Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Dick Cheney: Military action against Iran may be inevitable
The Obama administration is optimistic that Iran's new leadership could offer an opportunity to repair diplomatic relations with the United States and to permanently halt Iran's nuclear ambitions. But former Vice President Dick Cheney believes that, eventually, America may have to resort to military force. Published October 27, 2013
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear: ‘Chill out’ on Obamacare
Frustration with this month's Obamacare rollout continues to grow in Washington and across the country, but one Democratic governor has a message for critics of the program: "Chill out." Published October 27, 2013
Sen. Joe Manchin: Obamacare can work if everyone gets on board
Sen. Joe Manchin III, a critic of the troubled Obamacare rollout, believes the program can work if everyone gets on the same page and joins "Team America." Published October 27, 2013
GOP lawmakers: Allies may be snooping, should be thankful to U.S.
As outrage in Europe grows, lawmakers are defending U.S. surveillance practices — including phone tapping — and saying other nations likely engage in similar spying, even if their leaders don't know it. Published October 27, 2013
La. Gov. Bobby Jindal takes swipe at Obamacare rollout
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Sunday openly mocked the Obama administration's troubled rollout of its HealthCare.gov website but did suggest a fix — sort of. Published October 27, 2013
Biden’s ‘crass plea’: Don’t let women’s rights, ‘collective agenda’ fall to tea party
Pleading for money to help his party win back the House, Vice President Joseph Biden on Friday night took direct aim at tea party conservatives, calling them the biggest impediment to progress in America. Published October 26, 2013
Obama turns glitch pitch man, embraces role of ‘insurance salesman’
As problems continue at HealthCare.gov, President Obama has morphed into the world's most powerful pitch man, hawking his signature domestic achievement to an increasingly skeptical population. Published October 26, 2013
Under fire, White House to push back Obamacare penalties
With Obamacare criticism mounting and a faulty website still frustrating consumers, the White House confirmed Thursday it will delay the date by which Americans must buy health insurance or face fines. Published October 24, 2013
White House takes blame for Durbin’s ‘miscommunication’
All sides seem to agree that the now-infamous “I cannot even stand to look at you” insult purportedly directed at President Obama never was uttered. Published October 24, 2013
Pakistani leader calls for end to U.S. drone strikes in meeting with Obama
President Obama and his Pakistani counterpart emerged from their meeting Wednesday at the White House vowing to work together to combat terrorism, but controversial U.S. drone strikes continue to cloud the relationship between the two nations and threaten future cooperation. Published October 23, 2013
He said what? White House refutes Durbin claim of incendiary GOP comment
Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, a Democrat with a history of incendiary statements including a comparison of Guantanamo Bay to a Nazi concentration camp, was hung out to dry Wednesday when the White House flatly dismissed the senator's claim that a top Republican made contemptuous comments toward the commander in chief during a recent closed-door meeting. Published October 23, 2013
White House: We’re not spying on Merkel
President Obama on Wednesday spoke on the phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to assure her the U.S. is not listening to her phone calls, the White House said. Published October 23, 2013
White House won’t rule out delay of Obamacare; buyers wait for website fix
The Obama administration remains committed to getting Obamacare up and running on time, but the White House this week left itself enough wiggle room if it decides it must delay the mandate that everyone have health insurance — a centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act — if consumers continue to have problems signing up. Published October 22, 2013
White House defends drone strikes; Pakistani P.M. to visit Obama this week
Amid claims that U.S. drone strikes may have broken international law and could constitute war crimes, the White House on Tuesday defended its use of unmanned vehicles to strike terrorist targets around the world. Published October 22, 2013
Redskins name fight unearths questions about Oneida Indian Nation leader
As he describes it, Ray Halbritter is simply on a crusade of conscience by spearheading the effort to expunge the "Redskins" name from the National Football League. Published October 21, 2013
Obamacare missing from Obama radio address; GOP challenged on budget
With the debt ceiling raised until February and Washington back up and running, President Obama on Saturday laid out three key goals for the months to come — goals that Republicans ought to work with him to achieve, he said. Published October 19, 2013
After deal, Obama pivots to looming budget negotiations
Just minutes after the Senate voted to reopen the government and raise the nation's debt ceiling, President Obama on Wednesday night said the heavy lifting is by no means over. Published October 16, 2013
White House ‘fine’ with Obamacare provision in budget deal
The White House won't oppose a provision calling for strict income monitoring of those seeking taxpayer subsidies under Obamacare. Published October 16, 2013
Deal on shutdown, debt ‘achieves what is necessary,’ White House says
Moments after Senate leaders announced a deal to end the government shutdown and raise the nation's debt ceiling, the White House announced that it backs the agreement and urged both chambers of Congress "to act swiftly" and pass the measure as quickly as possible. Published October 16, 2013
Obama predicts budget, debt-ceiling deal will get done
Saying that a growing number of congressional Republicans realize they've been pursuing a "bad strategy" in ongoing fiscal talks, President Obama on Tuesday predicted that a deal will get done before America breaches its debt ceiling. Published October 15, 2013
