US Election News and Blog Activity
More schools close, swine flu cases pass 100 (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - Hundreds of schools scattered around the country closed as the nation's swine flu caseload passed 100 Thursday, and U.S. authorities said they eventually could produce enough vaccine for everyone if necessary but that shots couldn't begin until fall at the earliest.
No Racial Gap Seen in ’08 Vote Turnout
April 30th, 2009 By SAM ROBERTS The historic gap between blacks and whites in voter participation evaporated in last year’s presidential race, according to an analysis released Thursday.Maine Senate Backs Same-Sex Marriage
April 30th, 2009 By ABBY GOODNOUGH The measure would allow gay couples to marry starting later this year. It appears to have even broader support in the House of Representatives, which will take it up Tuesday.In Military, New Debate Over Policy Toward Gays
April 30th, 2009 By ELISABETH BUMILLER Opinions within the military toward President Obama’s pledge to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy are mixed and hard to capture.Obama Lands in France for NATO Meeting
April 30th, 2009 TIME.com Top Politics Stories President Barack Obama is in France for a gathering of NATO nations and some one-on-one sessions with European leadersHouse Approves Tobacco Regulation Bill
April 30th, 2009 TIME.com Top Politics Stories The House has approved legislation that for the first time would give the government powers to regulate tobacco productsCongress Poised to Adopt Tweaked Budget
April 30th, 2009 TIME.com Top Politics Stories Democrats controlling the House and Senate are on track to give President Barack Obama a key victory today by adopting slightly pared-back versions of his $3.6 trillion budgetUS panel: Religious freedoms ebbing in Russia (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections AP - A congressionally backed panel said Friday that religious freedoms were deteriorating in Russia, Turkey and four other nations that were added to a watch list of countries where people's rights to worship as they please or not to worship at all are at risk.National Briefing | Midwest: Minnesota: In Senate Fight, Coleman Presents Argument
April 30th, 2009 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Former Senator Norm Coleman asked Minnesota’s highest court to order the counting of at least 1,359 additional ballots and possibly thousands more in his Senate race or to throw out the election entirely.National Briefing | Mid-Atlantic: Pennsylvania: Contributions Ban Was Overly Broad, Court Says
April 30th, 2009 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The legislature went too far in banning casino owners and executives from making any political campaign contribution, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in wiping out what had been promoted as a bulwark against the gambling industry’s influence.Fiji leader defies democracy call - BBC News
April 30th, 2009 us election news - Google News Telegraph.co.uk | Fiji leader defies democracy call BBC News, UK - Nick Bryant The Pacific Islands Forum, a 16-nation regional grouping, had given Fiji until the end of Friday to announce a 2009 election date or be ousted from its number. New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully told reporters there would be "an immediate ... Dictator's plea to Kevin Rudd: let's talk to help restore Fijian ... Fiji, Facing Suspension From Pacific Forum, Rejects Elections Fiji government to extend emergency laws |
Souter exit starts court war (Politico)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
Politico - Supreme Court Justice David Souter’s planned retirement touches off a fierce fight between the parties that could reinvigorate moping Republicans and, depending on his choice, enhance or tarnish President Barack Obama’s bipartisan image.
Officials cite progress drafting Afghan benchmarks (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - Under pressure from Congress to develop ways to measure progress in Afghanistan, two top aides to President Barack Obama said the administration was readying benchmarks to gauge security, governance and economic development there.
Michelle Obama encourages spouses to volunteer (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - First lady Michelle Obama hopes to turn an annual White House picnic for members of Congress into a community service event for lawmakers and their families.
Media reports: Justice Souter retiring (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections AP - News media reports say Justice David Souter plans to retire from the Supreme Court at the end of the court's term in June.Report: US 2008 electorate most diverse - United Press International
April 30th, 2009 us election news - Google NewsReport: US 2008 electorate most diverse United Press International WASHINGTON, April 30 (UPI) -- The electorate in the 2008 US presidential election was the most diverse in the nation's history, an analysis found. The Pew Research Center analysis found that nearly one-in-four votes in the Nov. 4 election were cast by ... Obama's election most diverse in U.S. history, study shows Dissecting the 2008 Electorate: Most Diverse in US History 2008 Election Brought Out Most Diverse Electorate |
Interim Obama Communications Chief
April 30th, 2009 By THE NEW YORK TIMES Anita Dunn, a longtime Democratic consultant, has been coaxed into serving as the White House communications director until a permanent chief is named.Lowest white, highest black turnout helped Obama in US elections - Thaindian.com
April 30th, 2009 us election news - Google News Thaindian.com | Lowest white, highest black turnout helped Obama in US elections Thaindian.com, Thailand With 68.8 percent vote, black women had the highest turnout in US election history. In fact, young blacks in ages of 18 to 29 made history by increasing their voter turnout by 8.7 points - from 49.5 percent in 2004 to 58.2 percent. ... Report: US 2008 electorate most diverse Obama's election most diverse in U.S. history, study shows Dissecting the 2008 Electorate: Most Diverse in US History |
Al Qaeda operative cops plea (Politico)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections Politico - Ali Al-Marri, a Qatari man held without charge by the Bush administration for seven years on suspicions that he was an Al Qaeda sleeper agent, pled guilty Thursday to one felony count of providing material support to a terrorist organization.Dems struggle with Gitmo politics (Politico)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections Politico - Republicans are pushing the hot-button issue of what will be done about Guantanamo’s prisoners—so much so that Democrats signaled Thursday that they will likely drop language sought by the Pentagon to authorize the use of war funds to relocate the inmates.Sharpton fined, but feels vindicated in FEC probe (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections AP - The Rev. Al Sharpton said he feels a weight has lifted, now that his longrunning battles with the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Election Commission are finally resolved.Steele vs. the establishment (Politico)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections Politico - The Republican National Committee is riven by a dispute between Chairman Michael Steele and a faction of RNC establishment veterans that threatens to undermine Steele’s ability to put his stamp on the national party.Senate defeats anti-foreclosure proposal (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections AP - The Democratic-controlled Senate on Thursday defeated a plan to spare hundreds of thousands of homeowners from foreclosure through bankruptcy, a proposal that President Barack Obama embraced but did little to see through.Campaign coaxes leaders' kids home - Vancouver Sun
April 30th, 2009 us election news - Google News CBC.ca | Campaign coaxes leaders' kids home Vancouver Sun, Canada - Doug Ward The two infant boys joined their grandfather on stage when the he launched his campaign on the first day of the election. "He loves hanging out with us and the grandkids. It's a great way for him to get perspective during the craziness of the campaign ... NDP trails BC Liberals by only three points: Poll Election Race A Dead Heat James targets North Island |
INSIDE WASHINGTON: Taxpayers to get rude surprise (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections AP - Millions of Americans enjoying their small windfall from President Barack Obama's "Making Work Pay" tax credit are in for an unpleasant surprise next spring.Analysis: Auto deal extends Obama’s reach, risk (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - In forcing a swift bankruptcy on Chrysler, President Barack Obama expanded the risk and reach of the presidency in the hope that the hidebound auto industry will find a way to remake itself.
Obama Voices Concern About Pakistan
April 30th, 2009 By HELENE COOPER and JEFF ZELENY At a news conference, President Obama also defended his decision to release memos on harsh interrogation techniques.Pew Study: 2008 Electorate Most Diverse Yet
April 30th, 2009 44 By Dan Balz A new study by the Pew Research Center found that participation rates among African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans all rose between 2004 and 2008, leaving the share of the electorate accounted for by white voters at an all-time low of 76.3 percent. African American women voted at higher participation rates than any other racial or ethnic group, according to the study, which was based on an analysis of Census data. The study found that 68.8 percent of eligible black women voted in the last election, an increase of 5.1 percentage points. White women were the next highest in participation rates, followed by white men, black men, Latino women and Latino men. Asian American men and women voted ranked at the bottom in terms of participation rates. Overall, African Americans accounted for 12.1 percent of the electorate, up from 11 percent in 2004. Black turnout increased byDurbin blames lobby for bankruptcy bill (Politico)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections Politico - Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin blames the powerful banking lobby for Thursday’s defeat of legislation he championed empowering bankruptcy judges to modify some troubled mortgages.Would-Be Successor Has Bunning’s Blessing To Explore Senate Race (CQPolitics.com)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections CQPolitics.com - Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson is making preparations to seek the Senate seat of GOP incumbent Jim Bunning -- a sign that Bunning will forgo what would be a very difficult re-election campaign.US says Pakistan terror attacks up (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - The number of terrorist attacks around the world fell by 18 percent last year but rose dramatically in Pakistan, growing in frequency and lethality, the State Department said Thursday.
House passes credit card bill that helps consumers (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - Riding a crest of populist anger, the House on Thursday approved a bill to restrict credit card practices and eliminate sudden increases in interest rates and late fees that have entangled millions of consumers. The legislation, dubbed the Credit Card Holders' Bill of Rights, passed by a bipartisan vote of 357-70 following lobbying by President Barack Obama and members of his administration.
INSIDE WASHINGTON: Taxpayers to get rude surprise (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections AP - Millions of Americans enjoying their small windfall from President Barack Obama's "Making Work Pay" tax credit are in for an unpleasant surprise next spring.More schools close, swine flu cases pass 100 (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - Nearly 300 schools scattered around the country closed as the nation's swine flu caseload passed 100 Thursday, and U.S. authorities said they eventually could produce enough vaccine for everyone if necessary but that shots couldn't begin until fall at the earliest.
Anita Dunn heads to the White House (Politico)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections Politico - Anita Dunn, a veteran Democratic strategist and top adviser on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, will take over as White House communications director at least temporarily, according to sources familiar with the move.Michelle Obama encourages spouses to volunteer (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: ElectionsAP - First lady Michelle Obama hopes to turn an annual White House picnic for members of Congress into a community service event for lawmakers and their families.
U.S. government staffer gave flu to family after Obama trip (Reuters)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
Reuters - A U.S. government staffer who visited Mexico City with President Barack Obama this month came down with flu-like symptoms that spread to family members, who have since recovered, the White House said Thursday.
Does Souter’s silence on hiring mean he’s leaving? (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - The case of the missing law clerks is this spring's most-watched mystery at the Supreme Court.
INTERVIEW: MICHAEL IGNATIEFF - Canada.com
April 30th, 2009 us election news - Google News National Post | INTERVIEW: MICHAEL IGNATIEFF Canada.com, Canada - Juliet O'Neill The Liberal leader made no apology for supporting the Conservative budget, thus averting an election. He dismissed a recent report quoting Liberal finance critic John McCallum saying June was the earliest window for defeating the government, saying, ... Liberals pay tribute to Stephane Dion's short reign Liberals go high-tech in dash for cash The Liberal convention's undeclared star attraction |
Officials cite progress drafting Afghan benchmarks (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: ElectionsAP - Under pressure from Congress to develop ways to measure progress in Afghanistan, two top aides to President Barack Obama said the administration was readying benchmarks to gauge security, governance and economic development there.
GOP recasts brand, sans wedge issues (Politico)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections Politico - Top Republican leaders Thursday offered a first look at plans to remake their party with a renewed focus on the bread-and-butter issues of domestic policy.Obama backs Chrysler bankruptcy as wise move (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - President Barack Obama announced Thursday that Chrysler would head into bankruptcy with the aid of up to another $8 billion in taxpayer money, a last-resort attempt to quickly restructure the struggling giant. He blasted hedge-fund creditors whom he said held out for a richer deal.
Study: $50B need to fix aging rail transit systems (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - More than one-third of the trains, equipment and facilities of the nation's seven largest rail transit agencies are near the end of their useful life or past that point, the government said Thursday. Many have components that are defective or may be critically damaged.
Ship captain: Just arming crews won’t stop piracy (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - The planet's shipping fleet should be protected from deadly pirates by arming senior crew members, or not depending on who was speaking Thursday to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips or his boss, Maersk Inc. Chairman John P. Clancey.
Drawings of 9/11 attacks taken off kids’ Web site (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections AP - An online coloring book from 2003 that showed planes crashing into the World Trade Center has been removed from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Web site.Independent Candidates Rising in India Politics - Voice of America
April 30th, 2009 us election news - Google News Telegraph.co.uk | Independent Candidates Rising in India Politics Voice of America - Raymond Thibodeaux By Raymond Thibodeaux There has been a huge increase in the number independent candidates, mostly ordinary citizens, vying for seats in India's parliament this election, a sign of growing frustration with the country's two biggest parties. ... Video: Playing the communal card in India's poll - 30 Apr 09 The blue blot on my middle finger Moderate turnout at third phase of India's elections |
Officials say Iran sanctions make more sense (AP)
April 30th, 2009 Yahoo! News: Elections
AP - Using U.S. military might to coerce Iran to halt its nuclear program would yield only temporary results, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday, adding that sanctions make more sense.