Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Obama: Americans will want ‘that new car smell’ in 2016
President Obama this weekend gave a nod to the fact that many Americans will be sick of him by 2016, saying voters understandably will want "that new car smell" in their next batch of White House candidates. Published November 23, 2014
Elizabeth Warren favored almost 2-to-1 to Hillary Clinton by progressives: poll
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is by far the most popular would-be presidential candidate among progressives in the Democratic party, boasting a nearly two-to-one advantage over presumed frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton, a new poll shows. Published November 20, 2014
Jeb Bush ready for fight on Common Core
Former Florida Gov. and rumored 2016 White House candidate Jeb Bush said Thursday that the lack of quality education is the central reason for income inequality and other economic ills in the U.S. today. Published November 20, 2014
Keystone XL pipeline: Senate Democrats filibuster, stiff Mary Landrieu for green lobby
Senate Democrats filibustered the Keystone XL pipeline on Tuesday, in a vote that reverberated from Louisiana, where a key senator's career is now likely doomed, to the broader national Democratic Party, where environmentalists have emerged triumphant in a divisive internal battle with labor unions. Published November 18, 2014
White House taunts GOP on climate change: ‘I don’t believe they can stop us’
The White House on Monday essentially dared Republicans to try and stop President Obama's climate-change agenda, with officials bragging that even after the GOP takes control of the Senate in January, there is nothing that can be done to stop a host of controversial new actions. Published November 17, 2014
Mitt Romney: U.S. must be open to ground troops to fight Islamic State
Mitt Romney said Sunday he doesn't want to see U.S. ground troops join the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, but the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential candidate argued that option cannot be ruled out. Published November 16, 2014
Sylvia Burwell: HealthCare.gov working well, 100,000 signed up this weekend
About 100,000 Americans have visited HealthCare.gov since Saturday and submitted new applications for health insurance coverage, Health and Human Service Secretary Sylvia Burwell said Sunday. Published November 16, 2014
Koalas steal the show at G20 summit
At the G20 summit in Australia this weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin clashed with other world leaders over Moscow's aggression against Ukraine — but Mr. Putin and his counterparts seemed to bond over the cuteness of Koala bears. Published November 16, 2014
Dick Durbin: Elizabeth Warren a ‘great spokesman’ for Democrats
Sen. Elizabeth Warren long has been a hero on the progressive left, but her popularity among the Democratic Party establishment is growing rapidly. Published November 16, 2014
John Thune: Keystone pipeline vote ‘cynical,’ meant to aid Mary Landrieu’s re-election
With the Senate set to vote on legislation approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a Republican senator says the move is merely a "cynical attempt" to save the seat of an embattled Democrat. Published November 16, 2014
Peter Kassig beheaded in Islamic State video; American aid worker latest murder of Westerner
The Islamic State's latest brutal murder of a Westerner — the fifth in three months — has added new fuel to the debate over President Obama's strategy for dealing with the powerful terrorist group. Published November 16, 2014
Obama to pledge $3B to global climate fund: Report
As the G20 summit kicks off in Australia, President Obama reportedly will offer $3 billion to an international climate fund — a move that immediately sparked a backlash from congressional Republicans and energy industry groups. Published November 14, 2014
Keystone pipeline: Obama bashes project while in Myanmar
In a direct shot at lawmakers set to vote on the Keystone XL oil pipeline, President Obama bashed the project on Friday and said it will have no impact on U.S. gas prices and won't create as many as jobs as its supporters say. Published November 14, 2014
Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar opposition leader, jabs Obama on midterm election results
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi tweaked President Obama during a Friday press conference over the drubbing his party took at the polls last week. Published November 14, 2014
Obama gets tough on Myanmar, urges fair elections and political reforms
President Obama on Friday delivered a stern message to Myanmar ahead of pivotal elections next year, saying the eyes of the U.S. will be on the Southeast Asian nation as its people head to the polls. Published November 14, 2014
Obama’s China trip not yet a success: critics
The White House touted a "breakthrough" and steps forward on key trade deals during President Obama's stay in Asia this week, but the most prized, consequential agreements the U.S. is seeking have yet to be finalized. Published November 13, 2014
Obama: Myanmar has taken steps ‘backward’ on road to political reform
On his second trip to Myanmar in as many years, President Obama said Thursday that the Southeast Asian nation is in danger of heading "backward" on its road to political, economic and social reform. Published November 13, 2014
U.S., India end dispute on food security, clearing way for major trade deal
The U.S. and India agreed Thursday to end a dispute over food security and subsidies, potentially clearing the way for a major new multilateral trade deal. Published November 13, 2014
Obama climate change deal with China a stretch, analysts say
President Obama's climate deal with China could be derailed easily, analysts say, with the federal government's legal authority to limit emissions very much in doubt, questions about the auto industry's ability to meet fuel economy requirements and a brutal political fight with Republicans and the fossil fuels industry awaiting the administration as it implements a surprise plan. Published November 12, 2014
Obama, Vladimir Putin battle for China business alliance in Beijing
Behind the scenes in Beijing this week, the U.S. and Russia are engaging in a high-stakes power struggle as the two former Cold War foes vie to become the No. 1 economic ally of rising superpower China. Published November 11, 2014
