All Blog Posts from Political Hotsheet

A leading human rights organization today harshly criticized President Obama for failing to sign on to the Mine Ban Treaty. The treaty, which has been signed by 156 countries, bans the use, stockpiling, production or transfer of land mines.

"President Obama's decision to cling to antipersonnel mines keeps the U.S. on the wrong side of history and the wrong side of humanity," Steve Goose, Arms Division director at Human Rights Watch, said in a released statement.

The international campaign against land mine use drew attention in part thanks to the efforts of Princess Diana of Wales, who died in 1997. Since its introduction in December of that year, 158 countries have signed on to the Mine Ban Treaty, including all but two Western Hemisphere countries and all but one NATO member.

Read full post…

Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced today an investigation by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee into the Fort Hood shooting on Nov. 5, where Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly murdered 13 and wounded 43.

“We appreciate that the Army and the Justice Department are conducting a criminal investigation of this shooting," said Lieberman. "But that does not mean that the rest of us, including the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, can just sit back and watch."

Without interfering in the existing investigations by the Obama administration, Lieberman cited Congress' duty as a watchdog in launching the probe on whether the shooting could have been prevented.

Read full post…

A Gallup poll released today gives the Republicans a 48 percent to 44 percent edge over Democrats in a generic congressional ballot if the 2010 elections were held today. The Republicans have been inching closer to the lead after trailing the Democrats by six points in a similar poll conducted last July.

Read full post…

If the United States were a just a product, it would be number one, according to a survey put out by a consulting firm.

FutureBrand, an international brand consulting group, uses business and vacation travelers to rank 102 countries in an online survey. Last year, the U.S. was ranked third behind perennial favorite Australia, and Canada.

"It's logical to assume that the shift in the political climate and renewed optimism surrounding the election of President Obama was a key influencer in the U.S. topping the list," René A. Mack said in a press release. Mack is president of Weber Shandwick’s Travel & Lifestyle Global Practice, a public relations firm which partnered with FutureBrand in conducting the survey.

Read full post…

After a surprisingly narrow, 5-point loss to mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Democrats are wondering: With a little more effort from certain quarters, might Comptroller William Thompson actually have been able to take down the wealthy incumbent?

That prospect was unthinkable for much of the campaign, as most polls had Thompson trailing Bloomberg by double digits. The mayor, an independent running on the Republican line, outspent his rival by a 14 to one spending margin, according to the New York Times. Preliminary figures suggest the cost of each vote ended up being about $157 for Bloomberg, and only $13 for Thompson.

"A lot of Democratic donors who sat on their wallets are kicking themselves tonight," Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-Brooklyn, tells the New York Daily News. The clear implication: Had those donors not opted-out of the race based on the belief that it was unwinnable, Thompson might just have become mayor.

Read full post…

President Obama today honored trailblazing lawmaker Edward William Brooke, 90, who he said paved the way for himself and other politicians.

Brooke was the first African American elected to the Senate by popular vote, and he was presented the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. Mr. Obama was joined at the ceremony by Congressional leaders of both parties.

Read full post…

Democrat John Corzine appears to be gaining momentum in his bid to be reelected as New Jersey's governor as he taken the lead away from his Republican opponent Chris Christie in another poll.

Corzine now has 43 to 38 percent lead among likely voters in the Quinnipiac University poll that was released released today. Independent candidate Christopher Daggett, who had been gaining momentum in some other recent polls, has 13 percent, with 5 percent undecided.

Read full post…

First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed elementary school students to the White House for a Healthy Kids Fair today, promoting healthy eating and exercise.

"One of our goals was to focus on the importance of educating our kids about healthy eating," said Obama. "So it wasn't just about planting a garden.

Read full post…

Sarah Palin has found a renewable source of energy in her party's quest for a comeback. "Drill, baby, drill," she writes in a National Review opinion piece, echoing a slogan she employed often on the campaign trail last year.

Read full post…

President Obama handed out medals today to some of the nation's most distinguished scientists. He also made a plug for his younger daughter's work as well.

"I must admit that I have an ulterior motive for presenting these awards today," said Mr. Obama. "You see, Sasha has a science fair coming up. And I was thinking that you guys could give us a few tips."

But in all seriousness, the president used the ceremony to highlight his commitment to funding and promoting science in his administration.


"This nation owes all of you an enormous debt of gratitude far greater than any medal can bestow," said Mr. Obama. "We recognize your contributions, but we also celebrate the incredible contributions of the scientific endeavor itself."

The president said his agenda includes setting a goal that three percent of GDP be used for research and development, raising standards in math and science education, and restoring the position of the U.S. as the nation with the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. He also his addressed critics of these plans made in the midst of a economic recession.

Read full post…