Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Obama says he prefers results, not ‘photo ops’
Images of presidents at the Berlin Wall, ground zero in New York and, more recently, the New Jersey boardwalk devastated by Superstorm Sandy often are more important than words, specialists say, and aid commanders in chief in being seen as true leaders dedicated to comforting victims — rallying the nation following a tragedy or confronting crises. Published July 13, 2014
Obama’s ‘blank check’ rejected as border solution
Not even a week after it was offered, President Obama's $3.7 billion plan to deal with the growing crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border appears all but dead, with Republican lawmakers Sunday decrying the administration's "blank check" proposal and instead calling for a more targeted response centered on greater border security. Published July 13, 2014
Iranian foreign minister: ‘We don’t see any benefit in Iran developing a nuclear weapon’
A top Iranian official says his country is not seeking a nuclear weapon and is so much "stronger" than its neighbors and potential foes that nuclear bombs simply aren't necessary. Published July 13, 2014
‘Be a leader’ — Perry tells Obama to confront border crisis
Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Sunday called on President Obama to "be a leader" and stop blaming House Republicans or anyone else for the flood of unaccompanied children streaming across the U.S.-Mexico border. Published July 13, 2014
Eric Holder on Palin: ‘She wasn’t a particularly good vice presidential candidate’
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. unloaded on Sarah Palin on Sunday, saying the former Alaska governor was a poor choice to be her party's vice presidential nominee in 2008 and has no right to call for President Obama's impeachment. Published July 13, 2014
GOP Senate candidate Joni Ernst blasts ‘liberals,’ then deploys for National Guard duty
Lt. Col. Joni Ernst on Saturday blasted Obamacare and out-of-control government spending just hours before she deployed for two weeks of duty with the Iowa National Guard. Published July 12, 2014
Obama calls GOP lawsuit over executive overreach a ‘political stunt’
President Obama on Saturday unloaded on House Republicans' plan to sue him for executive overreach, calling the move 'a political stunt' and a waste of time and money. Published July 12, 2014
GOP to sue Obama first over health care employer mandate
House Republicans announced Thursday that their first attempt to sue President Obama for breaching the limits of his executive power will be over his decision to exempt businesses from his health care law's employer mandate. Published July 10, 2014
Obama calls Netanyahu, says U.S. willing to negotiate Israel cease-fire
As hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians continue, President Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and expressed concern about 'further escalation' of the conflict. Published July 10, 2014
Obama invokes Reagan while prodding GOP on immigration reform
President Obama on Thursday invoked the late Ronald Reagan in pushing Republicans to support comprehensive immigration reform. Published July 10, 2014
Obama blasts GOP, ignores immigration crisis in Texas speech
President Obama on Thursday had plenty to say about how he believes the Republican party is blocking prosperity and economic growth, but said virtually nothing about the humanitarian crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, less than 300 miles from the very spot where the president spoke. Published July 10, 2014
Obama has worked around Congress more than 40 times this year, promises more to come
Since declaring 2014 to be a "year of action," President Obama has taken more than 40 executive actions, bypassing Congress on economic matters, efforts to reduce U.S. carbon emissions, plans to make higher education more affordable and on a host of other issues. Published July 10, 2014
A series of missteps steers Obama’s trip off course
President Obama escaped Washington this week to mingle with average Americans and raise money for Democrats, but the purpose of his trip has been lost in a haze of political headaches. Published July 10, 2014
Obama defends failure to visit border
President Obama on Wednesday night strongly defended his decision not to visit the U.S.-Mexico border while on a visit to Texas this week, saying such a move would represent "theater" and "photo ops" rather than a genuine effort to address the growing crisis along the country's southern boundary. Published July 9, 2014
In Texas, Obama to address border crisis
President Obama, under fire for not visiting the U.S.-Mexico border while in Texas, will address the "urgent humanitarian situation" along the boundary in a speech Wednesday, the White House announced. Published July 9, 2014
On anniversary of journalist’s death, White House chastises Russia
Ten years after investigative journalist Paul Klebnikov was murdered in Moscow, the Obama administration on Wednesday called on Russia to protect reporters working within its borders. Published July 9, 2014
Obama bests Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper in pool match
As part of a broader effort to connect with average Americans, President Obama drank beer and played pool at a brewpub in downtown Denver. Published July 9, 2014
Hillary Clinton must distance Bill, Obama in 2016
If she runs for president, Hillary Rodham Clinton may find herself not only having to distance herself from President Obama, but she will also have to put some space between herself and her own husband, former President Bill Clinton, on everything from marijuana policy to immigration. Published July 8, 2014
Obama seeks to salvage Afghan election
Amid reports of widespread fraud and the possibility the entire Afghan presidential election will be delegitimized, President Obama on Tuesday called candidate Abdullah Abdullah and urged him to remain involved in the electoral process, rather than declare himself the winner and potentially throw the nation into chaos. Published July 8, 2014
White House dodges questions on claims U.S. is still spying on Germany
The Obama administration wouldn't comment Monday on claims that a German intelligence employee arrested last week was spying for the U.S. Published July 7, 2014
