Black Caucus Openly Feuds With Obama

First lady has been a powerful player in her husband's White House: Book

(NEWSER) - A new (unauthorized) book by New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor depicts Michelle Obama as an "unrecognized force" in her husband's administration, according to an adaptation of The Obamas in the Times . Though initially reluctant to be a meddling first lady, she began voicing concerns when she felt her husband's big-picture agenda was getting sacrificed to mundane politics and even pushed the president to shake up his team of advisers, writes Kantor. Some highlights:

• Clashes with Rahm: She had a testy relationship with former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and he "chafed" at her influence. The president once passed along a criticism of hers to his staff ("She feels as if our rudder isn't set right"), and Emanuel reportedly repeated it with disdain to others. The excerpts also note that Emanuel offered his resignation at one point, when his criticisms about health care reform went public.

We'd 'probably be marching on the White House'

(NEWSER) - Rep. Emanuel Cleaver has already made it abundantly clear that he’s not the biggest fan of some of President Obama’s policies, and the Congressional Black Caucus chairman isn’t done talking. Angry over the nearly 17% unemployment rate in the African-American community, Cleaver says, "If Bill Clinton had been in the White House and had failed to address this problem, we probably would be marching on the White House. There is a less-volatile reaction in the CBC because nobody wants to do anything that would empower the people who hate the president." More»

President fears 'stunt' will endanger troops, lead to violence

(NEWSER) - President Obama weighed in on the Koran-burning controversy for the first time today, calling it "a recruitment bonanza for al-Qaeda." His comments came during an interview with George Stephanopoulos airing today on Good Morning America . Highlights:

• His message to Pastor Terry Jones: "This stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan. You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan. This could increase the recruitment of individuals who'd be willing to blow themselves up in American cities, or European cities."

Congresswoman says she'll prove innocence at trial

(NEWSER) - Maxine Waters isn’t rolling over for the House Ethics Committee. “The case against me has no merit,” the Los Angeles Democrat declared in a statement, promising to prove as much at trial. “I don’t think she’s going to be very diplomatic about this,” a source close to Waters tells Politico . “She’s going to call them out in very stark terms.” More»

Allegations coming next week, insiders say

(AP) - A second House Democrat, Rep. Maxine Waters of California, could face an ethics trial this fall, further complicating the election outlook for the party as it battles to retain its majority. Waters, 71, has been under investigation for a conflict of interest involving a bank that was seeking federal aid. Her husband owned stock in the bank and had served on its board. More»