Steve Levine « Washington Hotlist

$642.5 billion defense bill is approved by House May 19, 2012
The House approved a bill Friday that would provide $642.5 billion in defense spending for the next fiscal year, despite a veto threat from the White House, which objected to a series of provisions that would limit the president’s authority and challenge administration policies. Read full article >> […]
Walter Pincus
Featured Advertiser May 19, 2012
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Biden on West Virginians’ vote for felon Keith Judd: ‘I don’t blame people’ for frustration over economy May 18, 2012
Why did four-in-ten Democratic primary voters in West Virginia earlier this month cast their ballots for felon Keith Judd over President Obama? To hear Vice President Biden tell it, it’s because those voters are taking out their frustration and anger about the economy on Obama. Read full article >> […]
Felicia Sonmez
Scott Brown raising money off Elizabeth Warren Native American questions May 18, 2012
Scott Brown raising money off Elizabeth Warren flap, Al Gore is dating, and George W. Bush is returning to the White House (for a portrait). Make sure to sign up to get “Afternoon Fix ” in your e-mail inbox every day by 5 (ish) p.m! Read full article >> […]
Rachel Weiner
North Carolina same-sex marriage amendment: Confusion over domestic partner benefits May 18, 2012
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mecklenburg County commissioner Bill James survived his own primary race on May 8. But it was the marquee fight over Amendment One that topped his agenda the following day. It was predicted that the change to the state constitution, with its broad language proclaiming “marriage between one man and one woman … the only domestic legal union t […]
Mary C. Curtis
Mitt and Ann Romney each give $75,000 to Romney Victory Fund May 18, 2012
Republican candidate Mitt Romney and his wife have each given $75,000 to the Romney Victory Fund, the joint fundraising group that collects money for his presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee, campaign sources said Friday. Read full article >> […]
Dan Eggen
Mitt Romney plans restful break after busy week May 18, 2012
Mitt Romney wrapped up a very busy week (Iowa, Florida, New Hampshire) with a very short speech (barely nine minutes) Friday afternoon in New Hampshire. On Saturday, the former Massachusetts governor will spend the day opening his Wolfeboro, N.H., home on Lake Winnepesaukee. Read full article >> […]
Nia-Malika Henderson
Birtherism isn’t dead May 18, 2012
Discussion of President Obama’s place of birth died down significantly when he released his long-form birth certicate. But birtherism still lives, even if it no longer gets as much attention. Nationally, conservative bloggers have seized an opportunity to raise the issue. In some places disbelief in Obama’s America origins is still strong, and politicians ar […]
Rachel Weiner
Wisconsin recall slipping away from Democrats May 18, 2012
Just two and a half weeks remain in the recall of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), and momentum seems to be firmly on the GOP’s side. All three polls out this week show Walker leading Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D) by between 5 percent and 9 percent. Perhaps more illustrative, though, are the candidate’s personal favorability and approval numbers. Read full […]
Aaron Blake
Following Obama meeting, France’s Hollande promises different approach to Afghan aid May 18, 2012
President Obama welcomed new French President Francois Hollande to the White House on Friday, an initial meeting that came as world leaders feel a renewed sense of urgency to contain the European debt crisis. Read full article >> […]
David Nakamura

HILLARY JOINS THE CAST OF Ã¢â‚¬Å“DESPERATE HOUSEWIVESÃ¢â‚¬?

How else to describe her frantic campaigning, highlighted by her disturbing willingness, if not compulsion, to say anything to win the nomination?

Her latest bizarre performance was her outrageous claim surrounding her trip to Bosnia in 1996.

First, a Fact Check: The war was over when she landed in Tuzla on March 25, 1996. It [...]

Supreme Court Tacitly Approves Warrantless Wiretapping

Filed in Detroit in 2006, the challenge was brought on behalf of several Michigan attorneys and Muslim leaders who thought they may be the targets of domestic spying by the U.S. government. They claimed that a program by the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans without court approval violated the law and their constitutional [...]

Will The Dems Snatch Defeat From The Jaws of VictoryÃ¢â‚¬Â¦AGAIN?

The disastrous Bush administration and the deep unpopularity of Republicans have given the Democrats a golden opportunity to capture the White House.

So itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s particularly frustrating (and frightening) to see the leading Democratic candidates fighting with each other and perhaps inflicting irreparable damage on the partyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s chances of winning in November.

Senators Clinton and Obama [...]

ANOTHER REASON WHY AMERICA THINKS SO LITTLE OF CONGRESS!

When Bush attorney Harriet Miers ignored a subpoena to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committe, what did they do about it? NOTHING!

When former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez lied to the same Committee, what did they do? NOTHING!

They apparently donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t have the time or inclination to pursue THOSE offenses, but they DO have time [...]

What? ME Worry?

Republicans are significantly more likely than Democrats or independents to rate their mental health as excellent, according to data from the last four November Gallup Health and Healthcare polls,Ã¢â‚¬? Frank Newport of Gallup informs us:

Fifty-eight percent of Republicans report having excellent mental health, compared to 43 percent of independents and 38 percent of Democrats. [...]

Republican Debate Rewrites Beloved Fairy Tale; Proves That There Really Are EIGHT Dwarfs!

Never mind that Fred Thompson is a taller-than-average guy. Actual height notwithstanding, he and the rest of the Republican hopefuls looked shockingly small at the latest debate.

Struggling to answer the publicÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s questions, they produced more bickering and petty sniping than substantive conversation, causing many to wonder if they were watching Grumpy (Giuliani), Happy (Huckabee), [...]