Hello? Barack Here. No, Really

Summit leaders increasingly want to end war on drugs

(NEWSER) - With an election year well under way, President Obama went to the Summit of the Americas in Colombia determined to talk about trade deals and the economy. Unfortunately, many of the other leaders wanted to talk about the failed war on drugs and legalization, reports the LA Times . "In spite of all the efforts, the illicit drug business is still buoyant, drug addiction in all countries is a serious public health issue, and drug trafficking is still the main provider of funding for violence and terrorism," said Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. More»

It's yet another way the president's a commie

(NEWSER) - Glenn Beck found a new and creative way of insinuating that President Obama is a commie last night, attacking him for—of all things—opposing the military coup in Honduras. See, Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro also opposed the coup, which means clearly any right-thinking non-pinko would support it. “That’s Glenn Beck logic in action for you,” an incredulous Cajun Boy blogs for Gawker. More»

Celebuprez surprised to see Palin 'palling around with this crew'

(NEWSER) - Washington's elite came out for one of its swankiest events last night, but even political royalty got slightly starstruck by new crown prince Barack Obama, reports Politico. The new prez regaled some 200 DC bigwigs at the Alfalfa Club with a speech that roasted friends and rivals, including Sarah Palin, who Obama was surprised to see “palling around with this crew.” But in a room full of VIPs, Obama drew an unusual amount of awe from the crowd. More»

And manages to zing Edwards, Lieberman, and Palin at charity

(NEWSER) - Emboldened by the election, at least one Democrat brashly took potshots at a satirist who relishes zapping politicians on TV. Barack Obama's new chief of staff Rahm Emanuel roasted faux newsman Stephen Colbert at a weekend charity function—but in a deft word twist managed to zing a number of politicians. Emanuel said he was "afraid of Colbert—the same way Sarah Palin is scared of a geography bee, and John Edwards is scared of the National Enquirer." More»

If Barack can do it, anyone can—except Muslims, gays, atheists ...

(NEWSER) - A self-described “black man with a funny name” is now the most powerful person on the planet. So which minority group will next see one of its own in the Oval Office? Mark Oppenheimer considers the contenders in Slate:

• Women: Not technically a minority, which means that if “they choose to unite behind one of their own—as many of them were inclined to do in 2008—they'll be the not-so-little voting bloc that could.” Candidates: Hillary Clinton, Kathleen Sebelius, Claire McCaskill. Not a chance: Sarah Palin.