U.S. Edition
Washington (CNN) - The way administration officials describe it, President Barack Obama's message to congressional Republicans can be summed up as "help me help you."
On issues ranging from the debt to immigration reform, White House officials said the president told House GOP lawmakers in their closed-door meeting that he is no longer interested in the next election cycle. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) – In the midst of a congressional charm offensive, senior Obama administration officials are slamming a new budget proposal from top House Republicans as so full of gimmicks that it will explode the deficit.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, White House officials essentially accused House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of misreading last November's election results in releasing a spending plan on Tuesday that seeks to unravel much of the Obama domestic agenda. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama called two more Republican senators Monday in advance of a high profile charm offensive on Capitol Hill this week, White House and Congressional officials have confirmed.
The president contacted freshman Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona to talk about the issue of immigration reform while another call to Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois focused on gun control and deficit reduction, "among other issues," according to a White House official. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) - It's an organization billed as being no different from the Democratic National Committee. But its defenders say the group is seeking a bipartisan agenda, on behalf of the president. And it's going to raise a lot of money.
Welcome to the grey area inhabited by President Obama's post-election political organization, Organizing for Action. Its initials OFA are, of course, intended to harken back to the name given to the president's reelection outfit, Obama for America. FULL POST
(CNN) - President Barack Obama has invited a group of Republican senators for dinner Wednesday evening, a source familiar with the event confirmed to CNN.
Washington (CNN) – President Obama intends to designate Edith Ramirez to be the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, a White House official said Thursday.
Ramirez has served as a commissioner of the FTC since April 5, 2010. Over the past few years Ramirez has been instrumental in ensuring there is robust competition and innovation in the high-tech marketplace, and has worked hard to protect the most vulnerable communities, the official said.
Washington (CNN) - Education Secretary Arne Duncan says a West Virginia school district is laying off teachers due to deep spending cuts across the federal government set to take effect on Friday. But officials from that region say it's not true.
Duncan told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that the Kanawha County school system was already handing out pink slips in anticipation of the automatic cuts that, among other things, will impact the amount of federal money states get through September. FULL POST
(CNN) - It’s considered a key speaking engagement for any Republican considering a bid for president, but one potential 2016 candidate didn’t get an invitation to this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference.
Someone close to CPAC said Monday that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wasn’t asked to attend by organizers of the event, which will take place in mid-March at a resort outside Washington. Officially, CPAC says they’re finalizing this year’s schedule. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) – Outspoken gun rights activist Ted Nugent promised to behave himself as he arrived on Capitol Hill for Tuesday's State of the Union address.
The one-time rock star and high profile National Rifle Association member will be watching President Obama's remarks from the House Gallery as the guest of Congressman Steve Stockman, R-TX. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) – Rep. Steve Stockman, the Texas Republican who invited Ted Nugent to this year's State of the Union, explained Tuesday his reasoning in bringing along the outspoken rocker and gun rights advocate to President Barack Obama's annual address.
"He's a very articulate spokesman," Stockman told CNN. "I'm excited to have him. I think he gives a balance to what's being said tonight at the White House. And it will be a balance. The president gives his views and his opinions. And we live in a free country where other people get to speak their opinion."
Watch CNN's comprehensive coverage of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address starting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET on CNN TV and follow online at CNN.com or via CNN's apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. Follow our real-time State of the Union live blog at cnn.com/conversation. FULL POST