Susan Crabtree
Articles by Susan Crabtree
Obama nominates Kerry for secretary of state
President Obama on Friday nominated Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts to be secretary of state, succeeding Hillary Rodham Clinton and filling the first key post of the president's second-term national security team. Published December 21, 2012
House ethics panel dismisses cases against two Dems
The House Ethics Committee dismissed cases against Democratic Reps. Tim Ryan of Ohio and Gregory Meeks of New York without any disciplinary action. Published December 20, 2012
Obama praises Clinton at State Department holiday reception
President Obama visited the State Department to share some holiday cheer and thank the diplomatic corps for their service to the country Wednesday night — the same day four State Department officials resigned their posts in the wake of a critical report over the diplomatic agency's handling of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi. Published December 20, 2012
Biden to head task force on gun violence causes
President Obama has tasked Vice President Joseph R. Biden with several difficult jobs during their first term, famously dubbing him "Sheriff Joe" in 2009 and charging him with watching over the distribution of $831 billion in economic stimulus money. Published December 19, 2012
Gun task force draws cool GOP reception
As families of victims of Friday's Connecticut elementary school shooting grieved during another day of funerals, President Obama promised action on new gun-control proposals and tapped Vice President Joseph R. Biden to head up the White House's efforts. Published December 19, 2012
Obama, Boehner grapple near ‘fiscal cliff’
Racing to find common ground in the "fiscal cliff" negotiations, President Obama and House Speaker John A. Boehner are backing off what were once ironclad positions on taxes and spending — though not enough to reach an agreement just yet, as both men continue to demand additional concessions before signing off on a year-end deal. Published December 18, 2012
Obama has little to show for anti-gun pledges
At several critical moments over his first term, President Obama pledged to use the power of his office to curb shooting rampages in this country, as well as gun-related cross-border violence, but exerted little to no muscle to follow through on his promises. Published December 18, 2012
White House makes concessions in latest ‘fiscal cliff’ offer
President Obama has agreed to lower his demand for higher taxes on wealthy Americans to those making $400,000 and above as part of negotiations with House Speaker John A. Boehner to avoid the "fiscal cliff," sources familiar with the discussions told The Washington Times on Monday night. Published December 17, 2012
White House: Gun control only part of complex solution to firearms violence
Published December 17, 2012
White House condemns North Korean rocket launch
The White House on Wednesday condemned North Korea's successful launch of a long-range rocket, deeming it a "highly provocative act" that threatens security in Asia and directly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions. Published December 12, 2012
Reversing course, Obama inauguration will take corporate money
After winning the 2008 election, then President-elect Obama promised the "most open and accessible Inauguration in history" by banning corporate contributions and placing a $50,000 limit on donations from individuals. Fast-forward four years and things are a lot different. Published December 7, 2012
White House won’t sidestep Hill on debt ceiling
Even with year-end budget talks at a standstill, the White House said Thursday it will not do an end-run around Congress and claim constitutional powers to raise the debt ceiling on its own. Published December 6, 2012
Obama to GOP: Don’t replay debt ceiling standoff
President Obama warned Republicans not use the debt ceiling to gain leverage for more entitlement cuts in budget negotiations, saying it would remind voters of last year's failed deficit-reduction talks and devastate the economy. Published December 5, 2012
Obama changes tune on tax rate
While he now demands that higher tax rates for the wealthy must be part of a "fiscal cliff" deal, President Obama took a very different line just over a year ago in the last major clash with Congress over a long-term budget deal. Published December 5, 2012
Obama: GOP budget offer doesn’t go far enough
President Obama flatly rejected Republicans' offer on avoiding the fiscal cliff Tuesday, saying that it doesn't go far enough in raising taxes to reduce the budget deficit significantly over the next decade. Published December 4, 2012
Obama warns Syria’s Assad not to use chemical weapons
President Obama had strong words for Syrian President Bashar Assad on Monday as concerns grow that his Syrian regime is readying chemical weapons to use on its own citizens. Published December 3, 2012
White House calls on GOP to make a counteroffer in debt talks
Firmly sticking to its goal of raising taxes on high-earners, the White House on Monday used some of its strongest language to date in the ongoing "fiscal cliff" debate with Republicans, who contend President Obama is not negotiating in good faith. Published December 3, 2012
Obama ribs Letterman, Hoffman before Kennedy Center Honors
Even by White House standards, President Obama's guests in the East Room on Sunday night were as talented and diverse as they come. Published December 2, 2012
Obama’s ‘fiscal cliff’ gambit called more of same
President Obama's opening bid in negotiations to rein in the national debt and avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" last week largely mirrored his previous budget proposals, angering Republicans who said the White House is not offering any new ideas or even the smallest concessions. Published December 2, 2012
Obama plans campaign-style trip to push higher taxes
President Obama is hitting the hustings in a campaign-style push for tax increases, and his first stop is Pennsylvania — a battleground state with the kinds of Republicans who he thinks could be amenable to being swayed by grass-roots pressure. Published November 29, 2012