These Stocks Will Flourish During Obama Years

His mother had health insurance when she died, and it paid up

(NEWSER) - A recent book on President Obama’s mother undermines his oft-told story that his mother spent the final years of her life battling insurance companies over her medical bills. The book, by New York Times reporter Janny Scott, reveals that Ann Dunham actually had health insurance that readily paid her claims. She did have a dispute, but it was with her disability insurance, the Times reports. And Obama must have known that, because in one letter she turns the case over to “my son and attorney, Barack Obama.” More»

White House proposal aims to unite Dems ahead of summit

(NEWSER) - The White House is crafting its own health care bill aimed at uniting House and Senate Democrats ahead of a bipartisan summit next week. The president hopes to avoid a Republican filibuster by attaching it to a budget bill, using the procedure called budget reconciliation. However, congressional Democrats have yet to see the bill—and it may be a tough sell. “There has not been a collaborative process,” a Dem tells the New York Times . "This is very much a White House proposal.” More»

President thinks Republican ideas will look worse in the spotlight

(NEWSER) - President Obama threw Washington a curve yesterday when he invited the GOP to a televised bipartisan health care discussion, and even though he might wind up right back where he started, it’s a good move. “It is a call-the-bluff moment, with the president daring Republicans to put their cards on the table,” writes Steve Benen of Washington Monthly . The White House apparently believes Republican ideas will look worse in the daylight. More»

GOP, Dem leaders to hash out reform with president

(NEWSER) - President Obama will discuss the future of health care reform with both Republicans and Democrats in a televised meeting later this month. Obama is looking to make good on two campaign pledges that critics say he has neglected since taking office: engaging in meaningful bipartisan negotiations and doing so with unparalleled transparency. Obama has been criticized for not broadcasting the health care negotiations on C-SPAN, as he promised to do on the stump. More»

Education, R&D are up, oil and gas companies down

(NEWSER) - The 2011 fiscal budget says much about the state of the country—and the state of the president. "Like any politician, he’s focused on rewarding friends and not enemies," write Eamon Javers and James Hohmann for Politico . A look at this year's winners and losers: Winners

• Education: "Ramped-up" spending and major reforms should please Obama's supporters in the teachers' unions.