Eyes On Obama Blog

BREAKING: Sarah Palin to Resign July 26

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:38:54 EDT

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will step down from her position as the state's chief executive effective July 26th, according to a statement from spokesman Dave Murrow. Her office declined to provide a reason for Palin's decision, though speculation is swirling around the possibility that she's looking to begin laying the groundwork for a 2012 run for the White House.

Damage Control: 7 Ways Sanford Has Made Things Harder on Himself

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:23:21 EDT

Mark Sanford is far from the first politician to step out on his wife, and others have managed to hang onto their political careers. Why, then, do things look so incredibly bad for Sanford? The bad news for the South Carolina Governor is that he only has one person to blame: himself.

The White House Pays: WH Releases Staff Pay Records

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:17:56 EDT

The White House released the pay records for all 487 staffers to the President, Vice President, First Lady and other officials in the West Wing. Salaries started at $36,000 and topped out at $172,200. The total pay for all staffers represents an 18% increase over the Bush staff.

Sanford Scandal a Blessing in Disguise for John Ensign

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:28:00 EDT

A little more than a week ago, John Ensign was in the hotseat, and his name was splashed across the headlines of every major newspaper in the country. But now that politicos and the press have found a more salacious story to focus on, his name has given way to South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, whose scandal- for Ensign- couldn't have come at a better time.

House Dems Defy White House, Prepare to Launch Senate Bids

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:48:42 EDT

New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney appears poised to buck the White House and move closer to launching a primary challenge against incumbent Democrat Kirstin Gillibrand in the 2010 Senate race. Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania is expected to take a similar step in his home state, despite the Administration's efforts to clear the field for Sen. Arlen Specter.

Coleman Concedes, Obama Congratulates Franken

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:19:41 EDT

After a political and legal battle that has spanned nearly eight months, Republican former Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota has condeded victory to his Democratic challenger, former Saturday Night Live writer Al Franken. President Obama issued a statement and called the Senate's newest member to congratulate him on his hard-fought win.

Sanford: "Handful" of Other Woman, But This One Was "Soul Mate"

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:32:58 EDT

In a sort of rolling series of confessions, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford upped the ante on his previous mea culpa for disappearing for five days to visit mistress Maria Shapur in Argentina. Sanford revealed this morning that he'd made many more visits to the woman than previously disclosed, and this afternoon admitted that over time, there were other women as well. But Shapur, he says, is his soul mate.

Minnesota Supreme Court Declares Franken Winner

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:59:56 EDT

Senator-elect Al Franken won a significant victory as Minnesota's highest court handed down a ruling upholding the recount that allowed the former Staurday Night Live writer to edge Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. Depending on how Coleman responds, Democrats could seat their 60th Senator within days. But Franken isn't quite out of the woods.

5 Reasons Mitt Romney is the Guy to Watch

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:17:18 EDT

Forgive me for speaking way too early, but the Republican presidential field seems to be shaping up sooner than anyone had previously imagined. Potential candidates are dropping like flies, and Romney seems to be the only one who's kept himself intact. It’s not that Romney is a shoe-in, but he is shaping up to be the candidate with the most in his arsenal right now.

Violence Spikes as Iraqi Security Forces Take Over For US Troops

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:34:51 EDT

More than six years after a US-led coalition rode into the streets of Baghdad in tanks, American military forces are preparing to withdraw all combat troops from the capitol and other major cities the region, and turn security responsibilities there over to the newly-trained Iraqi Security Forces. US troops will remain outside the cities until complete withdrawal in 2011.