Giuliani survived Sicilian mafia's 'Boss of bosses' contract on his life

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani had the mafia "Boss of bosses" out to kill him in the 1980s.

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Conservatives can't wait for Obama to blast off

In gratitude for not having been pulverized to extinction by Asteroid 2000-EM26 on Feb. 17 - it missed us by a whisker, only 3.4 million kilometres - the people of Planet Earth have been requested to join the mailing list of another mini-planet named for the Egyptian heron-god Bennu.

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Thousands of ClintonWhite House Papers Released

Washington - The National Archives made public on Friday afternoon a trove of secret documents detailing the inner workings of Bill Clinton's White House, a disclosure of acute interest not just to the history of one presidency but to the prospects of another.

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Nuclear dump leak raises questions about cleanup

For 15 years the trucks have barreled past southeastern New Mexico's potash mines and seemingly endless fields of oil rigs, hauling decades worth of plutonium-contaminated waste to what is supposed to be a safe and final resting place a half mile underground in the salt beds of the Permian Basin.

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Ex Democratic Rep. Taylor running in GOP primary

A longtime Democratic congressman who lost his south Mississippi seat in 2010 says he's entering the Republican primary in hopes of regaining the seat.

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How the tea party changed politics

The tea party movement began with loosely knit activist groups, and has become a major player in American politics.

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Ukraine After the Revolution

From a Ukrainian point of view, the priority is not to throw their revolution away again like they did after the Orange Revolution 10 years ago.

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For women to control their health care, the legislature needs to pass the Reproductive Parity Act

On Feb. 3, hundreds of Washingtonians from across the state traveled to Olympia for an amazing day of advocacy: the annual Reproductive Health and Rights Lobby Day.

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Health insurance enrollment efforts enter their final month

After an horrendous start and months of playing catch-up against a barrage of political attacks, Affordable Care Act supporters have hit the homestretch in their six-month effort to educate and enroll millions of Americans in health insurance.

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Afghan Taliban shot at downed US helicopter - head-on'

WASHINGTON: Taliban fighters shot at a US helicopter head-on from nearly point-blank range, US lawmakers heard Thursday, in what was the single deadliest incident for US and NATO forces in the Afghan war.

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Childers running for Senate

Travis Childers of Booneville, the former 1st District U.S. representative, announced Friday he is running for the Senate seat held since 1978 by Republican Thad Cochran.

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Attorney General weighs in on food stamp flap

Food stamp fraud cases would be hard to make against those who overspent benefit limits during a computer crash last October, state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said Friday.

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Primaries offer 1st major test of voter ID laws

In this Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 photo, an election official checks a voter's photo identification at an early voting polling site, in Austin, Texas.

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The Clinton records: What's in the newly-released files?

This photo, dated March 17, 1992, shows Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton in Chicago, waving to the crowd with wife Hillary after winning the Illinois primary.

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'Welcome to the world': Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Gregoire name new son Hadrian

Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie GrA goire have announced the arrival of a baby son.

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U.S. Senate Democrats do not plan to pass budget this year -Murray

Democrats in the U.S. Senate won't bother with passing their own budget this year, arguing that a deal in December has already set spending levels for the 2015 fiscal year, and "relitigating" it would create economic uncertainty.

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Hart's Local Grocers to get SBA loan

Rochester's next downtown grocer will get a $1.15 million loan from the Small Business Administration to help lock in financing for construction, officials announced Friday.

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Pro-Cochran super PAC hits McDaniel over Katrina comment

A super PAC supporting Sen. Thad Cochran released new commercials Friday slamming Cochran's primary opponent for hesitating when he was asked whether he'd have supported a Hurricane Katrina relief bill.

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Filing period ends, Brannon switches races

In an interesting move, Josh Brannon of Vilas earlier this week withdrew his candidacy for Dan Soucek's N.C. Senate seat and filed Friday as one of four Democratic candidates for the Fifth District seat in the U.S. House held by Republican Virginia Foxx.

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Let's Move!' Challenge: Watch Pres. Obama And VP Biden Tackle Their White House Workout

President Obama and Vice President Biden go for a jog around the White House, doing their part to promote the first lady's "Let's Move!" initiative.

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How Clintons used Democratic Party to lobby 'vulnerable'...

The Clinton White House used the Democratic National Committee and government agencies to target and lobby a list of "on the fence" Democrats and Republicans to build support for its failed 1993 health care legislation, according to files made public for the first time today.

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Michelle Obama to appear on 'Parks and Recreation' finale, battling 'Pawnee obesity'

The cast of NBC's "Parks and Recreation" is getting a new member for a night: Michelle Obama.

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Facts You May Not Know About US Presidents

Although I'm assuming you're aware that there's a place called America and they have Presidents, you may not know all the little quirks that each of them have.

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Boxer asks CDC to look into polio-like paralysis in California children

Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to initiate a formal investigation into what has caused polio-like paralysis in about 20 children in California over the past 18 months.

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PM makes Ukraine call to Putin

David Cameron has renewed his call on Moscow to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity in a telephone call with Vladimir Putin.

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Skirmish breaks out in normally dry monetary policy

Monetary policy is generally as exciting as say Olympic curling_ only a small corner of the universe generally gets excited.

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Capitol View Commentary: Friday, February 28, 2014

MIKE TURNER ON INSIDE POLITICS; AN INTERESTING TRIP TO WASHINGTON; HILLARY CORONATION; NASHVILLIAN OF THE YEAR; THE APPEAL; WHAT'S IN A NAME; MISERABLE; STRANGE BEDFELLOWS His retirement announcement Thursday was in many ways the surprise, big news on the Hill in recent days .

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Israel Lobby AIPAC Down, But Not Out---Yet

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is still one of the most powerful lobby organizations in the country, but fortunately, it is starting to lose its iron-clad grip on our policymakers.

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Documents show Clinton health care strategy

Former President Bill Clinton listens as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks to guests at the Clinton Global Initiative on June 13, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Tea party ready for fight with GOP establishment

Tea partyers insist they're not to blame for Republican election losses in congressional and presidential elections, faulting the GOP establishment for showing little fight.

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Publishers Clearing House hires Manatt - MWW launches LGBT practice ...

PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE HIRES MANATT: Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, you are a winner! The Prize Patrol might be coming to your neighborhood very, very, very soon, because you've just inked Publishers Clearing House as a client.

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The Clinton records: What's in the newly released files?

This photo, dated March 17, 1992, shows Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton in Chicago, waving to the crowd with wife Hillary after winning the Illinois primary.

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Figures on Economic Growth in 2013 Revised DownWay Down

Real gross domestic product, the total output of goods and services in the U.S., increased at an annual rate of 2.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bureau of Economic Analysis announced Friday.

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The Debate Over Post-War Afghanistan

If President Barack Obama were to decide to leave no military advisory force in Afghanistan next year, would Afghan security unravel to the point of enabling a civil war, a Taliban takeover and a return of al-Qaida in such numbers as to pose a 9/11-type threat? That is the question at the core of the debate over Obama's next move in a long-running ... (more)

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The Supreme Court Has Given Police Another Way to Search Your Home Without a Warrant

Make sure you're on good terms with your roommate or spouse - the Supreme Court now says just one occupant of a home can give consent to searches without a warrant, even if an individual has previously objected.

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Mormon Church Pushes Back Against 'Cartoonish Image of People...

The Mormon Church is pushing back against a misconception it says has been spread by pop culture: that members of the faith are taught they'll get their own planet in the afterlife.

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Pizza-Delivery Driver Says Crooks Robbed Him at Gunpoint, Stealing...

Pizza-Delivery Driver Says Crooks Robbed Him at Gunpoint, Stealing Cash and His Car.

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If You Thought That Viral Kiss Cam Video Was a Fake, Here's the Full Story Behind It

The brother who seemed all too prepared for a kiss camera to land on him and his sister during a University of Minnesota hockey game earlier this month is now revealing how he knew to come with a sign to say why he wasn't leaning in for a smooch.

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Mass. Agency Breaks Silence in Pelletier Case, But Dad Tells Us He's Not Fully Buying It

The Massachusetts Department of Children & Families on Friday broke its silence about the high-profile case involving a Connecticut teenager taken away from her parents last year after a disagreement over a diagnosis led to accusations of medical child abuse.

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'Very Exciting' Historical Find Under Alcatraz

A new discovery is giving Alcatraz - the famous prison that served as an involuntary home to some of the " worst of the worst " criminals -even more of a backstory to add to its fascinating history.

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New, Wearable Gadgets Designed With Seniors - Not Whippersnappers - in Mind

One company has created a wearable monitor that can masquerade as a watch or piece of jewelry, but allows families to keep tabs on the movement and sleep patterns of elderly loved ones.

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Couple That Found $10 Million in Gold Coins Will Have to Hand Over How Much in Taxes?

A California couple that discovered $10 million worth of gold coins last year will have to pay nearly half that amount in federal and state income tax, regardless of whether they sell the coins.

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APNewsBreak: Childers enters Senate race in Miss.

Travis Childers, a conservative Democrat who served just over two years in Congress, says he's running for the U.S. Senate in Mississippi.

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Gene Taylor, now a Republican, announces bid for 4th congressional district

The Sun Herald has reported that former Congressman Gene Taylor is filing papers today to run as a Republican against incumbent Fourth District Congressman Steven Palazzo-R.

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Ukrainian Jews to Receive $1 Million For Added Security as Political...

Ukrainian Jews are slated to receive $1 million to increase security against possible upticks in anti-Semitic behavior in the wake of the country's massive political upheaval.

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Travis Childers running for Senate

Travis Childers of Booneville, the former 1st District U.S. representative, announced Friday he is running for the Senate seat held since 1978 by Republican Thad Cochran.

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Pics and Vid: Gunman Killed After Nearly Three-Hour Standoff with SWAT Outside Florida Courthouse

A gun-wielding man was killed during a standoff with a SWAT team Friday morning outside a courthouse in Viera, Fla., on the east coast of the state.

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The Movie Beck Hated So Much He Revealed All the Spoilers to Keep You From Going

Glenn Beck saw the movie "Non-Stop" featuring Liam Neeson on Thursday, and he hated it so much that he spoiled the ending for millions of people on his radio show Friday.

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UConn senior Dolson hopes for Obama dance-off

Stefanie Dolson has helped Connecticut to a 133-11 record and a national championship in her four years on the team.

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See the Emotional Moment a News Anchor Who Survived Cancer Took Off Her Wig on Live TV

For women on TV, that's particularly true. So it was with heavy emotion that the WMC-TV anchor in Memphis, Tenn., took off her wig on live television after battling cancer.

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Key lawmaker: Don't try to hash out pay reform this year

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee wants to delay any major military retirement and compensation debate until next year, instead focusing on other areas of potential savings for the fiscal 2015 defense budget.

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Sen. Cruz won't endorse Cornyn in Texas GOP race

The sniping between establishment Republicans and tea partyers resumed Thursday as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz refused to endorse his state's senior senator in next week's Republican primary.

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Rangel primary challenger signs up for a rematch

New York state Sen. Adriano Espaillat , who came within two points of unseating Rep. Charlie Rangel in a 2012 primary, will challenge the longtime congressman again this year.

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Cory Gardner: The Devil You'll Soon Know

The Colorado Independent's John Tomasic offers solid analysis today of the entry of Congressman Cory Gardner into the 2014 U.S. Senate race.

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Another Democrat to Retire: Rep. Ed Pastor of Arizona

The first Hispanic elected to Congress in Arizona will retire at the end of this term.

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Michelle Obama to Appear on 'Parks and Recreation'

NBC announced Thursday. The one-hour season-six closer is slated to air Thursday, April 24 at 8 p.m. Obama's cameo will be in the episode titled "Moving Up," which was filmed in late February in Miami, where she celebrated investments in healthier out-of-school programs as part of her Let's Move initiative dedicated to solving the challenge of ... (more)

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Police: Students smoked pot here

The igloo, tucked away in a wooded area in the Salt Lake City school's campus, was 5 feet high with walls that were 10 inches thick, campus police said.

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ComEd Seeks Faster Schedule to Deliver Smart Meters and Consumer Benefits to Customers

ComEd announced today that it is seeking to accelerate the timetable for installing smart meters that help customers better manage and reduce their energy consumption and costs.

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With Rep. Cory Gardner exiting U.S. House, Republicans eye race

Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck might be the front-runner in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, but plenty of other Republicans are looking at jumping into the race.

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Dayton congressman may seek coveted committee chair

WASHINGTON Rep. Mike Turner is emerging as a serious candidate to chair a coveted House committee that specializes in investigating the executive branch.

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NBA Champion Kobe Bryant Joins Growing Number of Top Athletes and...

NFL Players Will Allen, Stevie Brown, Jonathan Casillas, Kurt Coleman, Jermichael Finley, Paris Lenon and O'Brien Schofield Join with Personal Success Stories Mobile app and interactive website GamePlan4Me.com announced today that Kobe Bryant, NBA champion, has added his personal story to those of other accomplished athletes on the site.

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Report: Keystone contractor followed rules

A consulting firm that helped write an environmental review of the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline complied with federal rules regarding possible conflict of interest, the State Department's inspector general said Wednesday in a report that buoyed supporters of the controversial pipeline and disappointed critics.

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Jindal's White House media grab panders to ALEC, Koch brothers

Jindal's outburst upon exiting a meeting between the nation's governors and President Barack Obama Monday was a petulant display of immaturity that only served to underscore his disgraceful scorn for Louisiana's working poor in favor of pandering to the mega-rich Koch brothers.

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Boxer asks CDC to look into paralysis cases

Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to initiate a formal investigation into what has caused polio-like paralysis in about 20 children in California over the past 18 months.

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Colbert checks conservative media on Clinton age issue

Clearly nobody at Fox News did their homework when they ran with a report asking if Hillary Clinton's age would be a detriment to her candidacy if she decides to run for president in 2016.

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Dave Camp's pitch to overhaul U.S. taxes: An impossible dream?

FORTUNE On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Dave Camp , chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, unveiled an ambitious plan to overhaul America's complicated tax code.

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St. Lukea s files a Medicaid-related lawsuit

Dennis Moore, who represented Kansas’ 3rd District in Congress for 12 years, returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to urge his old colleagues to invest in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, the degenerative brain disease from which he suffers.

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Texas tea party activists disavow US Rep. Stockman

A coalition of top Texas grassroots conservatives has formally disavowed U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, saying he never represented tea party values.

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David Freudberg: Arizona and the Power of Boycotts

One of the most underrated tactics for social change was on vivid display in Arizona yesterday.

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Republican Senator: Healthcare sat on a wall, had a great fall

Fixing health care is about as possible as putting Humpty Dumpty together again, according to North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, who was part of a panel of six Republican's discussing health care Thursday at the National Press Club.

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Missouri Senate passes border war truce bill

The Missouri Senate voted 30-2 Thursday to pass a bill that would prohibit the use of state incentives to attract Kansas City-area companies across the state line.

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Washington watch: On Iran, Washington bets everything in Vienna

The White House and Congress agree on one thing: If negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program fail in Vienna, America's remaining options are terrible.

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Clay Aiken officially joins NC congressional race

Former "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken officially filed Thursday to run for Congress in North Carolina, saying that he wants to help end the gridlock in Washington and that no single political party has all the answers.

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Five key moments from five years of the Tea Party

Bert Maxwell, 82, from Sonora, Calif., attends a tax day rally in Sacramento on April 15, 2009.

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Clay Aiken Makes Congressional Bid Official

A runner-up from T.V. singing competition American Idol submitted paperwork Thursday to run for Congress in North Carolina, the Associated Press reports.

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Arizona Governor's Veto Aimed At Own Party's Right

Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer slapped down the right wing of her own party, vetoing a bill pushed by social conservatives that would have allowed people with sincerely held religious beliefs to refuse to serve gays.

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Most Americans disappointed in Obama: poll

Most Americans are disappointed in Barack Obama, a CBS News/New York Times poll finds .

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Senate blocks Dems' bill boosting vets' benefits

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. faces reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, following a closed-door Democratic policy meeting.

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What's on Janet Yellen's mind | Jon Talton

Up until now, Fed officials have been highly optimistic about the recovery picking up momentum this year.

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Schools do more than educate

Even as Obama-care stumbles and bumbles its way into a compromised and inadequate existence, some steps are being taken in Vermont that will at least improve dental health care opportunities.

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Sen. Corker Skeptical of Putin, Obama Roles in Ukraine

Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has voiced skepticism about what role Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Barack Obama will play in Ukraine after the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych.

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Reid sees vets bill headed toward Senate defeat

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said a $21 billion Democratic measure enriching health care, education and job-training benefits for veterans seemed headed for defeat Thursday, and he blamed Republicans.

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Arizona governor's veto aimed at own party's right

Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer slapped down the right wing of her own party, vetoing a bill pushed by social conservatives that would have allowed people with sincerely held religious beliefs to refuse to serve gays.

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Arizona governor vetoes bill on gays, religion

Pictures of ousted Ukraine leader Viktor Yanukovych's opulent compound have surfaced after anti-government protesters and journalists gained access to his property.

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Biden Calls Out Dems for Being 'Too Shy' at DNC Winter Meeting

In remarks to state Democratic leaders at the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting, Vice President Joe Biden said his party members are "too shy" when it comes to promoting the party's platform among voters.

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Alexander Highlights Success Of Programs For Students With Disabilities At UTC, Vanderbilt

At a Senate hearing Thursday, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, the senior Republican on the Senate education committee, highlighted the success of programs for students with disabilities at UTC and at Vanderbilt University.

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Five key moments from five years of the Tea Party

The sad fact of the matter is, most of us won't make it to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras.

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Lawmakers accept millions in free travel

Members of Congress took more than $3.7 million worth of free trips last year - the highest price tag for privately funded travel in more than a decade, new data show.

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Obama, Clinton, Carter to speak at LBJ Library

President Barack Obama talks with Stacy Zoern, in wheelchair, as Josh Baer of Capital Factory looks on at a 2013 event in Austin.

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Pompeo defends Koch brothers, criticizes Reid

Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, defended Charles and David Koch after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., blasted the brothers for helping finance attack ads against Democrats that Reid said were misleading and dishonest.

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Why are people talking about building natural gas export plants in Oregon?

A natural gas tanker at St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada, home to the Canaport natural gas import plant.

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Joe Biden Urges Democrats To Not Apologize For Party's Policies

Vice President Joe Biden says his central message to Democrats is not to apologize for the party's policies heading into the 2014 midterm election.

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BGR brings on Lamel - Willhite joins Ogilvy - Biden, downtowners celebrate Rasky-Prism merger

BGR BRINGS ON LAMEL: Lobbying shop BGR Government Affairs has hired Joshua S. Lamel as a vice president.

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Ted Cruz on the media

Sen. Ted Cruz loves Twitter, bloggers and, unsurprisingly, Fox News, the Texas Republican said Thursday morning at a POLITICO Playbook Breakfast.

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Kathleen Parker: Bubba Bobby Jindal waves war flag

According to those who follow closely every little thing, governors are in town to share blankies and not hurt feelings.

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E.J. Dionne Jr.: To make our government work, Obama needs to think bigger

Republicans are unhappy that President Barack Obama is invoking his executive powers to govern in the face of a do-nothing-in-2014 House of Representatives.

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The Left's Most Hated Koch Brothers Are Only 59th In Highest Political Donations

Only days ago the most hatefilled, partisan member of the Senate, Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid, again cried that the evil Koch brothers are destroying the country with their political donations.

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Editorial: E-cigarettes should not be marketed to kids

But it ought to be beyond dispute that the lookalike, feel-alike devices should not be marketed to children.

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WRAPUP 2-Weather seems to blame for U.S. slowdown, Fed's Yellen says

Unusually harsh winter weather appears to be behind recent signs of weakness in the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said on Thursday, suggesting the central bank was poised to press forward in ratcheting back its stimulus.

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Reid Delays Action on Minimum Wage

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday delayed action for a few weeks on a bill to increase the minimum wage, a top political and policy priority of the White House and congressional Democrats this election year.

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Obama visits St. Paul's restored Union Depot

President Barack Obama and Secretary of Transportaion Anthony Foxx tour the Metro Transit Light Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility in St. Paul on Wednesday.

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Lugar says weapons threat still a big concern

Former senators Richard Lugar of Indiana and Sam Nunn of Georgia say they're pleased that efforts to disarm Ukraine of its nuclear weapons worked two decades ago, but they caution that the threat from weapons of mass destruction around the world is still high.

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Sen. Harry Reid says Republican stories of Obamacare woes are untrue

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that horror stories being told about President Obama's health overhaul are untrue, prompting Republicans to compile reports of Obamacare angst and cry foul at being called liars.

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Dozens of Tax Breaks Would End in Republican's Revamp Plan

U.S. Representative Dave Camp, a Republican from Michigan and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, arrives to a news conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 26, 2014.

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Tough Budget Choices Protect Security Interests, Fox Says

The Defense Department's proposed fiscal year 2015 budget protects the department's two most important constituencies: troops and taxpayers, Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Christine H. Fox said today in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute.

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Washington Co. DA, state police carry out large-scale drug sweep

The Washington County district attorney's office and state police, armed with 88 arrest warrants, on Wednesday carried out what investigators believed was the largest drug sweep in the county's history.

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UPDATE 1-U.S. Republican offers ambitious, but stillborn, tax overhaul

The U.S. House of Representatives' top tax writer released a comprehensive tax code overhaul on Wednesday, but it was widely seen as dead-on-arrival in a Congress still deeply divided over fiscal policy.

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American Action Network/American Action Forum

It was started by Norm Coleman, a former Republican senator from Minnesota, and Fred Malek, a longtime Republican fundraiser and strategist.

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Rand Paul Blocks Surgeon General Nominee for Believing Guns Are Hazardous To Your Health

"In his efforts to curtail Second Amendment rights, Dr. Murthy has continually referred to guns as a public health issue on par with heart disease and has diminished the role of mental health in gun violence," wrote Paul in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

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Keystone XL would endanger health of Americans, U.S. senators say

In this photo from March 2012, President Barack Obama speaks at the TransCanada pipe yard in Cushing, Okla.

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Pebble Mine Opponents Urge EPA To Kill Project

About 30 opponents of the proposed Pebble Mine met in Washington today with White House and high-ranking EPA staff.

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Christie jokes about pollsters at town hall

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House Passes Bill to Put More FOIA Processing Online

The House unanimously passed legislation late Tuesday that would make it more difficult for agencies to refuse to release information requested under the Freedom of Information Act and would require more FOIA requests to be managed online.

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Pressure mounts in Arizona anti-gay fight

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John Boehner on Tax Reform: 'Blah Blah Blah'

House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., is set to unveil a tax-reform proposal Wednesday that's expected to include broad simplifications to the tax code, along with lower rates for higher incomes and surtaxes on certain types of income for the wealthy.

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VIDEO: Arizona governor holding meetings over rights bill

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was holding a series of private meetings Wednesday with opponents and proponents of legislation adding protections for people who assert their religious beliefs in refusing service to gays, a proposal that has focused national attention on the state as business groups, gay rights supporters and even many fellow Republicans ... (more)

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Haley fundraiser rekindles 2011 Georgia port controversy, Democrats say

Some of the same Georgia business heavyweights and politicians who stirred a 2011 controversy for S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley plan to host a campaign fundraiser for her again next week.

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GOP too focused on Obamacare, some Republicans warn

Is the Affordable Care Act the Republicans' golden ticket in this year's election? Some Republicans worry that their party may be placing too big a bet on it.

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Representative Nesbitt, Others In Lansing Pushing For Keystone XL Approval

Michigan lawmakers want action now from the federal government to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

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UC part of $70 million partnership revealed in a White House announcement.

UC is a partner in the $70M Digital Lab for Manufacturing Award from the U.S. Department of Defense announced by the White House Feb. 25. The University of Cincinnati is a partner in the Digital Lab for Manufacturing, an applied-research institute organized by UI Labs, a Chicago-based research and commercialization collaborative.

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Senatorial race

The Topeka Capital Journal broke a story on Feb. 22, 2014 about U.S. Senate candidate Milton Wolf who is running against U.S. Senator Pat Roberts.

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Risa Lavizzo-Mourey Appointed to Smithsonian Board of Regents

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey has been appointed a member of the Smithsonian's Board of Regents.

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John Fahey Appointed to Smithsonian Board of Regents

John Fahey, former CEO of the National Geographic Society, has been appointed a member of the Smithsonian's Board of Regents.

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Ex-IRS official Lerner's attorney says no Hill testimony without immunity or court order

The attorney for Lois Lerner, a central figure in the IRS scandal, signaled Wednesday that his client will not comply with a request to testify on Capitol Hill next week.

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Lifeline Road on Ice Feds strand Alaska village in favor of preserving wildlife

The fishing community of King Cove is located in the Aleutians East Borough, which stretches from the tip of the Alaska Peninsula to the easternmost Aleutian Islands.

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UPDATE 1-U.S. Senate leader Reid blasts Koch brothers over Obamacare ads

U.S. Senate majority leader Democrat Harry Reid on Wednesday accused the billionaire Koch brothers of spreading "horror stories" about President Barack Obama's healthcare law, in the latest salvo in the election-year debate over Obamacare.

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A-10 Warthog Aircrafts Cut in New Military Budget, Hagel Announces

Among the new military budget cuts recently announced by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is the retirement of beloved tank-busting A-10 Warthog aircrafts.

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Jared Polis accepts GQ makeover after sporting polo-and-bow-tie combo

GQ asked whether U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, has the "worst Congressional style ever" after he was seen on the floor of Congress on Tuesday wearing a bow tie with a polo shirt.

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Top US prosecutor in benchmark-rigging probes to leave Justice Dept.

Mythili Raman, the top criminal prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice, is planning to leave the agency next month, wrapping up a year overseeing high-profile investigations into global market manipulation.

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Panel faults US gov't over offshore tax evasion

The bank, Credit Suisse, has provided accounts in Switzerland for more than 22,000 U.S. clients totaling $10 billion to $12 billion, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

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Reid Tables Vote Raising Minimum Wage

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid decided to table legislation raising the minimum wage.

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Acting DOJ criminal division head to leave post

The department said Wednesday that the departure of Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman takes effect on March 21. She has led the criminal division over the last year and joined the Justice Department as a criminal division trial attorney in 1996.

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U.S. lawmakers seek to revive Iran sanctions bill: report

TEHRAN Republican U.S. senators sought to revive a bill on Tuesday that would impose new sanctions on Iran despite President Barack Obama's insistence that the measure would endanger delicate negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program, Reuters reported.

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Death penalty overdue for reconsideration

More than five years ago, this newspaper called for the state legislature to revisit the value of Washington's death penalty.

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Ugandans protest dress, gay laws

A video clip has emerged in which a Ugandan Anglican priest reveals how anti-gay evangelical campaigners from the US have pushed Uganda to adopt an anti-homosexual law.

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No vote today on Medicaid expansion

The bills to fund private option Medicaid expansion have again been passed over in the House today.

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House Republicans Would Raise Small-Business Contract Goals

The federal goal for steering contracts to small businesses would rise from 23 percent to 25 percent of an agency's awards under legislation introduced on Wednesday by the chairman of the House Small Business Committee.

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Pressure mounts in Arizona anti-gay fight

Although Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is expected to veto the measure, both sides are ramping up pressure in the fight over legislation that opponents say encourages discrimination against gays and lesbians.

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New England fishing communities get disaster aid

Coastal New England states are getting $32.8 million in disaster relief funding for communities that have suffered severe economic losses due to declining fish populations.

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Christie jokes about pollsters at town hall

On the same day a new survey showed troubling signs for Chris Christie's possible 2016 White House prospects, the New Jersey governor cracked wise about polls.

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Republicans blast FDA monitoring of whistleblowers

Republican lawmakers blasted the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday for secretly monitoring the emails of agency scientists who went public with allegations that they were pressured to approve certain medical devices.

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Rand Paul places hold on surgeon general nominee Vivek Murthy, but...

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul placed a procedural hurdle in front of Dr. Vivek Murthy's confirmation as surgeon general Wednesday morning, citing his political activity for the Obama administration.

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Uganda Health Minister: Gays Will Still Get Care

Sexual Minorities Uganda program coordinator Pepe Julian Onziema speaks in an interview with The Associated Press in Kampala, Uganda.

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5Biden: 'I may be a white boy, but I can jump'

The vice president on Tuesday took some time out from a Black History Month event to talk up his basketball skills.

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A-10 Warthog budget cuts decision met with fierce criticism from lawmakers

The recent A-10 Warthog budget cuts decision proposed by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has ignited a political firestorm because the move means that the A-10 Warthog, an aircraft that's been a critical part of the U.S. military for decades, will be eliminated.

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Kansas innovative school districts selected

The districts were chosen Wednesday after submitting applications and making presentations to Gov. Sam Brownback, House Education Committee Chairwoman Kasha Kelley and Senate Education Committee Chairman Steve Abrams.

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Brookfield resident creates hands-on e-waste exhibit and earns highest Girl Scout honor

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast has awarded Brookfield resident and Girl Scout Allison Earl the highest honor in Girl Scouting-the Girl Scout Gold Award.

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Gov. Pence visits Shepherd Community Center

Indiana Governor Mike Pence thanks students for a hand-drawn picture of him while visiting the pre-school classes at Shepherd Community Center, 4107 E. Washington Street on Wednesday, February 26, 2014.

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In Benghazi, U.S. Intelligence Wasn't Focused On 'Homegrown Militants'

A vehicle inside the U.S. consulate compound in Benghazi is engulfed in flames after an attack on Sept.

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Army disqualifies 588 soldiers from sensitive positions after reviews

The Army has disqualified 588 soldiers as sexual assault counselors, recruiters and drill sergeants for infractions ranging from sexual assault to child abuse to drunken driving, USA TODAY has learned.

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Midday open thread: Volodymyr Parasiuk, 'wetbacks' and a canoe

A Republican Senate candidate argued to The Dallas Morning News editorial board earlier this month that ranchers in Texas should be allowed to shoot "wetbacks" trying to cross the border illegally.

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600-plus business groups press for immigration

The 636 groups said "failure to act is not an option" and implored Boehner to move on legislation to fix the immigration system.

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Ted Nugent says he learned his Nazi rhetoric from the DEA and Texas Rangers

I sometimes think that I am not alone in thinking that the evolvement of the internet and political blogs have served to give off or emit, odors or vapors of racism and ranging from many of the things we see today on-line and on television.

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Feds: Pa. ex-chief won't face more charges

The city's former police chief was sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to create an unauthorized slush fund, with a federal judge saying she was sending a message that the seriousness of his crimes... Pittsburgh's top federal prosecutor says the city's former police chief won't be charged in a scheme that helped his former friend land a ... (more)

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Judge sets Mexican trial for 'El Chapo' in motion

Asiana Airlines has been penalized $500,000 for failing to assist family members of passengers on a flight that crashed last year at San Francisco airport, federal transportation officials said Tuesday.

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Snyder gets into North Carolina US Senate race

A three-time candidate for statewide office in North Carolina has decided to add his name to the list of candidates seeking Democrat Kay Hagan's U.S. Senate seat this year.

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Tuesdai Critters: Confessions of a 'Nip Addict

A tag is a way to search for this diary. If someone is searching for "Barack Obama," is this a diary they'd be trying to find? Use a person's full name, without any title.

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US moves ahead on possible Afghan withdrawal

We're not bluffing, the Obama administration told Afghanistan on Tuesday in announcing for the first time it has started planning for the possible withdrawal of all U.S. troops by the end of the year if no security agreement is signed.

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Let's Move! at 4 years: What's changed?

First Lady Michelle Obama proposed new rules Tuesday that would limit the types of foods and beverages that can be advertised in schools.

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Appeals court reverses block of Jindal education policies

A ruling that blocked some of Governor Bobby Jindal's education policies has been reversed by a federal appeals court.

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Replay: Republican congressional debate for 19th District seat

Watch live streaming video from thenewspress at livestream.com Tweets about "#fl19" !function {var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName [0],p=/^http:/.test ?'http':'https';if ){js=d.createElement ;}} ; Mobile users: Click here to read updates from the debate and ... (more)

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Senator Proposes Striking Alaska's Same-Sex Marriage Ban

The minority leader of the Alaska Senate on Monday proposed to strike the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in the state, calling it a matter of conscience.

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Obama prepared for full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

U.S. President Barack Obama has told the Pentagon to prepare for the possibility that the United States will not leave behind any troops in Afghanistan after its troop drawdown at the end of this year, the White House said on Tuesday.

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Ala-based group finds decline in extremist groups

The liberal Southern Poverty Law Center says the number of hate groups dropped for the second year in a row in 2013, falling 7 percent to 939 last year.

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McConnell sees no hope for tax overhaul this year

The Kentucky Republican said Tuesday the object of overhauling the tax code should be making the nation more competitive, not raising more money for the government.

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600-plus business groups press for immigration

The 636 groups said "failure to act is not an option" and implored Boehner to move on legislation to fix the immigration system.

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Proposed Pentagon budget cuts would shrink Army, retire aircraft

The Army will shrink to its lowest troop levels since before World War II under a budget proposed Monday by the Obama administration that seeks to downsize the Pentagon from the wartime buildup of the last 13 years, and calls for retiring hundreds of aging aircraft and warships.

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Ryan: GOP needs to communicate its better ideas

Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin says the Republican Party can't just point out problems - it has to offer solutions.

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Fla. candidate speaks about crash that killed man

Florida Republican congressional hopeful David Jolly was not charged and not at fault in a 1989 car crash in which he fatally struck a pedestrian, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

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Mobile phone unlocking bill loses supporters

Some former supporters of a mobile phone unlocking bill in the U.S. Congress have withdrawn their support for the legislation because of a new provision added to it as it heads to the House of Representatives floor for a vote.

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Ed FitzGerald: Former President Bill Clinton 'has an open invitation' to assist campaign for governor

Former President Bill Clinton is hitting the 2014 campaign trail, and the so-called Big Dog is on Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald's wish list.

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APNewsBreak: Asiana Airlines penalized over crash

The city's former police chief was sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to create an unauthorized slush fund, with a federal judge saying she was sending a message that the seriousness of his crimes... Pittsburgh's top federal prosecutor says the city's former police chief won't be charged in a scheme that helped his former friend land a ... (more)

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Young liberal wisdom; IV - Republicans are only for the richest 1%

Liberals believe that Republicans are only for the richest 1% know nothing more of Republicans than they learned from Little Orphan Annie.

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Chamber of Commerce to House GOP: Time to act immigration reform

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is renewing its push for immigration reform, making the economic case for an overhaul of border control laws to pressure House Republicans to act on legislation this year.

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Texas Tea Party candidate Chris Mapp won't apologize for anti-immigrant racial slur

With every passing day, it looks less and less like incumbent Texas Sen. John Cornyn need worry about losing the GOP primary this coming March.

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AP source: Debbie Dingell to seek Mich. House seat

Democrat Debbie Dingell will run for the House seat currently held by her husband, John, who announced this week that he will retire after the longest congressional career in history, a Democratic official said Tuesday.

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Could Arizona lose Super Bowl over anti-gay bill?

With the clock ticking for Gov. Jan Brewer to veto, ignore or sign SB 1062, local business leaders are expressing fear that Super Bowl XLIX may be pulled from Arizona next year.

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Arizona bill's other outrage: Why anti-gay bigotry is just the beginning

It wouldn't be a new year if the scornful glare of the American public hadn't somehow found its way back to Arizona.

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Oklahoma House approves embryonic stem cell ban

Conducting certain types of embryonic stem cell research in Oklahoma would be a felony punishable by at least a year in prison under a bill that the Oklahoma House overwhelmingly approved on Tuesday.

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Ted Nugent says Obama's stoking a "power struggle between the different races"

After associating himself with Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott , NRA board member, rage-filled wingnut, and former musician Ted Nugent is defending himself after being criticized for calling President Obama a " subhuman mongrel " and for generally being a hateful and unpleasant person.

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I can't believe I'm doing this

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is the first mayor in recent Chicago history to take the Polar Plunge on behalf of the Special Olympics Chicago athletes - but Sneed hears only one candidate running for governor has chosen to dip his toes in the freezing water at North Avenue Beach on March 2. a- To wit: Neither Gov. Pat Quinn nor gubernatorial candidate Bruce ... (more)

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Indiana lawmakers draw closer to business tax deal

In both cases, lawmakers inserted key parts of their proposals into the other chamber's plan.

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IT Reform Act Heads to House Floor Tuesday

The House is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that would revamp how the government buys information technology systems in a bid to strengthen the oversight of projects like HealthCare.gov and make a single person responsible for such projects' success or failure.

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Fla. candidate speaks about crash that killed man

By JEFF BARNARD Associated Press For Cherie Lash Rhoades, an appeals hearing was her last chance to keep her small house on a tiny American Indian reservation in the high desert of northeastern... By JEFF BARNARD Associated Press The ousted leader of a small American Indian tribe in northeastern California wore a bulletproof vest to her first court ... (more)

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APNewsBreak: Asiana Airlines penalized over crash

By JEFF BARNARD Associated Press For Cherie Lash Rhoades, an appeals hearing was her last chance to keep her small house on a tiny American Indian reservation in the high desert of northeastern... By JEFF BARNARD Associated Press The ousted leader of a small American Indian tribe in northeastern California wore a bulletproof vest to her first court ... (more)

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600-plus business groups press for immigration

More than 600 business organizations, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Apple to McDonald's, have sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner pressing him to move on immigration legislation this year.

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Dems ramp up pressure on minimum wage

House Democratic leaders will announce at a presser tomorrow that they will file a discharge petition to try to force a House vote on the minimum wage hike, a Dem leadership aide tells me.

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UN calls on Uganda to repeal new homosexuality law

The UN chief Ban Ki-moon has called on Uganda to repeal a tough new law imposing life terms on homosexuals, warning it could fan violence and impede responses to HIV and AIDS.

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Changes to Louisiana teacher tenure laws discussed by Jindal administration, education...

Teachers line up to testify before the house committee over House Bill 974 during testimony at the state capital in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, March 14, 2012 as the House Education Committee holds hearings on Gov. Bobby Jindal's education reform package.

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Joe Biden: Hillary Clinton Will Not Affect My Decision To Run For President

Vice President Joe Biden discussed his rumored 2016 run for the White House on ABC's "The View" on Tuesday, denying the notion that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's decision to run would negate his own.

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Court rules for voucher, tenure laws in parish

A federal appeals court has reversed a district judge's order blocking some of Gov. Bobby Jindal's education policies in Tangipahoa Parish.

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Putin Shows His Iron-Fisted Hand

Eight people were sentenced in a Moscow court on Friday, February 21, to between two and a half and four years in prison.

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'Cashgate' audit - Malawi president should resign

Activists have denounced the signing of a law that discriminates against homosexuals in Uganda saying it "violates the right to non-discrimination and freedom of expression".

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House oversight panel demands documentation on Tar...

A House of Representatives committee with broad investigative jurisdiction has turned up the heat on Target Corp, demanding that the No.

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Obama, Boehner have 'constructive' meeting

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner met for an hour Tuesday, but did not strike any deals on such major items as immigration and the minimum wage.

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Senate GOP Leader McConnell says he sees no hope for tax reform this year; blames Democrats

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says he sees no hope for enactment of tax overhaul legislation this year, and blames the Democrats for trying to use the issue to raise revenue by $1 trillion.

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Barbara Walters To Joe Biden: Can I Kiss You?

The vice-president stopped by the daytime chatfest, and he brought along gifts for the co-hosts.

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AP Exclusive: Feds viewed state computers in health care as potential back door for hackers

In this Jan. 16, 2014 file photo, Teresa Fryer, Medicare's top cybersecurity official, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.

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Congressman: Northern California slaughterhouse under criminal investigation by feds

A congressman says federal officials have launched a criminal probe of a Northern California slaughterhouse that recently recalled more than 8.7 million pounds of beef.

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Amazon signs Norm Dicks for cloud help - MDMA hires Clayton Hall...

AMAZON SIGNS NORM DICKS FOR CLOUD HELP: The online retailer Amazon has hired Van Ness Feldman to lobby on federal IT acquisition reform and issues related to cloud computing usage by the federal government.

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Police: Man shot at posh NY wedding hall

Police say a man has been shot in the parking lot of a storied mansion-turned-wedding palace on New York's Long Island.

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Obama to act on Keystone in 'a couple of months'

Governors are quoting President Barack Obama as saying he expects to decide on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline in the next couple of months.

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Coburn, Inhofe earn Club for Growth praise

Both of Oklahoma's U.S. senators rank highly on a scorecard released by the conservative group Club for Growth.

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Want a larger U.S. military? Then finally pay for it

The New York Times reported Monday that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is has proposed cutting the U.S. Army from its wartime peak of 570,000 troops to as few as 440,000.

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Witt files paperwork for Arkansas' 4th district

Former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt has made his bid official for a south Arkansas congressional seat.

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Obama praises US Rep. Dingell's health care fight

President Barack Obama says retiring U.S. Rep. John Dingell's ongoing battle for affordable health care may be the long-serving Democrat's "most remarkable" accomplishment.

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Alaska National Guard members face accusations of sexual misconduct

A dozen members of the Alaska National Guard face charges of sexual misconduct in what members of the guard call a severe problem in the ranks.

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Democratic Congressional Candidates Callis, Gollin, Green Talk Climate Change, Fracking

The three Democrats running in Illinois' 13th Congressional district primary recently answered my questions about climate change and energy issues.

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John Dingell wants Congress to work together again. That so isna t going to happen.

In a speech announcing his retirement from Congress after 29 full terms , Michigan Rep. John Dingell made a plea for a bipartisan re-awakening from his colleagues.

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U.S. re-examining relationship with Uganda after anti-gay law

The Obama administration says it is reassessing its relationship with Uganda after that its president, Yoweri Museveni, signed into law a bill that toughens penalties against gays and defines some homosexual acts as crimes punishable by life in prison.

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Georgia Rep. Paul Broun, 'freedom fighter' for freedomy freedom

Georgia Republicans are doing everything in their power to hand their state's open Senate seat to the Democrats.

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This Supreme Court case is really about presidential power

The US Supreme Court is hearing a case this week that's ostensibly about the environment but many believe plays more into politics.

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3 Arizona Republican senators urge veto of bill

Three Republican Arizona state senators who voted for a bill allowing business owners with strongly held religious beliefs to refuse service to gays sent a letter to Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday urging her to veto the legislation.

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Denver submits bid for 2016 GOP convention

Denver on Monday formally submitted its bid to host the 2016 Republican National Convention, arguing that its success with the 2008 Democratic convention shows it can handle such a large event.

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Ron Paul: Leave Ukraine alone

Protesters occupying the main square in the capitol city, Kiev, clashed with police leaving many protesters and police dead and many more wounded.

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Want a Larger U.S. Military? Then Finally Pay for It

The New York Times reported Monday that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is has proposed cutting the U.S. Army from its wartime peak of 570,000 troops to as few as 440,000.

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Obama to announce two more manufacturing institutes

President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. prior to traveling to Toluca, Mexico to participate in the seventh trilateral North American Leaders Summit Meeting.

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State rep demands answers from DPH on pot-shop licensing

A lawmaker appointed to investigate how the state health department chose Massachusetts' medical marijuana dispensaries has fired off a list of questions to the agency's director, amid suspicions that some applicants lied or cashed in political favors to get the lucrative licenses.

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Obama says time right for state-fed partnership on jobs, wages

U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday he is "absolutely convinced" the time is right for a federal-state partnership on jobs, training, education and wages.

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The Dingell Era

From the snail's-eye view of the cyclically obsessed, John Dingell's announcement that he will retire from the House when his current term expires is just another sign - like the earlier retirement announcement of his old rival Henry Waxman - of a bad Democratic year.

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Is the Jebbie Bandwagon Gearing Up?

On CNN's Inside Politics yesterday, John King allowed as how he's hearing Jeb Bush is letting his money people know he has not ruled out a 2016 presidential campaign, in case they are approached by other potential candidates.

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Bobby Jindal elicits rebukes, spurs on-camera dispute during governors' White House presser

The nation's governors emerged from a meeting with President Barack Obama Monday claiming harmony, only to immediately break into an on-camera partisan feud in front of the West Wing.

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Tom Cotton makes bid official for US Senate

Cotton filed paperwork Monday to make official his bid challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor this year.

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Taco Bell Takes Aim At McDonald's With Breakfast

Egg McMuffin, meet the Waffle Taco. Taco Bell is readying for the launch of its national breakfast menu on March 27, with items such as the A.M. Crunchwrap designed to appeal to its fan base of younger men.

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Company recalls 16 varieties of cheese after death

Comedy actor, director and writer Harold Ramis, best known for his roles in movies such as "Ghostbusters" and "Stripes," died Monday at his suburban Chicago home after a four-year battle with an autoimmune disease, his... A person familiar with his plans says Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, the longest-serving congressman in U.S. history, will ... (more)

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Dingell, longest-serving congressman, to retire

Rep. John Dingell, a master legislative deal-maker and champion of the Detroit auto industry who is the longest-serving member of Congress in history, announced Monday that he won't seek another term.

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UAW's Challenge To Republican Political Interference Is About More than VW Vote

If a United States senator claims that a key manufacturing facility in his home state would lose a new product line if workers were to vote for a union, might the workers be less inclined to vote for the union? If legislative leaders in that state threaten to withhold tax incentives for future expansion of the manufacturing facility if a pro-union ... (more)

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Obama to make Keystone decision in next couple months

President Barack Obama will decide whether to go forward with the Keystone XL pipeline in the next couple months, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said on Monday.

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Kansas House panel adopts higher ed budgets

A House budget committee has accepted a subcommittee's recommendation to increasing spending for Kansas public higher education by about $44 million over the next two years.

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Debbie Dingell Expected to Run for Retiring Husband's Seat

Experts say Debbie Dingell, the wife of retiring Michigan Democratic Rep. John Dingell, will likely seek his longtime seat and continue the family's political dynasty in the state.

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Dingell is 'simply coming home'

Southgate -- U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the longest serving Congressman in history, made it official and announced Monday he would not seek re-election this fall.

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Running in Real Time: Georgia GOP Senate Primary Debate

Brenau University in Gainesville will be the site of Saturday night's debate of candidates vying for the Republican nomination to fill Georgia's open U.S. Senate seat later this year.

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Obama lauds Dingell

President Obama praised retiring U.S. Rep. John Dingell on Monday, saying the Michigan Democrat has "earned the distinction of being both the longest-serving Member of Congress in U.S. history and one of the most influential legislators of all time."

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Obama says Keystone decision couple of months away

President Obama told governors at a White House meeting on Monday that he expects to make his final decision on whether to approve the Keystone XL in the coming months, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin told reporters.

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Web exclusive: McFaul says Sochi games an 'achievement' for Putin

In an exclusive interview with CNN's Jake Tapper Monday, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul praised Vladimir Putin's handling of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, calling the games an "achievement" for the Russian leader's administration.

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Web exclusive: McFaul: 'I don't know' why Russia cracks down on Pussy Riot

In an exclusive interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on Monday, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said he doesn't quite understand Russian President Vladimir Putin's obsession with Pussy Riot.

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Massive veterans bill heading toward Senate vote

What has been characterized as the most sweeping veterans legislation in decades could reach the Senate floor for a vote as early as Tuesday.

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Senate Democrats try to revive pre-K pilot program

Senate Democrats are hoping for some help from the GOP to restore a state-funded pre-kindergarten pilot program endorsed by the Indiana House and supported by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

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Hagel cuts would reshape military after longest war

A scaled-back, modern U.S. military would cut the Army to its pre-World War II size and do away with the A-10 "Warthog" attack jet, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Monday in proposing a new budget to reflect the end of America's longest war.

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Governors erupt in partisan dispute at White House

The nation's governor's emerged from a meeting with President Barack Obama Monday claiming harmony, only to immediately break into an on-camera partisan feud in front of the West Wing.

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Obama looks to governors for help with economy

Stymied by a divided Congress, President Barack Obama appealed for help from the nation's governors Monday as he seeks to advance economic policies that stand little chance of winning passage on Capitol Hill.

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Whata s changed in Washington since John Dingell got elected in 1955? A lot.

Today, Michigan Rep. John Dingell announced that he was retiring from Congress after serving 29 terms and nearly 60 years.

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Climate case at Supreme Court looks at EPA's power

The Obama administration is squaring off at the Supreme Court with industry groups and Republican-led states over a small but important program aimed at limiting power-plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming.

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Primarily, the race for governor has just changed

Last week, a former Pittsburgh city councilman, a former two-time Pittsburgh mayoral candidate, a former state senator, a former two-time state auditor general, a former lieutenant-governor candidate and a former candidate for governor all jumped in.

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Holder: Congress should require companies to disclose data breaches

Attorney General Eric Holder is calling on Congress to require companies to more quickly alert customers when their personal information is put at risk in cyberbreaches.

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The Dalai Lama visits Santa Clara in last stop on Bay Area speaking tour

About 3,000 people filled the Berkeley Community Theatre on Sunday to see His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet speak about how to find happiness in life.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr's dirty little secret

NASCAR fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was, for many, a welcome arrival in victory circle at Daytona.

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Defense Department to cut Army to pre-WW II size

The Department of Defense plans to scale down the nation's Army to its pre-World War II size and do away with an entire class of Air Force attack jets in an attempt to cut military spending, which mushroomed after the attacks of September 11, 2001, according to reports.

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What's the secret to remembering dreams? Study offers hints

A new study has discovered that heightened blood flow activity within certain regions of the brain could help explain why some people remember their dreams and others don’t.

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Obama to make Keystone decision in next couple months

President Barack Obama will decide whether to go forward with the Keystone XL pipeline in the next couple months, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said on Monday.

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Four governors on the politics of pot

Four governors - two Republicans and two Democrats - indicated Sunday that their states would not be headed down the same road as Colorado and Washington in terms of legalizing recreational marijuana.

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Re: For Obama, A New Sense Of Purpose In Acting Alone

This week, President Barack Obama promoted tougher fuel efficiency standards for trucks.

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Michigan congressman wants to spend more federal dollars on children's programs

Flint Congressman Dan Kildee says it's time for the federal government to invest more in after school and youth employment programs.

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Wealth gap is widest in some affluent US cities

The gap between the wealthy and the poor is most extreme in several of the United States' most prosperous and largest cities.

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Wealth gap: A guide to what it is, why it matters

From the White House to the Vatican to the business elite in Davos, Switzerland, one issue keeps seizing the agenda: the growing gap between the very wealthy and everyone else.

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Americans grapple with income inequality

The wealthiest county in America is settled deep in 4 a.m. slumber when Neal Breen threads the mini-mansion subdivisions and snow-blanketed fairways on his way to open shop.

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Republican party split on display in Cave City

Around 400 gathered at the Cave City Convention Center for the annual Barren County Lincoln Day Dinner but this one was different from past dinners.

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Comer positioning with gubernatorial politicking

The roughly 400 Republicans at Saturday night's Barren County Lincoln Day Dinner here were primarily focused on the U.S. Senate race and Republican hopes to take over the state House of Representatives this fall.

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Mark Pryor Endorses Minimum Wage Hike in Arkansas

The initiative needs 62,507 signatures of registered votes by July 7 in order to appear on the ballot in November.

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Ukraine: Parliament chief assumes presidential powers, but president won't leave

A top Ukrainian opposition figure assumed presidential powers Sunday, plunging Ukraine into new uncertainty after a deadly political standoff - and boosting long-jailed Yulia Tymoshenko's chances of a return to power.

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5Obama is right: Democrats' 'meh' attitude toward midterms is a major problem

President Obama's speech at a Democratic Governors Association fundraiser in D.C. Thursday night contained a key pearl of political wisdom for his party: "We know how to win national elections, but all too often, it's during these midterms where we end up getting ourselves into trouble, because I guess we don't think it's sexy enough," Obama said.

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La.'s Landrieu looks for independent, GOP support

Democrat Mary Landrieu's quest for a fourth Senate term will turn on whether she can attract just enough support from independents and Republicans to win in this increasingly conservative state.

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Ukraine leadership points west as U.S. warns Russia against force

Ukraine's new interim president pledged to put the country back on course for European integration now that Moscow-backed Viktor Yanukovich had been ousted, while the United States warned Russia against sending in its forces.

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US Sen. Durbin lauds federal manufacturing grants

Top Illinois politicians say a multimillion-dollar institute bound for Chicago will be the nation's flagship research site for digital manufacturing.

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Jindal, O'Malley face off on which party's governors have it right

It was a battle of the governors on "Face the Nation" Sunday as Louisiana's Bobby Jindal and Maryland's Martin O'Malley faced off about whether Republican or Democratic governors had more success in their states.

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Face the Nation Transcripts February 23, 2014: McCain, Jindal, O'Malley

Below is a transcript of "Face the Nation" from February 23, 2014. Guests included Holly Williams, John McCain, Bobby Jindal, Martin O'Malley, Amy Walter, John Dickerson, Dan Balz, Jonathan Martin, Margaret Brennan and Bobby Ghosh.

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Ukraine parliament head takes presidential powers

A top opposition figure assumed presidential powers Sunday, plunging Ukraine into new uncertainty after a deadly political standoff - and boosting long-jailed Yulia Tymoshenko's chances of a return to power.

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Quinn and Durbin Boast $70M Grant

Illinois is boasting a $70 million boost from the U. S. Department of Defense, confirming it's won a competition against other regions to host a Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute at the Chicago-based UI Labs.

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La.'s Landrieu looks for independent, GOP support

In this Oct. 3, 2013, file photo Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., speaks at a news conference and Capitol Hill in Washington.

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Interesting gun manufacturing stats

Here are some interesting stats from ATF.gov. First, the number of pistols manufactured in 2011 equaled 2,598,133 .

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Kansas GOP candidate comes under fire for online commentary on gorey images

Republican Senate candidate Milton Wolf , who is hoping to unseat incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts in primary this year, came under fire Sunday for have made jokes online about gorey X-ray images of gunshot victims and other patients he posted on his Facebook page.

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5 tycoons who want to close the wealth gap 43 minutes

As the middle class struggles to make gains and President Barack Obama strives to shine a spotlight on the issue of income inequality, an unlikely constituency is looking for ways to close the nation's growing wealth gap: A handful of top U.S. business tycoons.

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High court climate case looks at EPA's power

Industry groups and Republican-led states are leading an attack at the Supreme Court against the Obama administration's sole means of trying to limit power-plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming.

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Congressman responds to infamous Mexican drug lord arrest

After being on the run for years, one of the world's most powerful drug lords has been caught.

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McCain: Putin Should Be Nervous About Ukraine Uprising

Russian President Vladimir Putin should feel a little nervous after the Ukrainian parliament ousted his ally, President Viktor Yanukovych, this weekend, says Sen. John McCain.

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Supporters of medical marijuana in Minn. have high hopes for upcoming legislative session

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Supporters of medical marijuana say the state's 2014 legislative session, which starts Tuesday, may be Minnesota's best chance in years to see pot legalized for medical use.

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Schumer Wants Restrictions on Data Collected from Car Technologies

Senator Charles Schumer is pushing for restrictions on what companies can do with data that they collect from a host of new technologies in your car.

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Governors' ideas on how to improve the economy tend to mirror Washington's partisan divides

The nation's governors sound every bit as divided as Washington lawmakers on how best to help the nation's economy.

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Christie to unveil NJ budget proposal

As Gov. Chris Christie prepares to announce his budget plan for the next fiscal year, the New Jersey forecast calls for a rise in tax revenues but also state financial obligations.

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Hartford Hosts "HIV Equal," Anti-Stigma and HIV Testing Initiative

On February 15, the popular anti-stigma social media campaign HIV Equal, founded by Norwalk-based World Health Clinicians , will join the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective for a day-long testing event and photo shoot as part of its national testing and anti-stigma initiative.

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5 tycoons who want to close the wealth gap 40 minutes

As the middle class struggles to make gains and President Barack Obama strives to shine a spotlight on the issue of income inequality, an unlikely constituency is looking for ways to close the nation's growing wealth gap: A handful of top U.S. business tycoons.

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Taking Disability Seriously

DON STEINBERG is the President and CEO of World Learning and former Deputy Administrator of USAID.

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Walker brushes off document release as 'old news'

Facing controversy back home over documents from a 2010 investigation, at the National Governors Association in Washington, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has decided the best defense is a good offense.

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Ukraine parliament head takes presidential powers

Officials investigating a carbon monoxide leak at a New York mall are concentrating on the heating system of a restaurant following the death of the eatery's 55-year-old manager and more than two dozen others... A faulty water heater flue pipe caused the carbon monoxide leak that killed a New York restaurant manager and sent more than two dozen ... (more)

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Susan Rice: No regrets on Benghazi involvement

In her first Sunday talk show appearance since her use of Benghazi "talking points" set off a political firestorm in 2012, National Security Adviser Susan Rice was asked point-blank whether she has any regrets about her involvement in informing the public of developments regarding the violence before, during and after the attacks on a U.S. post in ... (more)

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Dem Congressman Calls Cancer Survivor Whose Insurance was Killed by ObamaCare a Liar

Democratic Congressman Gary Peters voted for ObamaCare. That disastrous vote made life worse for a lot of people.

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Purity or Strategy: The Debate We Need To Have: Would you rather put up with a RINO, or a Democrat?

Last week, there was one of those mommy-and-daddy-are-fighting moments on Fox News as two powerhouse conservatives debated one of the most important issues facing the right.

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5 tycoons who want to close the wealth gap

John D. Rockefeller, Sr. was surrounded by state troopers and admirers as he attended church in Lakewood, N.J. In the early 21st century, members of the economic elite are looking for ways to reduce the nation's growing income inequality for a variety of reasons, from self-interest to pangs of conscience.

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George W. Bush launches program to help veterans transition from war

Former U.S. President George W. Bush on Sunday promoted a new initiative to help veterans transition back to civilian life and aid in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

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US Sen. Durbin lauds federal manufacturing grants

Top Illinois politicians say a multimillion-dollar institute bound for Chicago will be the nation's flagship research site for digital manufacturing.

http://ift.tt/1dkdESM

I hate to spoil the victory party but the right wing army in the war on women hasn't surrendered yet

The anti-abortion rights Susan B. Anthony List is planning a multimillion dollar election-year effort that is already training big money on several incumbent Democratic senators.

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Kansas candidate posted grisly images

A Kansas radiologist running for Senate posted grisly X-rays of patients who had been shot on his Facebook page and engaged in joking online banter about the images.

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Susan Rice says Russian move on Ukraine would be mistake

President Barack Obama's national security adviser said Sunday it would be a "grave mistake" for Russia to intervene militarily in Ukraine.

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4 governors weigh in on politics of pot

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Ukraine Parliament Moves Swiftly to Dismantle President’s Government

A day after President Viktor F. Yanukovych fled the Ukrainian capital and was removed from power by a unanimous vote in Parliament, lawmakers moved swiftly on Sunday to dismantle the remaining vestiges of his government by firing top cabinet members, including the foreign minister.

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Herhold: Mike Honda affected by changing of California's congressional guard

To me, the biggest argument for re-electing U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, D-San Jose, always has been that he is not Pete Stark.

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Group hoping to defeat McConnell in May primary opens Kentucky offices

In the back building of a plain-looking office complex off Hurstbourne Parkway, folks dispatched by FreedomWorks on Friday were setting up the guts of what they hope will be the center of the effort to unseat U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in the May GOP primary.

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exit-arrow-visit|article-5260444|mobile_home_category_body-1688|5

The nation's governors sound every bit as divided as Washington lawmakers on how best to help the nation's economy.

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exit-arrow-visit|article-5259871|mobile_home_category_body-1688|2

A top Ukrainian opposition figure assumed presidential powers Sunday, plunging Ukraine into new uncertainty after a deadly political standoff - and boosting long-jailed Yulia Tymoshenko's chances of a return to power.

http://ift.tt/1flY0Mh

Oklahoma Senate sending big-ticket bills to House

A separate plan to tap $40 million from the state's Unclaimed Property Fund to complete a long unfinished Native American museum in Oklahoma City also is moving quickly through the Senate, along with a tax-cut bill that mirrors Gov. Mary Fallin's call for a .25 percent reduction to the top personal rate.

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LA-Gov: This Race May (or May Not) Get Interesting...

Up until this week, any smart gambler would have been giving generous odds on a two-term David Vitter governorship in Louisiana.

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Senate candidates weigh in on Arctic issues

In the lead-up to this year's elections, The Associated Press plans to publish an occasional list featuring the positions of the highest-profile Alaska U.S. Senate candidates on different issues.

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GUS -- Saturday 2.22.14

GUS is a community support diary for Kossacks in the midst of quitting smoking. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated.

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Flags at military bases must be American made

Here's a Stars and Stripes shocker: Prior to Friday, flags bought by the Department of Defense weren't necessarily 100% American made.

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'Birther' to run for California attorney general

A Southern California woman who's filed repeated "birther" lawsuits challenging Barack Obama's right to be president says she'll run for a high state office.

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Fellow GOP Governors Defend Christie

Fellow Republican governors said Saturday they'd welcome embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to their states to campaign this year, dismissing the idea that the scandal over bridge lane closings last year would keep him off the campaign trail.

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Wis. governor: Released documents are 'old news'

Melvin Morris says he fell to his knees in shock when the Army told him he'd be getting a call from President Barack Obama to discuss the Medal of Honor he would be receiving for his actions in Vietnam.

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China hits out at Dalai Lama's meeting with Obama

PRESIDENT Barack Obama met the Dalai Lama at the White House last night despite stern objections from China, which warned the meeting would "inflict grave damages" on its relationships with the United States.

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Hillary Clinton is too old for what?

Despite couching his thoughts with a mention that if Clinton were to run, she would be the same age as Ronald Reagan when he was first elected president, 69, he did venture over the sexism line.

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Ohio officials urge support for flood control

Ohio's U.S. senators and a congressman are again urging the Army Corps of Engineers to support federally-funded flood control along the Blanchard River in northwest Ohio.

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Gov. Patrick to attend governors' meeting in DC

On Sunday, Patrick is scheduled to participate in an education and workforce committee, including meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to discuss early childhood education issues.

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GOP highlights Affordable Care Act in weekly address

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US Cheers Tymoshenko's Release, Hopes Ukraine Is on Peaceful Path

The United States welcomed the latest political developments in Ukraine Saturday and said former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko's release from prison was particularly gratifying.

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Ignoring China's protest, Obama hosts Dalai Lama

President Barack Obama granted an audience to Tibet's Dalai Lama over the strong objections from China that the U.S. was meddling it its affairs.

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Obama acting alone

This week, President Barack Obama promoted tougher fuel efficiency standards for trucks.

http://ift.tt/MjwtOF

Cuts may be in store for Medicare Advantage plans

Cuts are on the table next year for Medicare Advantage plans, the Obama administration said Friday.

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U.S. flags at military bases must be 100% American-made

Here's a Stars and Stripes shocker: Prior to Friday, flags bought by the Department of Defense weren't necessarily 100% American made.

http://ift.tt/1p8LsKQ

Cellphone calls on planes? Don't ask feds

It looks like the government is more conflicted about cellphones on planes than most travelers.

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Mexico's Sinaloa drug chief arrested

The head of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel who was the world's most powerful drug lord was captured overnight by U.S. and Mexican authorities at a condominium in Mazatlan, Mexico, The Associated Press learned Saturday, ending a bloody decades-long career that terrorized swaths of the country.

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AP Exclusive: Shutdown hurt 37,000 immigrant cases

Melvin Morris says he fell to his knees in shock when the Army told him he'd be getting a call from President Barack Obama to discuss the Medal of Honor he would be receiving for his actions in Vietnam.

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AP Newsbreak: Internal BLM memo shows mustang woes

In this June 5, 2013, file photo, horses stand behind a fence at the Bureau of Land Management's Palomino Valley holding facility in Palomino Valley, Nev.

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visit|article-5258253|mobile_home_category_body-6368|1Rural lawmakers ...

They're an endangered species in many state legislatures as more Americans move to urban centers or suburban cities: the rural lawmaker who knows what it's like to care for a herd, plant a crop or drive on gravel roads.

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Venezuelan leader challenges Obama to talks

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged Barack Obama to "accept the challenge" and hold direct talks, a surprise overture made after days of accusing Washington of plotting his overthrow.

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Gov. Fallin: Governors "don't have the luxury of inaction"

Gov. Mary Fallin, R-Okla., contrasts the cooperative problem solving at the state level with the dysfunction and gridlock in Washington, D.C.

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GOP highlights Affordable Care Act in weekly address

If there were any doubts left that running against the Affordable Care Act is the GOP's strategy in 2014, the president's signature healthcare law was again the message of the GOP's weekly address.

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Mass. congress members stockpiling campaign cash

Members of Massachusetts' all-Democratic congressional delegation are stockpiling campaign cash as they head into another election year, with many relying heavily on contributions from political action committees.

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'Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary of War,' by Robert M. Gates

''Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War" by Robert M. Gates, who served as secretary of defense under both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, has two advantages and one disadvantage, compared with other "insider" books in that genre.

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Chuck Fleischmann-Weston Wamp rematch a possibility

NASHVILLE -- It's probably not a bad idea for Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann to crank up his 2014 re-election campaign, as he plans to do Thursday with his first major Chattanooga fundraiser.

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Governor Quinn taps a 'hot' commodity, Bill Hyers, chief strategist for governor

A day after the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the state's marriage equality bill into law.

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Nuke test scores fell flat during alleged cheating

Last summer, when dozens of nuclear missile officers allegedly cheated on exams, test scores were among the lowest of the year, according to Air Force records obtained by The Associated Press.

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Tom DeLay: God 'Wrote the Constitution'

MySanAntonio.Com: God must have had one heck of a powdered wig, or former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay would have made a lousy history teacher.

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NJ's Christie keeps low profile as Dems attack

Moving cautiously to repair his image, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is maintaining a low profile this weekend as the nation's governors gather in Washington.

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Why Matt Bevin Has Fizzled

SEPTEMBER 04: Matt Bevin, Republican Senate candidate from Kentucky, is interviewed in Roll Call offices.

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Okla. Senate sending big-ticket bills to House

The Oklahoma Senate wasted no time this legislative session sending some big-ticket items to the 101-member House , including a $160 million bond proposal to improve the Capitol and a bill to completely overhaul the retirement system for new public workers.

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Medicare Advantage Plans May Face Cuts

Cuts are on the table next year for Medicare Advantage plans, the Obama administration says.

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Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe marks 90 years

Melvin Morris says he fell to his knees in shock when the Army told him he'd be getting a call from President Barack Obama to discuss the Medal of Honor he would be receiving for his actions in Vietnam.

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Blast hits army checkpoint in northeastern Lebanon

Melvin Morris says he fell to his knees in shock when the Army told him he'd be getting a call from President Barack Obama to discuss the Medal of Honor he would be receiving for his actions in Vietnam.

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Mixed signals over in-flight use of cellphones

This Oct. 31, 2013 file photo shows a plane passenger checking her cell phone before a flight in Boston.

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At Winter Olympics, an X Games breaks out

Melvin Morris says he fell to his knees in shock when the Army told him he'd be getting a call from President Barack Obama to discuss the Medal of Honor he would be receiving for his actions in Vietnam.

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Ukraine protesters take Kiev; president says coup

Melvin Morris says he fell to his knees in shock when the Army told him he'd be getting a call from President Barack Obama to discuss the Medal of Honor he would be receiving for his actions in Vietnam.

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Rural lawmakers struggle to make themselves heard

In this Jan. 22, 2014 photo, Colorado state representative Jerry Sonnenberg talks with a colleague before the start of an agriculture committee meeting at the Capitol, in Denver.

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Discrimination and the Medal of Honor

Picture a top-flight Jewish high school student applying to Harvard in the 1920s.

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U.S. flags at military bases must be 100% American-made

Here's a Stars and Stripes shocker: Prior to Friday, flags bought by the Department of Defense weren't necessarily 100% American made.

http://ift.tt/1l9k532

99th Anniv. Commemoration Of The Armenian Genocide in Times Square

PRESS RELEASE April 24 NYC Email: April24NYC@gmail.com Web: http://ift.tt/1hatoMl 99h ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN TIMES SQUARE SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2014 2-4 PM HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY WILL ALSO BE HONORED NY, NY-- On Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 2-4 pm, thousands of devoted Armenian-Americans and their friends ... (more)

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The 2008 FOMC Laugh Track: Gallows Humor at the Federal Reserve

Federal Reserve policy meetings typically feature 19 central bank officials sitting around a table for a day or two, discussing the state of the economy at great length.

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Relax, Everybody; Thanks to Unilateral Executive Actions, Obama and...

An early-morning report by Julie Pace at the Associated Press, aka the Administration's Press , definitely deserves space in the "You Can't Make This Up" file.

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In DC, nation's governors bash DC

Top officials of the National Governors Association expressed frustration Saturday with how the nation's capital operates -- as they launched a three-day quest for more money and other help from Washington lawmakers.

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Governors offer bipartisan disdain for D.C. dysfunction

After a year of Washington politics defined more by gridlock than by progress, the nation's governors arrived in D.C. this weekend for their annual conference with a timely message for the federal government: Get it together.

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AP Newsbreak: Internal BLM memo shows mustang woes

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Tough talking Tom Cotton puts finger to wind on minimum wage increase in state

COUNT MARK PRYOR IN: The senator backs group minimum wage proposal. Opponent Tom Cotton? The once bitter foe of minimum wage legislation is now thinking about it, at least on the Arkansas level.

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Obama meets with Dalai Lama; visit rankles China

President Barack Obama met with the Dalai Lama at the White House Friday over the stern objection of China, which warned the meeting would "inflict grave damages" on the U.S. relationship with the Asian nation.

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Inslee weighing minimum wage options for state workers, contractors

Gov. Jay Inslee is considering ways he could raise the minimum wage for state employees even as legislation to raise pay for all Washington workers is stalling in the Legislature.

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Governor Inslee focused on education, opportunity

After meeting with President Barack Obama , Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says he is even more focused on increasing opportunities for working Americans.

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Gov. Robert Bentley plans to sign legislation restricting teens' use of tanning salons

The Alabama Legislature gave final approval to a bill Thursday that sets limits on the use by teens.

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Pence pushes preschool funding amid cost concerns

A plan to use state funds to pay for children of low-income families to attend preschool is drawing questions from Indiana lawmakers concerned about the cost.

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Venezuela deploys paratroopers after more protests

The Venezuelan government ordered paratroopers Thursday to a border city where growing student protests began over two weeks ago, with President Nicolas Maduro angrily rejecting U.S. calls for dialogue.

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Judge issues written order invalidating new lethal injection law

Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen today issued his written opinion on a decision he'd announced earlier from the bench that struck down a new Arkansas law on lethal injectio n as an unconstitutional delegation of power to the Correction Department.

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Lance Armstrong case back in court over bonuses

An eviction hearing at an American Indian tribal headquarters in Northern California turned deadly as a woman who once served as a tribal leader allegedly opened fire, killing four people and critically wounding... The mother of a woman who was shot to death during an eviction meeting at the headquarters of a California Indian tribe says her ... (more)

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Pink joins lineup of pop artists on the Oscars

An eviction hearing at an American Indian tribal headquarters in Northern California turned deadly as a woman who once served as a tribal leader allegedly opened fire, killing four people and critically wounding... The mother of a woman who was shot to death during an eviction meeting at the headquarters of a California Indian tribe says her ... (more)

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Pallone, Army Corps to discuss Keansburg dune project

Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. and Colonel Paul Owen, commander of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will host a meeting Monday about the local beach replenishment project.

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No Dogs or Lawmakers Allowed!: Ariz. Pizzeria Protests Anti-Gay Bill

The Arizona Legislature approved a bill Thursday that allows businesses to deny service to the LGBT community if they cite their religious beliefs.

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Nugent apologizes for 'subhuman mongrel' remark

Ted Nugent has apologized for calling President Barack Obama a "subhuman mongrel," attempting to defuse a political flap engulfing Texas' governor's race.

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CT: Blumenthal Presses Metro-North Officials to Act Quickly

With new Metro-North President Joseph Giulietti and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Thomas Prendergast standing nearby, Blumenthal, D-Conn., said management needs to move more quickly even than it agreed to do in a meeting with Gov... Feb. 21--NEW HAVEN -- U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal pressured Metro-North on Thursday to take actions ... (more)

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Congress eyes ESA improvements

If you were a visitor from outer space touching down in the United States for the first time, you might think that the animal kingdom was waging war on the human species.

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CA: U.S. to Provide $670M for Downtown Light-Rail Link

A major downtown project aimed at closing one of the most frustrating gaps in Los Angeles' rapidly expanding rail network moved a step closer to reality Thursday when federal officials signed an agreement to provide $670 million in funding.

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In Support Of Extending SC Runoff Elections

We are of several minds regarding a recent effort to extend South Carolina's partisan runoff elections from two weeks to sixty days .

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White House Readies Sanctions Against Ukraine

The Obama administration is putting together a package of sanctions the president could put in place as soon as Thursday night, but more likely Friday, ABC News has learned.

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Democratic Governors Back Obama On Minimum Wage, Blast Republicans

The nation's Democratic governors expressed support Friday for President Barack Obama's efforts to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per month, while criticizing the GOP's focus on social issues.

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President Obama: Midterm Elections Aren't - Sexy'

President Obama rallied Democratic governors in Washington, D.C., Thursday, telling them to focus on the mid-term elections, even though they aren't as "sexy" as a presidential campaign.

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Kentucky Gay Marriage Issue Flares In Senate Race

A Republican Senate candidate in Kentucky said that same-sex marriage could lead to a parent claiming marriage to his or her child to gain tax benefits and other privileges.

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Increased disclosure? Or an obstacle for EPA?

Should the government have to provide the data underlying a scientific report that it has used to support a regulation? Or would increasing the required burden of proof moot policymaking and expose participants' private data? Environmental Protection Agency regulations have brought this issue from the abstract to the halls of Congress, where ... (more)

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Davis calls for shorter Kansas legislative session

House Minority Leader Paul Davis, a Lawrence Democrat who's challenging Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's re-election this year, said the shorter session would at least save taxpayers money.

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