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WASHINGTON (CNN) – In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily: After the longest economic slump since the Great Depression, the White House claims that the economy has rebounded - ironically on the 80th anniversary of Black Tuesday. CNN's White House Correspondent Ed Henry has the details.

Plus: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a 2,000 page bill combining three different versions of health care legislation passed by the House committees. CNN's Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash reports on why Democratic leaders are applauding this milestone.

Finally: Three candidates are battling for a congressional seat in a remote area of New York. CNN's Mary Snow investigates what the outcome will mean for the GOP.

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WASHINGTON(CNN)– In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily: President Obama is returning to the trail for a late-campaign appearance in a state he won last fall to support a fellow Democrat, Creigh Deeds - but is it too late to change the shape of the race? And what will it mean if the president's party loses the governor's mansion? CNN National Political Correspondent Jessica Yellin has the story from Norfolk, Virginia.

Plus: In Florida today, President Obama is leading a new political push for cleaner energy. CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian has the facts on a $3.4 billion effort to modernize the nation's power grid.

Finally: A former Marine frustrated with recent Afghanistan strategy quits his State Department post. CNN's Brian Todd talks with Matthew Hoh about the deadliest month in eight years of fighting.

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WASHINGTON(CNN)–In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily: As President Obama continues to face tough choices on troop levels in Afghanistan, US forces there experience the deadliest day in years. CNN's Pentagon Corrrespondent Chris Lawrence reports from the grounds of Kabul, Afghanistan.

Meanwhile: The Pentagon rolls out the red carpet for one of China's most powerful military officers. CNN's Elaine Quijano takes a look at the big welcome just months after the two countries faced-off on the high seas.

Finally: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid publicly announced that he wants legislation to include a government-run health care option. CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash investigates a major turning point in the battle over health care reform.

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WASHINGTON(CNN)– In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily: First Lady Michelle Obama met with students out on the South Lawn Wednesday to call for nutritious change in America. CNN's Kate Bolduan shines the spotlight on what schools across the country are doing to improve their lunch choices.

Meanwhile: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warns Tehran again that the administration's openness to diplomatic engagement with Iran isn't open-ended, as concern continues to rise over the state of Iran's nuclear program. CNN Foreign Affairs Correspondent Jill Dougherty reports on Clinton's latest comments on nuclear threats facing the United States.

Plus: President Obama announced a plan today to help banks free up credit for struggling small businesses. Could there be a stimulus, round two ahead? CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash reports.

Finally: Sen. John Kerry, back from Afghanistan, briefed President Obama at the White House today. CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian takes a look at new hints that President Obama may be moving closer to a decision on troop levels in Afghanistan.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) – Michelle Obama may be a renowned fitness fiend - but she's equally devoted to her fries.

The first lady - who has spoken of her affection for the deep-fried staple - told a crowd of students Wednesday that her love affair with fast food had continued in the White House, where she's confessed sneaking out for an occasional run to the Five Guys burger joint.

"My favorite food in the whole wide world are french fries," Obama told a crowd of local students on the South Lawn of the White House during an event to promote healthy eating. "I love them. Dearly. Deeply. I have a good relationship with french fries and I would eat them every single day if I could. I really would."

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(CNN) – Supporters of a public health care option are getting a helping hand from Austin Powers actress Heather Graham.

A new ad released Wednesday by MoveOn.org features Graham representing the public option in a foot race towards the finish line against big insurance companies CIGNA, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Health and Humana.

"Insurance companies have gotten lazy, bloated from the profits of raising our health care costs sky high while the health care crisis keeps getting worse," the announcer says in a 30-second version of the spot, which will air on national and cable television. A 60-second version of the ad is set to air on the Web.

The ad targeting insurers comes amid a new push by liberal groups against the industry. The fresh pressure follows the release last week of a report, funded by the industry's lobbying group and heavily criticized by Democrats, that suggested the president's health care plan would do little to stem surging insurance premiums.

Moveon.org is not releasing the size of the ad buy.

In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily: A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows that Americans are beginning to compare the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan to the Vietnam war. CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian reports on the tough choices that lie ahead for President Obama on Afghanistan.

Meanwhile: The White House is taking aim at lobbying efforts by Wall Street. CNN National Poltical Correspondent Jessica Yellin reports.

Plus: During his White House bid, President Obama promised that when it came to health care reform the American people would not be kept in the dark. With five health care bills now out of various congressional committees, some critics are asking where is the transparency that Obama promised. CNN's Jim Acosta has the story.

Finally: From tracking missing children, investigating fraud, and assuring the first family's safety, the Secret Service has its hands full. CNN's Brian Todd takes a look at a new congressional report that raises concerns about whether the elite force responsible for protecting the president may be overloaded with too many responsibilities.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) - Promising to get the "economy moving again," Connecticut Republican Senate hopeful Tom Foley released his first television ad Wednesday.

The ad entitled "Cycle", a referrence to what Foley calls a "vicious cycle" of contributions and political favors flowing between special interest groups and politicians, says longtime Connecticut Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd is "one of the worst offenders."

Suggesting that Connecticut does not need another career politician, in the 30-second spot, Foley highlights his 25 years as a businessman.

The Foley campaign would not release details about the amount of ad dollars supporting "Cycle," but the campaign tells CNN the new ad is running statewide.

Foley, the former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, is one of 7 Republican candidates vying for Dodd's seat.

The Connecticut primary will take place August 10.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - When President Obama announced Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his choice to be the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice, he noted that she played a key role in helping bring an end to the 1995 Major League Baseball strike.

"Some say that Judge Sotomayor saved baseball," said Obama, referring to Sotomayor's ruling against the owners that brought the strike to an end.

On Saturday, Sotomayor returns to the baseball diamond – this time taking the field. She will throw out the first pitch at Yankees Stadium.

"Having Justice Sotomayor, a South Bronx native, participate in our yearly Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is very exciting, as she is an inspiration to so many," said Manuel García, Yankees director of Latino Affairs.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – With health care on the minds of Americans across the nation, Michelle Obama is continuing her efforts to make healthy food choices a priority amongst Americans.

The First Lady celebrated with a crowd of several hundred people who braved the rain for the opening of the Freshfarm Farmers' Market Thursday in Washington, D.C., a market that supports locally grown produce and encourages people to eat healthier.

"All right, I have to say, I have never seen so many people so excited about fruits and vegetables," Obama told the locals. "This is a very, very good thing."

The First Lady was joined by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Washington, D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty.

"As we look at tackling some of the biggest health problems that our nation faces, like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and related issues like access to primary care and preventative health services, I've realized that little things like a garden can actually play a role in all of these larger discussions," she said.

After her speech, the First Lady took some time to make a few purchases of her own, including cherry tomatoes, black kale, mixed hot peppers, cheese and chocolate milk.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – It was anything but chilly when the Pittsburgh Penguins visited the White House Thursday to be honored by the nation's chief executive for winning the 2009 Stanley Cup .

The team's captain, twenty-one year old Sidney Crosby, is the youngest captain ever to conquer the coveted hockey prize.

President Obama congratulated the team jokingly pointing out that "Sidney must be pretty fast, cause there are some big hockey players and he's not one of them."

The Penguins brought the cup to the White House and Obama did not leave empty handed either. After posing for photos with the president, the team presented him with with a personalized "Obama 44" Pittsburgh Penguin jersey.

(CNN) - Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman has a new gig - at successor Al Franken's alma mater.

Harvard University's Institute of Politics announced Thursday that the former Republican senator will be part of its latest class of teaching fellows.

Other political luminaries joining Coleman at Harvard as resident or visiting fellows this fall include former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, former Kerry and Obama advisor Stephanie Cutter, Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan.

(CNN) – The dinner discussion at the next Woodhouse family gathering should be spirited – if Tuesday's face off between brothers Dallas and Brad is any indication.

Dallas and Brad Woodhouse are on opposite sides of the heated debate over how to reform the nation's health care system with both brothers trying to shape public opinion on the issue.

Brad is the communications director for the Democratic National Committee, while Dallas works for Americans for Prosperity in North Carolina. The DNC, of course, is promoting President Obama's approach to health care reform, while Americans for Prosperity opposes it.

"It is simple that the president is loosing this debate," Dallas said during the debate with his brother on CNN's American Morning."You know that he is loosing this debate when people like my brother and the White House start attacking hard working tax paying citizens as mobsters, and when Nancy Pelosi calls them un-American."

"The same government that can't get water to thirsty people in a hurricane will destroy the best health care system in the world by complete government take over," Dallas added.

But Brad didn't hold back on his younger brother.

"You can't have an honest debate with folks like my brother on this issue," he said. "I mean no one has proposed, the president has been the last person to propose a government take over of health care. He said we need to build on the current system."

(CNN) - Some town hall meetings being held by members of Congress around the country have turned heated as citizens have come out to express their concerns about health care reform. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, held a largely civil health care town hall meeting Monday in her state.

McCaskill said she remains optimistic about the process of crafting and passing health care reform legislation.

"I think I was able to hopefully correct some really bad misinformation that's out there. People are just getting information that is flat wrong" McCaskill told CNN Congressional Correspondent Brianna Keilar.

WASHINGTON (CNN) –The Philadelphia Phillies, winner of the 2008 Major League Baseball World Series Championship, met with President Obama Friday at the White House.

Led by manager Charlie Manuel, the Phillies posed for photos with Obama after presenting him with a personalized "Obama 44" jersey and a cased baseball.

Obama congratulated the champions on their season.

"What an unbelievable run it was, full of come from behind wins," Obama said. "This is an underdog team that loved to prove their prognosticators wrong.

"We share something in common then, because no one thought I was going to win either," he added, laughing.

(CNN)– Secretary of State Hilary Clinton delivered the commencement address to New York University's class of 2009 at Yankee Stadium Wednesday, urging the generation of graduates to remain positive about their futures and to seize the moment.

"I can only reflect on what an extraordinary moment in history. You are receiving your degrees. A moment in time of our country and the world were your talents and your energy, your passion and commitment is more needed then ever," Clinton told the thousands of graduates present.

Touching on various challenges that the United States and the world are facing ranging from climate change to poverty, Clinton offered her confidence in the graduates being up to the task.
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WASHINGTON (CNN)–The University of North Carolina men's basketball team, winner of the 2009 NCAA championship, met with President Obama Monday at the White House.

Led by coach Roy Williams, the Tar Heels posed for photos with Obama after presenting him with a personalized "Obama 1" jersey and framed photo of the president with the team. The photo was taken after Obama hit the court with the team for a game of pick up during a campaign stop in Chapel Hill in April of last year.

President Obama welcomed the team to the White House and also thanked the team for "salvaging my bracket and vindicating me in front of the entire nation." Obama choose the team in March to win the NCAA title.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – News of baseball star Manny Ramirez's drug violation brought "disappointment" Thursday to Mudville and the White House.

"I think it's a disappointment to anyone who is a sports fan," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said of Ramirez's suspension.

The Los Angeles Dodgers all-star outfielder was suspended for 50 games after violating the "Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," Major League Baseball said in a prepared statement.

"It's a tragedy," Gibb said at his daily news conference. "It's a shame. My sense is, it's a great embarrassment on Major League Baseball and you hope that each time this happens that others will recognize, if they are doing it, and stop. Regrettably, it happens over and over again."

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