Health reformers prepare for Senate hurdle (Financial Times of London)

Nov 09, 2009 - Health reformers prepare for Senate hurdle By Edward Luce in Washington Published: November 8 2009 20:19 | Last updated: November 8 2009 20:19 The first thing Barack Obama did late on Saturday night following the passage of the healthcare bill in the House of Representatives was to phone the heads of three industry lobby groups to thank them for their support. Not included on the list was the largest insurance lobby group, American Health Insurance Plans, which doggedly continues to oppose Democratic reform efforts. Amid all the late night celebrations after the razor-thin 220-215 vote for the bill, Karen Ignagni, head of AHIP, warned that it would be a much tougher battle to push reform through the Senate in the weeks ahead. - 0 Comments

Health Care passes in the House

Nov 08, 2009 -   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/08/health-care-passes-the-sc_n_349783.html   The House floor erupted in one of the loudest cheers the chamber has heard in years when Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), an hour before midnight, cast the 218th and deciding vote on landmark health care reform.   There were still six minutes and fifty-two seconds on the clock and the chair made a move to gavel the vote closed. - 24 Comments

Sarah, Sarah, Sarah

Nov 09, 2009 - WEST ALLIS, Wis. – Sarah Palin rallied thousands of abortion opponents Friday night with a a stark warning that the same philosophy that allows abortion rights could soon be invoked to allow the government to cut off health care for the elderly or children with special needs. Speaking to a fund-raising banquet of Wisconsin Right to Life, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee asserted that if policy-makers don’t believe a child in the womb is valuable, then “perhaps the same mind-set applies to other persons.” “What may they feel about an elderly person who doesn’t have a whole lot of productive years left,” Palin asked an audience of about 5,000 who paid $30 each to hear her speak in an airplane hangar-like exhibition hall at the Wisconsin state fairgrounds just outside of Milwaukee. - 9 Comments

Obama's "mild" presidency

Nov 05, 2009 - Analysis: Where was the downtown rally? Obama’s Madison visit a hallmark of his mild presidency By JOHN NICHOLS   Analysis: Where was the downtown rally? Obama's Madison visit a hallmark of his mild presidencyOne year ago Tuesday, Barack Obama redefined American electioneering to such an extent that it was possible to believe that the success of his transformational campaign would lead to a transformational presidency. - 16 Comments

3 Contests on Election Day Could Signal Political Winds

Nov 03, 2009 - In this supposedly quiet off-year election, three contests taking place Tuesday are filling the void. Voters in New Jersey and Virginia will elect governors, while voters in upstate New York are filling a vacant House seat in a race with national implications. Here are some things to look for as the results come in. - 57 Comments

TV Workout Pumps Up Hill

Oct 21, 2009 - TV Workout Pumps Up Hill By Andie Coller   It was Paul Ryan’s abs that sold Kevin Brady.   “When I saw Paul Ryan — man, he’s gotten in great shape. He doesn’t have a six-pack; he’s got, like, a 12-pack,” Brady, a Texas Republican, says of his fellow GOP-er, who hails from Wisconsin. - 10 Comments

Obama's Letter Was Answer To A Little Boy's Request ( I LOVE THIS STORY)

Oct 21, 2009 - WEST HARTFORD — - When Amy Mondschein dashed into Solomon Schechter Day School last Thursday, the head of the school and her son's teacher were waiting. The Enfield resident, whose son is a second-grader at the Jewish day school, was running late that day. Was she in trouble? - 14 Comments

AP Newsbreak: Nobel jury defends Obama decision

Oct 13, 2009 - OSLO – Members of the Norwegian committee that gave Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize are strongly defending their choice against a storm of criticism that the award was premature and a potential liability for the U.S. president. Asked to comment on the uproar following Friday's announcement, four members of the five-seat panel told The Associated Press that they had expected the decision to generate both surprise and criticism. - 16 Comments

Gay Rights Marchers Divided on Obama

Oct 11, 2009 - WASHINGTON – Thousands of gay and lesbian activists marched Sunday from the White House to the Capitol, demanding that President Barack Obama keep his promises to allow gays to serve openly in the military and work to end discrimination against gays. Rainbow flags and homemade signs dotted the crowds filling Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House as people chanted "Hey, Obama, let mama marry mama" and "We're out, we're proud, we won't back down." Many children were also among the protesters. - 20 Comments