Eyes On Obama Blog

Dobbs Gave Thousands to Bush in '01

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:52:32 CST

As former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs considers what to do with the abundance of free time he has since resigning the position he held for the better part of the last 30 years, rumors about possible political ambitions have begun to swirl. But while Dobbs publicly eschews either party, his financial contributions paint a slightly different story.

Schwarzenegger Leaving Politics?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:36:51 CST

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the colorful Republican Governor of California and former actor, tells the AP that he won't be running for another office once he finishes his second term in Sacramento in January of 2011. His announcment puts an effective end to what had been speculation of his seeking the Republican nomination for Senate in 2010 or 2012.

Sen. Byrd Becomes Longest Ever Serving Member of Congress

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:42:28 CST

After 56 years and 320 days, Robert Byrd, the longtime Senator and former Congressman from West Virginia, has surpassed all others to achieve the longest record of uninterupted service of any member of either house of Congress. On Friday, the Dean of the Senate will celebrate his 92nd birthday. And on Monday, chances are that he'll be back at work like any other day.

Marijuana Decrim, Frank Chopp, and the Case of the Missing Balls

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:11:33 CST

According to multiple, well-placed sources (both inside the Washington state Legislature and those observing), Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, through a lack of political will and leadership, is the legislator most responsible for the death of marijuana decrim in the last session. A reliable inside source, in a position to know, tells me Chopp doesn't want to force a "controversial" marijuana decrim vote by the entire Legislature, because he doesn't want to force fellow Democrats (in the majority) to vote on pot any time before the 2010 elections.

Former Rep William Jefferson (D-LA) Sentenced to 13-Years

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:34:17 CST

Former Louisiana Democratic Representative William Jefferson, who was convicted in August on federal corruption charges including conspiracy to solicit bribery, has been sentenced by a state court in Virginia to 13 years in prison, the longest sentence ever handed down to a former federal elected official.

GOP Scrambles to Strike Abortion from Own Health Plan

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:15:46 CST

Just one day after a report from Politico.com that the employer-provided health plan extended by the Republican National Committee to its employees covers "elective abortion" procedures, the GOP committee has striken such coverage from its plan.

Army Chief Calls for More Afghan Troops

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:27:03 CST

United States Army Chief of Staff General George Casey said on Sunday that more troops are needed in Afghanistan to continue fighting the war against the Taliban. "I believe that we need to put additional forces into Afghanistan to give General McChrystal the ability to both dampen the successes of the Taliban while we train the Afghan civilian forces," he said.

House Passes Health Care Reform Bill

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:13:04 CST

Late Saturday night, the House of Representatives passed its own version of the health care reform bill that has formed the centerpiece of the Obama Administration's legislative agenda thus far. The Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) would ensure that 95–96% of US citizens receive affordable health care.

New York 23 Demonstrates Real Trouble for Republicans in 2010

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:47:16 CST

If Democrats seem to have really lost anywhere in the off-year elections on Tuesday, it's mostly in public opinion. Major media outlets and blogs alike have been citing what they suppose to be a "shift" in opinion ahead of a potential watershed year in 2010. A closer look at the factors behind each of the individual contests shows why that isn't necessariy the case.

Dems Win Big in NY, GOP Wins Big in NJ

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:38:02 CST

Interpreting the election may be more difficult than even the most seasoned political pundit may be willing to admit. Democrats won huge in New York 23. Republicans won (arguably) even bigger in New Jersey. And both parties fared just about as expected in both Virginia and the California 10th. So which side fared better?