First Kids Are Kids First

In new book, ex-prez discusses Lewinsky, Yeltsin's drunken caper

(NEWSER) - Between 1993 and 2001, historian Taylor Branch met regularly with then-President Clinton for a series of taped interviews. The transcripts form the basis of a new book, The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President, to be released next week. USA Today got a look and singles out some highlights:

• Secret Service agents had to corral a drunk Boris Yeltsin trying to hail a cab on Pennsylvania Avenue—wearing only his underwear. The Russian leader, who was bunking at Blair House, told them he wanted a pizza.

Joins McCain in dissing costly Marine One chopper upgrade

(NEWSER) - John McCain should know by now that Barack Obama is not an easy target. Yesterday, at the White House fiscal summit, Obama gave the floor to McCain, who tried to put some heat on his host by criticizing a plan to procure a new presidential helicopter fleet, ABC reports. Obama said he's already on it, and he finds the current chopper more than adequate. “Of course I've never had a helicopter before," he joked. "So, you know, maybe—maybe I've been deprived and I didn't know it.” More»

Prez praised by both parties for ambitious transition efforts

(NEWSER) - These days, not even "Brownie" would say "Heckuva job, Bushie," but President Bush is getting lauded by both sides of the aisle over his perhaps unparalleled efforts to ensure a smooth handover of power, Bloomberg reports. Bush began delegating tasks and deadlines this spring. “The White House and agencies are doing a good job, learning from mistakes of the past,” says a former White House aide who’s handled transitions since the Carter presidency. More»

Daughter sheds hard-earned privacy to court Obama constituency

(NEWSER) - Chelsea Clinton has put aside her quiet life as a Manhattan hedge-fund executive to hit the campaign trail solo in California and Nevada, hoping to bring her mother's message to young voters—the crucial demographic currently enamored of Barack Obama. Chelsea, 27, is pressing the flesh everywhere from sororities to farmer's markets, the LA Times reports. More»