Dave Boyer
Articles by Dave Boyer
White House sets up online condolence book for the Biden family
The White House created a virtual condolence book online Monday for people to express their sentiments over the death of Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joseph R. Biden. Published June 1, 2015
White House blasts Senate on failure to renew Patriot Act
The White House blasted Senate leaders Monday for failing to renew key Patriot Act powers, saying the impasse of "political gamesmanship" is preventing counterterrorism officials from carrying out their jobs to protect America. Published June 1, 2015
Dan Pfeiffer, former Obama adviser, joins CNN
Dan Pfeiffer, a longtime top adviser to President Obama, is joining CNN as a contributor, becoming the second key White House aide to work for the network in the past year. Published June 1, 2015
World War II veterans see ‘shame’ in VA scandals
Marine Corps veteran Richard Taylor doesn't have a high opinion of the scandal-plagued Department of Veterans Affairs. "I don't think you could print it," Mr. Taylor told a reporter while visiting the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on Saturday. "I have refused to even use the VA. My opinion is not good." Published May 31, 2015
Beau Biden’s passing mourned by politicians
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum as Vice President Joseph R. Biden dealt with another crushing family tragedy with the death of his 46-year-old son Beau Biden, who passed away Saturday night after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. Published May 31, 2015
Beau Biden dies after brain cancer battle, vice president’s son was 46
Beau Biden, the 46-year-old son of Vice President Joseph R. Biden, died Saturday night after a battle with brain cancer. Published May 30, 2015
Phoenix VA hospital troubles persist a year after phony wait times scandal
A year after the scandal over phony wait times at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs hospital exposed widespread problems in the agency nationwide, employees say troubles at the Arizona facility are still rampant, including whistleblower retaliation, neglect of suicidal veterans and suspected fraud in overtime pay. Published May 28, 2015
VA officials abused positions in fortune-telling party, watchdog says
A manager in the Philadelphia Veterans' Affairs office misused her position to compel employees to pay for psychic "readings" by the wife of a VA colleague, who failed to report the income on his tax returns, a government watchdog said Thursday. Published May 28, 2015
Obama’s Asia trade deal faces mounting opposition in House
After a victory in the Senate, President Obama's push for a huge free-trade deal with Asia faces a higher hurdle in the House, where an unusual coalition of conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats oppose granting him more executive power. Published May 26, 2015
Joe Biden tries to smooth over tensions with Baghdad
As tensions mount between the Obama administration and Baghdad over the quality of Iraqi security forces, Vice President Joseph R. Biden tried to reassure Iraq's prime minister Monday that the U.S. stands behind the Iraqi government in its battle with the Islamic State. Published May 25, 2015
In Memorial Day tribute to fallen troops, Obama cites his role in ending wars
President Obama used the Memorial Day holiday to remind Americans Monday that it's the first such annual observance since the 9/11 terrorist attacks that U.S. combat troops aren't fighting a major war on distant battlefields. Published May 25, 2015
Fight over NSA snooping, Patriot Act goes down to wire
Senators on Friday raced their own holiday-imposed deadline for preserving key Patriot Act powers, with Democrats accusing Republican leaders of trying to force a choice between having to back the NSA's controversial bulk collection powers or else letting other wiretapping and lone-wolf terrorism tools expire. Published May 22, 2015
Obama urges U.S. Jews to accept nuke deal with Iran
President Obama tried to reassure American Jews Friday that a tentative nuclear deal with Iran will prevent Tehran from developing weapons of mass destruction, saying his personal legacy is tied to the talks. Published May 22, 2015
Obama’s Islamic State solution still military advisers in Iraq, says U.S.-led coalition winning
The administration said Thursday that it would consider sending more military advisers to Iraq, although President Obama doesn't believe the U.S.-led coalition is losing the war against the Islamic State after the terrorist group's significant gains in recent days. Published May 21, 2015
Senate averts trade filibuster, delivers big win to Obama in fast-track fight
Braving their party's liberal wing, pro-trade Democrats joined Republicans on Thursday to head off a filibuster and put the Senate on course to approve fast-track trade negotiating powers for President Obama, delivering an impressive win on the White House's biggest domestic priority. Published May 21, 2015
Obama highlights Tunisia as Arab success story
In a meeting Thursday with the newly elected leader of Tunisia, President Obama pledged that the U.S. will work to "stabilize" Libya so that Islamist extremists won't further threaten the fledgling democracy in Tunis. Published May 21, 2015
John Boehner: Obama VA has left veterans ‘to die’
House Speaker John A. Boehner said Wednesday that the Obama administration hasn't fired enough people in the wake of last year's veterans health-care scandal, and said it's up to the president to come up with a real plan to fix the VA. Published May 20, 2015
Watchdog faults Pentagon for $36M white elephant in Afghanistan
A government watchdog said Wednesday that the Defense Department squandered $36 million to build a single command facility in Afghanistan that was never used, and recommended disciplinary action against three officers for their roles in the boondoggle. Published May 20, 2015
Obama insists Islamic State strategy working as spokesman admits tweaks
The White House insisted Tuesday that President Obama's strategy for defeating the Islamic State is succeeding, though a spokesman acknowledged they regularly discuss tweaks, as the terrorist group recaptured a key Iraqi city this weekend and established a new base in Libya. Published May 19, 2015
Obama signs law creating police alert system
President Obama signed legislation Tuesday establishing a "blue alert" system to warn police officers more quickly about threats to themselves and other law-enforcement officials. Published May 19, 2015