Obama Wrecked Brainy-Black-Guy Cred

Mayda Del Valle, ELEW among invitees

(NEWSER) - Check off another campaign promise. President Obama is hosting the White House’s first-ever poetry slam, part of his vow to open up “the people's house” to artists, WNBC-TV reports. The 100 guests include actor James Earl Jones, writer Michael Chabon, jazz musician Esperanza Spalding, and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda. “To see our nation’s talent and be part of history is amazing,” says one guest. More»

In reversal of Bush policy, the DOJ will aggressively enforce anti-monopoly laws

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration’s top antitrust official plans to aggressively pursue a tougher enforcement policy to keep large corporations from dominating smaller rivals, the New York Times reports. In speeches today and tomorrow, Justice Department antitrust chief Christine Varney will announce the reversal of lax Bush-era antitrust policies, and encourage small businesses to bring complaints forward. More»

Jordan is Obama's biggest fan in new survey of Arab world

(NEWSER) - A new survey has found President Obama to be more popular in the Middle East than the country he leads, and analysts say he may be able to use that goodwill to help restore America’s relations with the region. The president has an average approval rating of 48% across the six countries polled, while the US comes in at just 33%, Reuters reports. More»

Planned Parenthood goes after Mitt, Mitt goes after Solyndra

(NEWSER) - Now that Mitt Romney has officially clinched the Republican presidential nomination, the fight is on. An update on the lines of attack being launched now that we know for sure it's Obama vs. Romney:

• The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is targeting Romney with one of its biggest political ad campaigns ever. A new video spot claims Romney will deny women access to birth control and cancer screenings, take away abortion rights, and not support equal pay for women. The campaign hits hard where it hurts, as Romney is already trailing President Obama among women, the New York Times notes.

United Astrology Conference panel is unanimous in prediction

(NEWSER) - A panel of renowned astrologers unanimously predicts that President Obama will be re-elected this fall—and before you scoff, the same panel also predicted his win in 2008. The presidential election prediction is the final event—and the highlight—of the United Astrology Conference, the world's largest astrology gathering that meets every four years. The conference also makes predictions related to earthquakes, lunar cycles, and the stock market, USA Today reports. More»