All Blog Posts from Political Hotsheet

Four members of President Obama's cabinet headed to Alaska today as a part of the administration's "Rural Tour."

Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan (at left in the photo), Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and Energy Secretary Steven Chu stopped in Bethel and Hooper Bay in in effort to improve rural communities and states. A statement released by the White House noted that the four secretaries make up the largest Cabinet-level delegation to visit Alaska.

Donovan announced $132 million in grants to Native American and Native Alaska communities across the country today, the Anchorage Daily News reports. This includes $32 million in stimulus funds to tribal and native organizations in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.

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The list of potential 2012 presidential candidates grows longer as former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum heads to Iowa this fall.

Although Santorum says that he has not committed to running, he will be visiting the early caucus state in early October, according to Politico. His political advisor, John Brabender, says Santorum will give a speech at the University of Dubuque as well as attend an anti-abortion luncheon. Additionally, the Des Moines Register reports that Santorum will headline an America's Future Fund Pac fundraiser.

Santorum says his trip to Iowa has little to do with his 2012 hopes. He casts it as an attempt to raise his profile.

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President Obama condemned the conviction in Myanmar of Aung San Suu Kyi Tuesday, calling for her "immediate unconditional release."

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace laureate, was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest Tuesday after allowing an uninvited American man to stay at her house in May.

In a statement released by the White House, Mr. Obama said the ruling violated "universal principles of human rights" and showed "continued disregard for UN Security Council statements."

"Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away," Mr. Obama said. "Today’s unjust decision reminds us of the thousands of other political prisoners in Burma who, like Aung San Suu Kyi, have been denied their liberty because of their pursuit of a government that respects the will, rights, and aspirations of all Burmese citizens."

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According to a new Quinnipiac poll, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine seems to have gained some ground against Republican challenger Chris Christie in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

Corzine now trails Christie 51-42 percent, if the election was between the two candidates, compared to a July 14 survey that had Christie leading 53-41 percent

When independent candidate Christopher Daggett, who is also included on the ballot, is included in the poll, he pulls a significant amount of support from Christie's backers -- dropping Christie's lead to 46 percent against Corzine's 40 percent and Daggett's 7 percent.

Corruption connotations continue to dog the New Jersey Democratic Party, the poll shows, with half of likely voters associating the governor's party with corruption more so than the Republican Party. Nearly all – 93 percent – of New Jersey voters say that government corruption is "somewhat serious" or "very serious" and 65 percent are embarrassed by the recent string of corruption arrests. Sixty-six percent of voters are at least somewhat dissatisfied with "the way things are going in New Jersey."

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President Barack Obama joined Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in declaring "deepened cooperation" in preparing for the resurgence of swine flu today.

In a statement released by the White House, the North American leaders said that they will "work together to ensure that we have effective strategies, grounded in the best available science" to address the H1N1 pandemic.

Mr. Obama, Calderon, and Harper met in Guadalajara, Mexico Monday to discuss issues facing their respective countries, including economic recovery and climate change in addition to the possible spread of swine flu in the fall.

The full statement is below:

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Former attorney general Alberto Gonzales says that there is "no question" that his reputation has taken a turn for the worse after undergoing an investigation into his role in the firings of nine federal prosecutors.

Still, he says that being the attorney general was a "remarkable privilege" and that he stands by his service.

In an interview with the New York Times, Gonzales says that it "sometimes makes him angry" that his character has been damaged by his work at the White House.

Law firms haven't been offering him jobs, Gonzales said, although there has been some interest.

"In a tough economic climate, I can understand why a company or a firm would want to make sure that the investigations are complete and there is no finding of wrongdoing before they make a hiring decision," Gonzales said.

Gonzales also says that he hasn't been in contact with former President George W. Bush since he left office.

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President Obama and his family will be touring the nation's national parks next weekend, the White House announced today.

The first family will be making stops at four national parks in the western part of the country – Bozeman, Yellowstone, Grand Junction, and Grand Canyon – during a "fee-free" weekend.

The weekend trip is meant to "highlight" the national park system and "encourage all people…to go to and visit the national parks," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

The president has previously visited Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, the press secretary told reporters.

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In his speech following the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, President Obama commended the Senate for acting in a "timely manner."

"I want to thank the Senate Judiciary Committee, particularly its Chairman, Senator Leahy -- as well as its Ranking Member, Senator Sessions -- for giving Judge Sotomayor a thorough and civil hearing. And I thank them for doing so in a timely manner so that she can be fully prepared to take her seat when the Court’s work begins this September," Mr. Obama said.

According to CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller, that it has been two months and eleven days since Mr. Obama nominated Sotomayor. CBS News White House produer Robert Hendin points out that this means Sotomayor's waiting period was identical to that of Chief Justice John Roberts, with both confirmations taking 72 days from nomination to floor vote.

Both Sotomayor's and Roberts' appointments took less than the 81 day average for recent nominees.

Echoing President Obama's push for an increase in college graduates, Dr. Jill Biden asked college-bound students to consider a community college education in an opinion piece for Forbes, saying it is "the single best path to opportunity for millions of Americans."

Biden says that community colleges not only offer a flexible schedule, but they also offer specialized training as well as paths to four-year universities.

"They are essential to our nation's higher education mission and uniquely able to address the needs of our communities," Biden writes. "Just as important, they provide an education to students who would not otherwise enroll in a four year college or university."

Additionally, she notes that community colleges are financially advantageous to those that cannot afford a four year education.

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In an effort to harness the grassroots support he has continued to cultivate while in office, President Obama today called on his backers to "step up once again" and help encourage support of his comprehensive health care reform.

The president sent an email to members of Organizing for America asking them to speak out in favor of reform while members of Congress are at home, away from the influence of lobbyists.

During the August recess, Organizing for America will be sponsoring multiple events focused on clearing up what the group considers the myths of the health reform debate. In the email, Mr. Obama asks each supporter to pledge to attend at least one of these events to "reach out to neighbors, show your support, and make certain your members of Congress know that you're counting on them to act."

"There are those who profit from the status quo, or see this debate as a political game, and they will stop at nothing to block reform," the president writes. "We've got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight."

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