touts economic plan in Iowa
President Obama focused on positive signs in America's manufacturing sector as he took his State of the Union sales pitch for tax-code changes on the road in a campaign-style swing through five battleground election states. Published January 25, 2012
Obama calls for taxes, investments
Delivering a broad defense of tax increases on the wealthy to help pay America's bills and finance new investments, President Obama used his final pre-election State of the Union address Tuesday to urge Congress to act, warning that he was prepared to leave them behind if they fail. Published January 24, 2012
Obama’s Union speech to sound populist themes
President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night will build on the populist economic messages he's been hammering home in speeches across the country in the past few months in an effort to lay the foundation for his re-election campaign. Published January 23, 2012
Obama’s State of the Union will reflect state of the election
Anyone wondering whether President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday will focus more on policy or the politics of his re-election should consider the trip he has planned immediately afterward: visits to five battleground states in three days. Published January 22, 2012
Romney to Gingrich: Release ethics records
Going on offense after Newt Gingrich demanded he release his tax returns, Mitt Romney called on the former House speaker to publicly disclose all the records he submitted to the ethics committee back in the late 1990s, part of an effort to turn the tables on Mr. Gingrich on the eve of the South Carolina primary. Published January 20, 2012
Gingrich ambushed by House bank attack
In a debate in which former Speaker Newt Gingrich angrily batted back a fusillade of attacks, he didn't anticipate one from rival Rick Santorum that wound up hitting him square between the eyes. Published January 20, 2012
Nelson will be absent for Obama’s visit to Florida
When President Obama arrives in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday for a quick one-day visit, two-term Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson won't be among those there to greet him. Published January 18, 2012
Obama names Zients as interim OMB chief
In a bit of reshuffling between the White House and its Office of Management and Budget, President Obama on Tuesday tapped Jeffrey Zients as the OMB's acting director. Published January 17, 2012
Obama seeks power to streamline government
President Obama's request for greater power to shrink the size of the federal government is getting mixed reviews in Congress, with even some prominent Democrats opposed to parts of the plan and others warning against handing the executive branch too much power. Published January 13, 2012
Watchdogs to Obama: Fix the FEC
As a multimillion dollar barrage of negative attack ads hits South Carolina Republican primary voters — bloodying GOP candidates in the process — a coalition of watchdog groups has launched a petition to try to re-energize the agency charged with policing campaigns. Published January 12, 2012