U.S. Edition
(CNN) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker took to the airwaves Sunday, defending his call to limit collective bargaining rights in his state because "actions speak louder than words."
The embattled first-term Republican, whose proposal has touched off a fierce nationwide debate and a series of rallies, brought his arguments to NBC's "Meet the Press."
Washington (CNN) – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says so-called "RomneyCare" should not disqualify former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney from running for president in 2012.
"I don't think it disqualifies him," Huckabee said on "FOX News Sunday". "I think the purpose of states are always to be laboratories of government." FULL POST
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) - The big spending cuts proposed by House Republicans could weigh on economic growth and jobs, but forecasts vary widely.
Economist Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics said Sunday that if all $61 billion in proposed cuts for the rest of this year were enacted, the economy's growth could be reduced by half a percentage point. Many forecasters expect the economy to grow at around 3.5% this year.
Washington (CNN) - Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota said the Republican-backed plan to avoid a government shut down is "acceptable," but that it is "not the way to go."
The continuing resolution that is currently funding the government expires March 4 and members of Congress are in negotiations to avoid a government shutdown. Most recently, leading Democrats appeared open to the Republican proposal that would include $4 billion in cuts and fund the government for an additional two weeks while a more permanent deal is worked out. FULL POST
(CNN) - Two leading U.S. senators were both critical Sunday of President Barack Obama's delay in speaking out over the uprising in Libya.
Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Obama should "stand up for democracy" and noted that the British prime minister and French president were not hesitant to address the crisis. FULL POST
(CNN) - A coalition spearheaded by liberal advocacy group Moveon.org held rallies across the country Saturday in support of public employees and others outraged at the Wisconsin budget-cutting bill they consider an attack on unions.
MoveOn.org and other liberal and labor groups held noon events at all 50 state capitals.
(CNN) – Gabe Zimmerman used his degree in social work to help children in need. The avid runner and his fiancee had a lot of plans.
On January 8, those plans came to an end when he and five others died when a gunman opened fire at Representative Gabrielle Gifford's "Congress on Your Corner" event in Tucson, Arizona.
(CNN)–It's early, and State of the Union is bringing you the best of the morning headlines to go with your cup of coffee.
On our radar this morning: The continuing civil unrest in Libya and across the region, the possibility of a government shutdown, and governors fighting to keep their budgets in the black.
Check out what we're reading, and make sure to watch the show today at 9am/12pm ET, where guests include Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut)
FULL POST
Washington (CNN) - An impassioned Labor Secretary Hilda Solis rallied Democratic party members Saturday to tell voters "elections do matter" as she gave a detailed – and political – response to the Wisconsin union fight.
Solis delivered her remarks before the Democratic National Committee winter meeting, in the same hotel where conservative activists held their annual convention two weeks ago. But the message was decidedly different, as Solis accused Republicans of turning back the clock on workers' rights.