Barack Obama: Latest News on the Former President - Page 166

Analysis

Dec 30, 2008 9:22 AM CST

Obama Stays Tactically Silent on Gaza

Leaves himself room to maneuver when he takes office

(Newser) - As the violence mounts in Gaza, the vacationing Barack Obama has remained pointedly silent, resisting calls from both Jewish and Muslim groups to take a stand on the conflict. The White House and senior Democrats like Harry Reid have been less shy, expressing strong support for Israel, but Obama doesn’...

Tony Blair:
Part Obama,
Part Bush

Dec 29, 2008 5:51 PM CST

Tony Blair: Part Obama, Part Bush

Ex-prime minister optimistic but doesn't regret Iraq war

(Newser) - Tony Blair was both Britain's Barack Obama, promising change, and its George W. Bush, dragging his country into an unpopular war, Jennifer Senior writes in New York. But now the Middle East envoy and superstar Yale lecturer is his own man. He's excited about Obama's victory and urges the president-elect...

The Bra Wire
That Brought
Down Blago

GLOSSIES

Dec 29, 2008 1:25 PM CST

The Bra Wire That Brought Down Blago

Ill. corruption probe started with hospital administrator

(Newser) - The FBI corruption investigation that ended with the Illinois governor started in the bra of a surburban Chicago hospital exec, Nina Burleigh writes in the New Yorker. In 2003, Pamela Davis was trying to get a new building approved when she was told to use a certain contractor or kiss...

Year's Top 10
Moments of
Celeb Activism

Dec 29, 2008 11:50 AM CST

Year's Top 10 Moments of Celeb Activism

Oprah, Paris, Will.i.am make a difference

(Newser) - It’s been a big year for celebrity activism—so big that it deserves its own year-end top 10 list, Tina Daunt writes in the Los Angeles Times. Some famous faces that made a difference in 2008:

Oprah Winfrey fought hard for Barack Obama, including hosting a traffic-stopping garden party.

...

As Presidential 'Bubble' Closes, Obama Pokes Back

Dec 28, 2008 6:29 PM CST

As Presidential 'Bubble' Closes, Obama Pokes Back

President-elect ditches the reporter pool to take daughters to a water park

(Newser) - There's a growing gaggle of press and Secret Service standing between Barack Obama and the outside world—not to mention the corner hotdog stand—and the president-elect is showing signs that the presidential "bubble" is wearing on him, Politico reports. Obama ditched the pool of reporters assigned to follow...

Gaza Strikes Push Clinton, Obama to Mend Fences

ANALYSIS

Dec 28, 2008 2:29 PM CST

Gaza Strikes Push Clinton, Obama to Mend Fences

World waiting to see how former rivals react to latest crisis

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton criticized Barack Obama’s world affairs know-how in the primaries, but now the two are poised to join forces on their first foreign policy test, Tony Allen-Mills writes in the Times of London. Israel’s air offensive in Gaza undid months of negotiations to kick-start a peace process,...

Best Political Scoops of '08

Dec 27, 2008 9:19 PM CST

Best Political Scoops of '08

(Newser) - Traditional media outlets and on-the-spot amateurs alike captured the year's biggest US political moments. Here is Politico's look at some of the biggest scoops:

Palin meets Couric: Interviewed by Katie Couric on CBS, Sarah Palin fumbled with softball questions such as which publications she reads. Democrats and Tina Fey pounced.

...

'Rated R'
May Be Coming to a Website Near You

Dec 27, 2008 6:09 PM CST

'Rated R' May Be Coming to a Website Near You

Brits hope to partner with US to police web

(Newser) - Calling the Internet a “quite dangerous place,” Britain’s culture secretary says he’ll work with the Obama administration on establishing international guidelines to protect children. One idea under consideration: giving websites film-style ratings, the Telegraph reports. “There is definitely a case for clearer standards online,”...

Obama Gets
Knocked for
Bad Science

Dec 27, 2008 5:14 PM CST

Obama Gets Knocked for Bad Science

Group also zings Cruise, Oprah, McCain for scientific flubs

(Newser) - He’s about to lead the free world, but Barack Obama’s a little fuzzy on science, says a group that put the president-elect—along with John McCain, Tom Cruise, Oprah, and many others—on its celebrity list of shame. Obama’s offense? Suggesting that rising autism rates could be...

RNC Chief 'Appalled' by Rival's Use of 'Magic Negro'

Dec 27, 2008 3:58 PM CST

RNC Chief 'Appalled' by Rival's Use of 'Magic Negro'

Duncan slams rival for distributing song

(Newser) - The Republican National Committee’s chairman has scolded a potential successor for distributing a song entitled “Barack the Magic Negro,” Politico reports. “I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate," said Mike Duncan, who is vying for re-election to his post. He...

RNC Hopeful Sends Out 'Barack the Magic Negro'

Dec 27, 2008 12:10 PM CST

RNC Hopeful Sends Out 'Barack the Magic Negro'

Saltsman puts Obama song on holiday CD

(Newser) - A candidate for chair of the Republican National Committee has included a song called “Barack the Magic Negro” in a Christmas mailing, the Hill reports. Chip Saltsman said, “RNC members have the good humor and good sense to recognize” that the song, written by Paul Shanklin and sung...

Lights Out for
Obama in Oahu
Power Outage

Dec 27, 2008 8:01 AM CST

Lights Out for Obama in Oahu Power Outage

800,000 lose power during storm; Prez-elect gets generator

(Newser) - The Hawaiian island of Oahu lost power during heavy rain and lightning last night, leaving the population of 800,000 and thousands of tourists, including vacationing President-elect Obama and his family, in the dark. Authorities advised residents to stay home and to conserve water. Hawaiian Electric Co. took an emergency...

Kennedy: 9/11, Obama Inspired Me to Seek Senate Seat

Dec 27, 2008 3:17 AM CST

Kennedy: 9/11, Obama Inspired Me to Seek Senate Seat

Campaign work pushed hopeful towards politics

(Newser) - The terrorists attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and her work for Barack Obama's campaign helped push Caroline Kennedy towards a career in politics, the Senate hopeful tells the AP. Kennedy credited her mother with giving her the courage to seek the job, and said she hopes she will be able...

Dems Stand to Lose Clinton's Fundraising Chops

Dec 26, 2008 2:26 PM CST

Dems Stand to Lose Clinton's Fundraising Chops

Cabinet officials usually refrain from helping other candidates

(Newser) - Democrats may lose a powerful fundraiser in Hillary Clinton when she becomes secretary of state, the Hill reports. Cabinet officials usually avoid overt campaigning for other candidates, and Clinton’s fundraising prowess and network are likely to be particularly missed: HillPAC, Clinton’s leadership political action committee, has directed more...

2008's Hunkiest Guys

OPINION

Dec 26, 2008 11:44 AM CST

2008's Hunkiest Guys

Jackman, Beckham ... and Obama highlight Fox list

(Newser) - Fox News has a holiday gift for everyone: The hottest men of 2008. Here's a sample:

Barack Obama: "Slated to become the president with the meanest six-pack in history."
David Beckham: "Wow. We want to say something but just ... wow."
Brad Pitt: "Even that three-piece

...

Top New Phrases of 2008

Schott compiles list of 2008's most memorable neologisms

(Newser) - 2008 will be remembered not only for a historic election and financial gyrations, but for the words and phrases that came into use this year. Ben Schott, author of Schott's Almanac, lists some of 2008's most interesting neologisms in the London Times.

Terrorist fist jab: A blunt Fox News-ism to

...

Obama Most Admired Man: Poll

Dec 26, 2008 9:56 AM CST

Obama Most Admired Man: Poll

Poll shows President is popular, but then, so was Bush

(Newser) - Barack Obama is the man Americans admire most, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll, and no one else comes even close. Obama was the first or second pick for 32% of respondents; George Bush, who has topped the list for 7 years, came in second with just 5%. It’...

Obama Must Be a Goo-Goo:
Krugman

OPINION

Dec 26, 2008 9:07 AM CST

Obama Must Be a Goo-Goo: Krugman

That's a good-government wonk, much like FDR

(Newser) - Bill Clinton once declared that “the era of big government is over.” Barack Obama can’t do that, writes Paul Krugman of the New York Times. “Indeed, he has to be a goo-goo.” Goo-goo being a century-old term for “good government” proponents. FDR, for example,...

Obama Visits Troops in Hawaii

Dec 26, 2008 7:31 AM CST