president

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Laura Bush 'Stood Straighter' After Leaving White House

First lady felt weight of the world lifted upon return to Texas

(Newser) - Laura Bush felt a weight lift when she returned to Texas after 8 years in Washington, free of the rigors of protecting America in the post-9/11 era, the former first lady tells Politico . “I didn’t really realize how stressed we were and how vigilant we were—that hypervigilance—...

Teacher Hangs Obama Effigy in Classroom

'He wasn't thinking,' says superintendent

(Newser) - Rhode Island school officials are investigating the actions of a teacher who hung an effigy of President Obama by its heels in front of his high school classroom. The foot-long doll was apparently hung in protest against Obama's support for the mass firing of teachers at the failing school. "...

Sarkozy Pushes for Burka Ban
 Sarkozy Pushes for Burka Ban 

Sarkozy Pushes for Burka Ban

But it's 'essential that no one felt stigmatized,' says French prez

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy restated his support for a ban on the wearing of burkas in his country in a New Year's address today—while stressing that any decision should await the results of a parliamentary inquiry on the subject, which are expected later this month. While Sarkozy’s own party is...

Nigerians Call on Prez to Prove He's Alive

Adua, abroad for medical treatment, mum on Xmas bomb attempt

(Newser) - Some Nigerians suspect their president, who split the country in late November, complaining of chest pains, and has not made a public appearance since, could in fact be dead. Umaru Yar’Adua has failed to weigh in on critical state decisions, and was even mum on the Christmas terror attempt...

Obama Effigy Hanged in Jimmy Carter's Hometown

Secret Service investigating ugly incident in Plains, Ga.

(Newser) - The Secret Service is investigating after a black doll wearing an "Obama" sign was found hanged from a sign on a storefront in Plains, Ga., Jimmy Carter's hometown. "It's wrong what they did, but I'm not shocked to hear about it," a Plains resident told WALB , the...

Home Movie Reveals 'Toking' Monroe

'It was just a get-together,' says pal who filmed smokin' star

(Newser) - A recently surfaced home movie of Marilyn Monroe shows the star languorously sucking on what a friend revealed is a marijuana joint as she lounges with pals. Monroe takes a hit before vamping for the camera in a New Jersey apartment sometime in the 50s. The movie was purchased by...

What Happened to Our Basketballer-in-Chief?
What Happened to Our
Basketballer-in-Chief?
Golf well? No, he can't

What Happened to Our Basketballer-in-Chief?

Obama has traded basketball for golf

(Newser) - The old Obama played hoops—and he did it quite well. So why do we keep seeing him on golf courses? Since he took office, the one-time "Baller-in-Chief" has played basketball about seven times, compared to 25 rounds of golf. The White House has remained mum on what's behind...

Lincoln Letter to Boy on Sale for $60K

1861 note was sent to schoolboy to confirm their meeting

(Newser) - When 8-year-old George Patten was mocked by classmates in 1861 who didn't believe he'd met Abraham Lincoln, his teacher wrote to the president seeking to expose the boy's tall tale. Lincoln instead sent the boy a letter confirming that they had met the previous year. That document, believed to be...

Palin Not Fit for Presidency: Poll
 Palin Not Fit for Presidency: Poll
survey says

Palin Not Fit for Presidency: Poll

Voters think Hillary Clinton would be swell, though

(Newser) - With a blockbuster memoir and national tour, Sarah Palin is again grabbing headlines. But does she have what it takes for a 2012 presidential bid? The answer is a resounding “no,” according a CNN and Opinion Research poll. Only 28% believe she’s qualified for the nation’s...

Palestinians' Abbas May Not Seek Reelection

Move could be a feint to jump-start peace negotiations

(Newser) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not seek reelection next year, insiders say. Abbas has seen his credibility with Palestinians damaged during peace negotiations with the US and Israel, now stalled. “The president insists on not running in the upcoming election,” an official tells the Guardian, though some believe...

College Bosses Earn Record $1M+ Pay

Despite recession, school leaders' pay grows—with tuition

(Newser) - Lean times can go to the back of the class when it comes to college presidents. A record 23 of them raked in more than $1 million last year, up from nine in 2007. Not so surprisingly, many of presidents reigned at institutions among the 58 which charged more than...

Rumors Raise Concerns About Mandela's Health

Don't worry about 91-year-old's reduced schedule: grandson

(Newser) - Nelson Mandela is increasingly out of the public eye, raising questions about his health. The first black president of South Africa “recently decided to cut back his engagements even further and spend more time with his family,” the head of his foundation tells the Guardian . Rumors that he...

Sarko's $400K Shower Steams French
 Sarko's $400K 
 Shower Steams French 
CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION

Sarko's $400K Shower Steams French

French president's turn as EU chief cost double the usual amount

(Newser) - The French Senate is perhaps understandably miffed at the outrageous price tag of Nicolas Sarkozy’s 6-month stint as president of the European Union. The half-year job of hosting meetings and events appears to have cost $262 million, which is borne mostly by the host nation, an official tells the...

Fox News CEO Rules Out Presidential Bid in 2012

'I can't take the pay cut,' Roger Ailes jokes

(Newser) - Roger Ailes won’t run for president in 2012, despite appeals from friends and associates. The Fox News CEO says he thinks he’ll serve the nation better in his current role: “This country needs fair and balanced news more now than ever before, so I’m going to...

Obama, Bush 41 Tout Public Service

(Newser) - A bipartisan call for public service got a warm reception today at Texas A&M, where George HW Bush welcomed President Obama and 44 hailed 41 as "an inspiration to us all." At a forum celebrating the 20th anniversary of the former president's Points of Light Institute, Obama—...

Erratic Obama Cheapens the Presidency
Erratic Obama Cheapens the Presidency
OPINION

Erratic Obama Cheapens the Presidency

Time for leader of free world to stop acting like a candidate: Cohen

(Newser) - Barack Obama has been in office for nearly a year, but for Richard Cohen, he's still "the candidate-in-full," unaware that he is already president. Watching Obama alongside Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy last week, the Washington Post columnist perceived "a faux Cuban missile crisis"—and a...

Bush Redux? Runaway Exec Power Traps Obama, Too
Bush Redux? Runaway Exec Power Traps Obama, Too
OPINION

Bush Redux? Runaway Exec Power Traps Obama, Too

Every modern president succumbs to the National Security State, writes Wills

(Newser) - George W. Bush expanded executive power to an extreme degree, but he wasn't an exception, writes historian Garry Wills. Since World War II, the presidency has accrued massive, unintended authority—controlling nuclear weapons, intelligence agencies, and a worldwide military network under "the cult of the commander in chief."...

Historian Sheds Gossipy Light on Clinton Years

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:...

Bill Clinton: Obama Will Win Health Battle
Bill Clinton:
Obama Will Win Health Battle
INTERVIEW

Bill Clinton: Obama Will Win Health Battle

Up to 6 GOP senators may back Baucus bill, says former president

(Newser) - Barack Obama will prevail in his fight to pass a health reform bill, his predecessor Bill Clinton insists in an interview with Bloomberg. The former president predicts that Olympia Snowe and probably Susan Collins, Maine's two moderate Republican senators, will be persuaded to vote for the Baucus bill, which he...

Bill and Barack Buddy Up Over Lunch

Relations have improved between president, ex-president

(Newser) - Rapping knuckles on Wall Street is hard work, so when Barack Obama finished yesterday, he hopped over to Greenwich Village to grab a bite with Bill Clinton, reports the Washington Post. On the menu? "Fish, pasta and salad," said Clinton. "Even I was healthy." And up...

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