Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
White House press corps revolts over lack of Obama access
Tensions between the Obama administration and the White House Press Corps boiled over Thursday amid a lack of access to the president and the use of government photographers as substitutes for independent journalists. Published November 21, 2013
Obama, Clinton hide tension behind smiles at medal ceremony
Whatever tension exists between President Obama and former President Bill Clinton — and by all accounts, there’s plenty — it wasn’t on full display Wednesday when the two men came together for a White House ceremony and a tribute to the late President John F. Kennedy. Published November 20, 2013
Obama sees Beirut terrorist attack as common ground with Iran in nuclear talks
The Obama administration moved swiftly Tuesday to seize on the horrific suicide bombing of the Iranian Embassy in Beirut as an example of how Washington and Tehran share common ground as terrorist targets. Published November 19, 2013
Obama on socialist charge: ‘No, you’ve got to meet a real socialist’
Republicans and Democrats actually are "fighting inside the 40-yard lines" on key issues, President Obama said Tuesday, and anyone who doubts that needs to visit other countries to get a look at real political and ideological divides. Published November 19, 2013
Obamacare in need of ‘rebrand’ effort, president says
As problems pile up, President Obama said Tuesday his signature health-care reform law needs a full-blown rebranding effort. Published November 19, 2013
Obama addresses Gettysburg ceremony — on tape
Those attending Tuesday's ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in Pennsylvania heard from President Obama after all. Published November 19, 2013
Some senators ‘unsatisfied’ with White House approach on Iran
A key senator emerged from Tuesday's meeting with President Obama saying some lawmakers are "unsatisfied" with the administration's proposal to begin easing sanctions on Iran in exchange for that nation halting parts of its nuclear program. Published November 19, 2013
Looking at presidency, Joe Biden vows Obamacare will work … ‘God willing’
Vice President Joseph R. Biden vowed Monday that Obamacare eventually will be a success, but added a crucial qualifier: "God willing." Published November 18, 2013
White House won’t weigh in on JFK conspiracy theories
Secretary of State John Kerry believes there may have been a conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy, but it's unclear where President Obama stands on the issue. Published November 18, 2013
Netanyahu: Iran nuclear pact a ‘bad deal’
With the international community inching toward an agreement with Iran that would slow parts of that nation's nuclear program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday cautioned against accepting "an exceedingly bad deal" that he says would threaten the very existence of his country. Published November 17, 2013
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: ‘We all knew’ Obama’s health care pledge wasn’t accurate
Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand wasn't surprised when Americans began to get letters saying their health insurance policies had been canceled. Published November 17, 2013
Liz Cheney: ‘No question’ Obama lied about insurance cancellations
Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican and U.S. Senate hopeful, said Sunday there is "no question" President Obama lied to the nation when he said Americans who like their health care plans can keep them. Published November 17, 2013
States, not feds, are now key to making Obamacare work, insurers say
President Obama's about-face last week may have blunted the immediate political blowback from his broken promise that Americans who like their insurance plans can keep them — a vow that turned out not to be true for millions across the country. Published November 17, 2013
Obama admits he ‘fumbled,’ says Americans can keep their health care
Conceding that he has "fumbled" the rollout to his signature health care reform law, President Obama on Thursday said he will use executive authority to craft a series of loopholes to allow some Americans to keep their insurance policies for at least another year. Published November 14, 2013
Obama: I’m not stupid enough to mislead on Obamacare website
In the days leading up to the Oct. 1 launch of HealthCare.Gov, President Obama says he didn't know just how faulty the site would be. Published November 14, 2013
Obama concedes, announces changes to health care law
President Obama said Thursday he will let Americans renew for one year any health plans that do not meet Obamacare's coverage standards — a stark attempt to quell the political firestorm around his broken promise that those who like their insurance coverage can keep it under his signature law. Published November 14, 2013
U.S. oil production tops imports for first time in nearly 2 decades
Claiming a key victory in the fight to escape reliance on foreign fuel, the Obama administration announced Wednesday that domestic oil production surpassed imports for the first time in nearly two decades. Published November 13, 2013
Obama chooses new CFTC chair, takes shots at Republicans
President Obama on Tuesday not only put forward his pick to head a powerful financial regulatory panel, he also declared in no uncertain terms that the "army of lobbyists" who he says have teamed with Republicans to undermine Wall Street reform must not succeed. Published November 12, 2013
Obama’s latest pivot: Take back control of Congress, reclaim blocked agenda
After offering an apology for the failed rollout of his signature health care reform law, President Obama in recent days has "pivoted" yet again — this time into full-blown campaign mode. Published November 11, 2013
Obama threatens GOP with executive orders on ‘drawer full’ of ideas
President Obama on Friday night continued throwing his entire second-term agenda against the wall to see what sticks, challenging Republicans to join him and support more federal spending, pass immigration reform and tackle other challenges. Published November 9, 2013
