Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Roundtable to Obama: ‘Start a business’ to aid economy
President Obama has vowed to take a variety of unilateral actions in his second term to boost the economy, but one of the leading voices in the American business community said Wednesday that the president, if he truly wants to help jump-start the economy, should start his own business. Published January 15, 2014
Obama mixes commemorative proclamations and presidential plugs
President Obama has broken new ground by using the traditionally bland, apolitical proclamations as a public relations tools. Published January 14, 2014
Obama praises Spain and its fiscal gain
With the U.S. still struggling to fully rebound from the Great Recession, President Obama on Monday lauded Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for the progress he's made in stabilizing his country's economy and shepherding Spain to back-to-back quarters of fiscal growth. Published January 13, 2014
Obama dodges questions on Gates’ book
President Obama on Monday wouldn't wade into the firestorm created by Robert Gates' book and instead lauded the former defense secretary's service. Published January 13, 2014
White House pushes back against Gates allegations
The Obama administration pushed back Monday against former Defense Secretary Robert Gates' allegations that the president lacks "passion" when it comes to most military matters. Published January 13, 2014
Joe Biden praises the late Ariel Sharon at memorial service in Israel
President Obama may have come off as lukewarm in his praise for the late Ariel Sharon, but Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Monday praised the late Israeli prime minister in a 17-minute eulogy that included quotations from Shakespeare, the Book of Genesis and Irish novelist James Joyce. Published January 13, 2014
Republicans praise handling of ‘Bridgegate’ scandal by N.J. governor Chris Christie
Leading Republicans on Sunday rushed to the defense of embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as he contends with the so-called Bridgegate scandal that threatens to undermine his 2016 White House hopes. Published January 12, 2014
Parties never more divided on fighting ‘war on poverty’
The debate over how best to care for the poor has long divided Republicans and Democrats, but 50 years after President Johnson launched the "war on poverty," the differences have never been more clear cut. Published January 12, 2014
Doubts rise on Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran; Appeasement or deterent?
A preliminary deal designed to halt Iran's nuclear program will take effect next week, the White House said Sunday, but some U.S. lawmakers and analysts have little faith that the Middle Eastern nation will comply. Published January 12, 2014
N.J. lawmaker: Christie’s ‘Bridgegate’ denials not credible
A New Jersey lawmaker leading the investigation into the so-called "Bridgegate" scandal said Sunday that Gov. Chris Christie's claim to have known nothing about September lane closures on the George Washington Bridge simply isn't believable. Published January 12, 2014
McCain, Rubio: Gates should have waited to publish book
A pair of Republican senators said Sunday that former Defense Secretary Robert Gates should've waited to publish his bombshell book that contains scathing critiques of President Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden and others within the administration. Published January 12, 2014
Giuliani emerges as Christie’s biggest defender
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is still under fire for the so-called "Bridgegate" scandal, but he's found a vocal ally in former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Published January 12, 2014
Rove: Bridge scandal won’t sink Christie
The presidential hopes of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie likely will survive the unfolding George Washington Bridge scandal, leading Republican strategist Karl Rove said Sunday. Published January 12, 2014
Obama sends condolences to Sharon family, but Biden will attend memorial service
President Obama sent condolences to Israel Saturday on the passing of former prime minister Ariel Sharon, but the commander in chief will not attend the upcoming memorial service, according to the White House. Instead, the administration will send Vice President Joseph R. Biden. Published January 11, 2014
Obama administration guidelines could lead to racial quotas in school discipline
How discipline is doled out in the classroom now will be under much closer scrutiny by the federal government, but some analysts say the Obama administration's efforts ultimately may backfire and could lead to de facto racial quotas in American schools. Published January 8, 2014
Obama glosses over poor record on poverty
Poverty levels have been stuck at near-historic levels in recent years, but President Obama on Wednesday glossed over those troubling figures and defended his record. Published January 8, 2014
Potential foes push infrastructure spending in New York
In two years, Vice President Joseph R. Biden and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo may be enemies as they vie for the Democratic party's presidential nomination, but on Tuesday the two men praised each other and vowed to work together to rebuild the Empire State following a series of devastating storms. Published January 7, 2014
In midst of The Big Freeze, Obama to exert presidential powers on ‘global warming’
With a divided Congress unlikely to move any controversial climate change legislation, the hopes of environmentalists this year once again will be pinned on the executive authority of President Obama. Published January 5, 2014
Obama to GOP: Make it your new year’s resolution to restore jobless benefits
As he prepares to return to Washington, President Obama has made clear his immediate priority in 2014 is to sign into law an extension of long-term jobless benefits, and on Saturday he suggested Republicans make it their "New Year's resolution" to support that effort.. Published January 3, 2014
White House offers security aid after Russia blasts
With Russia reeling from two deadly suicide bombings in as many days, the White House on Monday offered to help with security at the 2014 Winter Olympics, slated to begin in less than six weeks in Sochi. Published December 30, 2013