Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Obama urges Putin in phone call: De-escalate crisis in Ukraine
President Obama aimed stern warnings and temporarily toothless sanctions at Russia on Thursday, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease the crisis in Ukraine and condemning a proposed referendum in Crimea that would allow the contested region to join Moscow. Published March 6, 2014
Obama slaps Putin with sanctions, restrictions on visas
President Obama on Thursday renewed his call for Russia to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine by allowing independent monitors and moving toward free elections in May. Published March 6, 2014
Undaunted, Obama continues minimum-wage push
Even with dissension in his own ranks and in the face of a damning report showing the economic damage of a higher minimum wage, President Obama on Wednesday continued to push the issue and made clear it’ll be a political weapon for Democrats heading into the fall midterm elections. Published March 5, 2014
U.S. Lawmakers see exports of natural gas as a way to help Ukraine
A growing chorus of lawmakers Tuesday urged President Obama to fully tap America's vast supply of natural gas and use it as powerful leverage against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Published March 4, 2014
Ukraine deeply vulnerable to Russian energy threats — report
Abundant supplies of U.S. natural gas have reshaped global energy markets, but countries such as Ukraine remain beholden to Russian fuel and, as a result, face serious economic and security risks, a new report shows. Published March 4, 2014
Obama budget likely to be political document
The budget President Obama will release Tuesday bows more to political realities than it does to the government's fiscal picture, as the White House looks to do no harm to fellow Democrats in the run-up to November's elections. Published March 3, 2014
Kerry: All options on the table to respond to Russian invasion of Ukraine
As Russia ignores international warnings and mounts a full takeover of Ukraine's strategic region of Crimea, White House officials and U.S. lawmakers struggled Sunday with how to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin's defiant aggression. Published March 2, 2014
Putin brushes off U.S. threats, gets permission to use military in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday ignored U.S. warnings to stay of Ukraine, asking for and receiving authority from his parliament to use military forces in Ukraine's strategic region of Crimea. Published March 1, 2014
Obama touts executive actions with pitch to ‘work together’
In what's become a recurring theme, the weekly addresses of President Obama and congressional Republicans offered a preview of the two sides' political strategies heading into this fall's midterm elections. Published March 1, 2014
Obama declares ‘happy hour’ with Democrats after dire warning on Ukraine
"Well, it's Friday. It's after 5 o'clock. So, this is now officially happy hour with the Democratic party," the president told his cohorts. "I can do that. It is an executive action. I have the authority." Published February 28, 2014
Obama: ‘There will be costs’ for Russian military intervention in Ukraine
President Obama on Friday afternoon put Russia on notice that any military action inside of Ukraine will carry "costs," promising the U.S. and its allies in the international community will not allow Moscow to violate the sovereignty of its neighbor. Published February 28, 2014
Carney: I’m a fan of George W. Bush’s artwork
George W. Bush has a fan in the Obama White House — at least when it comes to the former president's newest hobby. Published February 28, 2014
White House warns Russia again on Ukraine
The Obama administration on Friday told Russia not to cross a “line” in Ukraine, though officials wouldn't speculate about what the U.S. will do if Moscow disregards the warning. Published February 28, 2014
Obama to announce $400 million in private-sector technology grants
President Obama on Friday will announce $400 million in private-sector dollars to improve technology in America's classrooms, administration officials said. Published February 28, 2014
Trayvon Martin’s parents join Obama for launch of minority initiative
Two years and a day after their son's death, the parents of Trayvon Martin visited the White House on Thursday and were in the audience as President Obama announced a new initiative designed to keep young minority men on the right path. Published February 27, 2014
Obama launches ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ initiative to help minority boys
In the type of address many in the black community have been waiting for, President Obama on Thursday said the nation cannot and should not accept poorer schools, unsafe communities and a lack of role models for young men of color and established a new initiative to confront those problems. Published February 27, 2014
Obama hasn’t tried electronic cigarettes, White House says
President Obama has admitted to smoking weed and cigarettes in years past, but he's never puffed on an electronic cigarette. Published February 27, 2014
White House to Putin: ‘Avoid provocative actions’ in Ukraine
With Russia exerting its influence over parts of Ukraine, the White House on Thursday issued a stern admonition to Moscow to refrain from "provocative actions" that could plunge the region into deeper chaos. Published February 27, 2014
Michelle Obama touts ‘label of the future’ for foods
Having already revamped school lunch menus, first lady Michelle Obama on Thursday again embraced her role as the nation's top healthy eating advocate and boldly proclaimed that "the label of future" will help consumers pick the right foods. Published February 27, 2014
Mahmoud Abbas to meet with Obama next month
Two weeks after he welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, President Obama will meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the administration announced Thursday. Published February 27, 2014
