As vacation winds down, Obama faces calls for stronger leadership on ISIS
(CNN) Washington - On President Barack Obama’s last day of a troubled vacation, politicians criticized his leadership and called for action in the growing threat of terrorist group ISIS.
“The President has got to come forward with a cohesive, comprehensive strategy, not only in Iraq, but also in Ukraine, also in other parts of the world. This is an administration - which the kindest word I can use is feckless - where they have not outlined a role that the United States of America has to play, and that’s a leadership role,” Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said on “Fox News Sunday.”
In the wake of the beheading of American journalist James Foley, administration officials made clear that they are shifting from defensive operations against ISIS in Iraq to weighing an attack on ISIS where they are strongest, in Syria. But politicians on both sides of the aisle are impatient for the President to construct a plan and consult with Congress on what many see as an imminent threat from ISIS, which calls itself the Islamic State and is called ISIL by some U.S. government officials.
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Obama on hiatus from vacation with Iraq, Ferguson on his agenda
Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama returned to the White House late Sunday night, taking the unusual step of interrupting his Martha's Vineyard vacation for two days.
The short visit was announced on August 6, the day before Obama authorized targeted airstrikes in Iraq aimed at protecting U.S. personnel and preventing a potential genocide of minorities by terrorist group ISIS.
George W. Bush calls on Africa's 'first spouses' to break down stigmas in fighting cancer, AIDS
Washington (CNN) – Former President George W. Bush said Wednesday it takes something special to get him out of Dallas nowadays, and with the Africa Leaders Summit in Washington this week it gave him a chance to talk about an effort many may not associate him with - fighting AIDS in Africa.
Bush discussed his institute's efforts to fight AIDS with programs like "Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon" – which provides screenings to women at high risk for cancer.
Biden calls on African leaders in fight for democracy, pledges U.S. support
(CNN) - Vice President Joe Biden laid the interests of the United States, and the world, alongside the success of African countries in a pledge to support regions of the continent where he says democracy is threatened.
Citing an old African proverb, Biden encouraged the attendees to work with partners for a better future: “'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ There is no time when that is more true than today. We’re prepared to go with you, if you want us to.”
White House demands teacher excellence for students most in need
Updated 5:37 p.m. ET, 7/7/2014
(CNN) - President Barack Obama continued in his theme of a "year of action" Monday, as Secretary of Education Arne Duncan unveiled a new effort to ensure access to "effective educators" for all American children.
Duncan joined the President at the White House for a lunch with a group of teachers chosen for their expertise with high-need, high-poverty schools.
Obama to request billions to deal with border crisis
(CNN) - President Barack Obama will ask Congress on Monday for emergency funds, possibly more than $2 billion, as the United States grapples with a surge of undocumented children and adults crossing the border from Mexico.
A White House official told CNN the money will go to securing appropriate space for the detention of children but also stemming the tide of immigrants. The government hopes to increase its ability to investigate and dismantle smuggling organizations as well as quickly return children and adults to their home countries if they do not qualify for asylum.
Obama brushes off clamor over Clinton’s ‘broke’ comments
(CNN) – President Obama defended Hillary Clinton in the face of criticism recently that she is out of touch with average Americans, based on her comments about the Clintons’ financial security.
"She is in public service because she cares about the same folks that I talked to here today," Obama said from Minneapolis, where he held a town hall meeting. The interview, taped Thursday during the president’s trip, aired on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday morning.
Biden celebrates with U.S. team after World Cup win
(CNN) – Vice President Joe Biden reunited with the U.S. soccer team at the World Cup in Brazil, and this time he celebrated a win.
The U.S. team beat Ghana 2-1 Monday, the same score that marked Ghana's victories over the Americans at the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.
60 years after Brown v. Board, Michelle Obama tells Topeka students they are its ‘legacy’
(CNN) – Sixty years after the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education challenged segregation in Topeka, Kansas, and changed the makeup of American classrooms forever, first lady Michelle Obama looked out at a crowd of Topeka’s soon-to-be high school graduates and saw its “living, breathing legacy.”
In 1954, Oliver Brown, an African-American welder and assistant pastor, brought the case against the Topeka Board of Education for not allowing his 9-year-old daughter, Linda, to attend Sumner Elementary School, an all-white school near the family’s home. Friday night in Topeka, the nation’s first African-American first lady looked out at the diverse faces of soon-to-be graduates and said they reminded her of her own daughters.
“Graduates, it is clear that some of the most important parts of your education have come not just from your classes but from your classmates,” said Obama. “Ultimately, that was the hope and dream of Brown,” Obama said, speaking at a “Senior Appreciation Day” event attended by students, families and faculty of area schools.
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Biden reflects on life in politics before trip to New Hampshire
Washington (CNN) – Vice President Joe Biden reflected on his career in politics and what he sees as the fight against cynicism as the keynote speaker at an award ceremony for political reporting in Washington Monday.
The Toner Prize celebration dinner is held in honor of the late Robin Toner, the first woman to be named national political correspondent for The New York Times, who died in 2008.
"When talking to Robin, I always knew it wasn't a cynical exercise for her. It wasn't score-keeping. She knew the outcome of the election affected real people's lives and that's why she held us accountable," Biden said of Toner, who covered five presidential elections and many other federal races during her reporting career.
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