TBO Politics

Report: Kennedy barred from communion by bishop

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:12:00 EST

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy said in a newspaper interview published Sunday.

Senate health bill clears first hurdle

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:50:00 EST

show of unity, Senate Democrats sealed a 60-vote majority needed to advance health care legislation Saturday ahead of an evening showdown with Republicans eager to doom the bill and inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama.

Get writing, kids: North Pole Santa letters will resume

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:58:00 EST

An Alaska senator says the U.S. Postal Service is resuming a program allowing volunteers to respond to letters sent to Santa Claus in care of the North Pole, Alaska, post office.

Oregon court says teacher can't take gun to class

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:04:00 EST

The Oregon Court of Appeals has rejected a request by a high school English teacher to carry a handgun at school, the latest legal setback for the teacher who says she needs the gun for protection from her former husband.

Some lawmakers send few to academies, AP analysis shows

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:07:00 EST

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - As the nation's military academies try to recruit more minorities, they aren't getting much help from members of Congress from big-city districts with large numbers of blacks, Hispanics and Asians.

Gates says Afghan troop surge could happen quickly

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:57:00 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said any new U.S. forces President Barack Obama sends to Afghanistan could move into the country swiftly, despite logistical hassles that force almost all major deliveries of troops and supplies to go by air.

GOP may not be able to halt debate on Senate health bill

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:52:00 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will hold its first vote on health care legislation on Saturday night and Democrats will need 60 votes to prevail.

Retailers seek rollback of spike in unemployment tax

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:13:00 EST

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Some Florida businesses want to partly roll back an increase in their unemployment compensation tax after being shocked by its magnitude.

Obama says U.S., allies discussing Iran sanctions

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:46:00 EST

Showing impatience with Iranian foot-dragging, President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and its allies are discussing possible new penalties to bring fresh pressure on Iran for defying international attempts to halt its contested nuclear program.

Palin, others irked by Newsweek cover shot in shorts

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:25:00 EST

Of all the adjectives one might use to describe Newsweek's current Sarah Palin cover, "unflattering" probably isn't one of them.

Senate health plan sets up historic debate

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:51:00 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Democratic leadership aide says legislation headed to the Senate floor would extend health care coverage to 31 million uninsured Americans at a cost of $849 billion over a decade.

Feud not mentioned in Obama Fox interview

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:28:00 EST

Fox News Channel correspondent Major Garrett called himself a "conscientious objector" in his network's fight with the White House after a brief interview with President Barack Obama Wednesday during which the topic never came up.

Hundreds line up in Michigan as Palin opens book tour

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:20:00 EST

Hundreds of Sarah Palin fans lined up Wednesday at a Michigan book store to get the chance to meet the former Alaska governor as she kicked off a national tour for her book "Going Rogue."

Florida attorney general race could be contest of dog lovers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:16:00 EST

If Pam Bondi gets into the Republican primary for Florida attorney general, it could be a contest between dog lovers.

Byrd becomes longest-serving member of Congress ever

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:31:00 EST

West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd became the longest-serving lawmaker in congressional history Wednesday, a milestone to be marked with a morning of Senate tributes and a special resolution.

Unemployment rate leads to huge tax hike for Florida businesses

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:55:00 EST

Unemployment compensation taxes paid by Florida businesses will skyrocket next year due to the state's high jobless rate that hit 11 percent in September, revenue officials said today.

Second lawsuit challenges state funding for schools

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:52:00 EST

TALLAHASSEE — A second lawsuit in as many weeks has accused Florida of shortchanging the state's public schools.

Obama tours China's Great Wall

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:22:00 EST

President Barack Obama absorbed history's expanse Wednesday from atop the Great Wall of China, a manmade wonder of such enormity that Obama found himself putting daily life in perspective.

Crist hopeful that lawmakers will have special session on rail

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:30:00 EST

Gov. Charlie Crist said he is "hopefully optimistic" that lawmakers will hold a special session soon about commuter rail, which could help the state win federal aid for a high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando.

Crist taking off gloves earlier than expected

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Faced with an onslaught of bad news for his U.S. Senate campaign, Gov. Charlie Crist is starting to fight back.