Palin confident she can outrun Obama
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/08/art.spalin4.0608.gi.jpg caption="Palin says she has the endurance to beat President Obama in a road race."](CNN) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is confident Barack Obama can be beaten - in a long distance run.
The former Republican vice presidential candidate told Runner's World Magazine if it came down to a foot race between the two famous politicians, she'd likely come out on top.
"I betcha I'd have more endurance," Palin said in an interview published on the magazine's Web site Tuesday. "My one claim to fame in my own little internal running circle is a sub-four marathon. It wasn't necessarily a good running time, but it proves I have the endurance within me to at least gut it out and that is something.
"If you ever talk to my old coaches they'd tell you, too," she continued. "What I lacked in physical strength or skill I made up for in determination and endurance. So if [it] were a long race that required a lot of endurance I'd win."
The avid runner also revealed an accident she had only days before the vice presidential debate last fall, when she fell on a trail while jogging at Sen. John McCain's Arizona ranch.
"I was so stinkin' embarrassed that a golf cart full of Secret Service guys had to pull up beside me," she said of the fall. "My hands just got torn up and I was dripping blood. In the debate you could see a big fat ugly Band-Aid on my right hand."
Declaring "sweat is my sanity," Palin also said some of her worst days on the campaign trail were those when McCain staffers did not schedule time for her to run.
Boehner to go head-to-head with Tiger Woods
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/30/art.boehnerwoods.gi.jpg caption="Woods will tee-off with GOP leader John Boehner Wednesday. "](CNN) - House Republican Leader John Boehner, a longtime golfer, will tee off with Tiger Woods and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at tomorrow's Pro-Am charity golf tournament at the A T&T National.
The Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation and is named after Tiger Wood’s late father. Thomas Dundon, the President and CEO of Drive Financial and Santander Consumer USA will be the fourth player, according to Boehner’s spokesman.
Boehner's handicap is seven and a half.
"He's always been a big fan and a big player," Boehner's communications Director Kevin Smith told CNN, but noted that he's had some back problems over the last year. Boehner occasionally combines golfing and fundraising during Congressional breaks, but tomorrow's outing will support local DC youth organizations.
But the GOP leader isn't the only member of Congress spending some time on the course during the Congressional recess. House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn played in an earlier Pro Am tournament ahead of the AT&T National on Monday, according to his spokeswoman Kristie Greco.
Although Woods is scheduled to play with the House Republican leader, he's kept his political leanings close to the vest.
S.C. Attorney General to review Sanford's travel records
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) - The attorney general of South Carolina on Tuesday asked the state law enforcement division to review Gov. Mark Sanford's travel records after the governor admitted to more visits with his mistress than previously disclosed.
"In light of the governor's disclosure of additional travel today, I have requested that SLED conduct a preliminary review of all Governor Sanford's travel records to determine if any laws have been broken or any state funds misused," Attorney General Henry McMaster said in a statement.
After returning last week from a secret trip to Argentina that his staff and wife didn't know about, the Republican governor admitted to an extramarital affair and said he had seen his mistress three times in the past year.
But he told The Associated Press on Tuesday he had met with Maria Belen Chapur seven times, including five visits in the past 12 months. Sanford also told the AP he'd "crossed lines" with other women, although Chapur was the only one he had sex with.
The review by law enforcement officials would be the first formal probe into whether Sanford abused his power while carrying on his affair.
President Obama reaches out to key Republican senator
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/18/art.snowe1218.gi.jpg
caption=" Sen. Olympia Snowe is an influential Republican on the Senate Finance Committee."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - As Al Franken became poised to claim the 60th Democratic seat in the Senate on Tuesday, President Obama reached out in a phone call to Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, a key member of the Senate Finance Committee whose vote could be decisive in passing the president's health care reform package.
Snowe is considered a moderate Republican and could serve as the 60th senator to support the president's proposal, since a handful of Democrats have expressed skepticism of the so-called "public option" to compete with private health insurance companies. Snowe told the AP Monday she would support a government-run plan only if private insurers failed to deliver affordable coverage first.
According to Snowe's office, Obama "expressed his desire to work with" the senator and solicited her input on health care reform.
"I reaffirmed to the President my commitment to ensuring the Finance Committee creates the best possible package to guarantee health security for all Americans," Snowe said in a statement.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the White House is not talking about any other calls President Obama may have made today regarding health care legislation.
Sen. Snowe's full statement after the jump.
Franken on Judiciary
(CNN) - Minnesota Sen.-elect Al Franken is set to have a busy first few weeks on the job.
The Democrat said Tuesday he's been told he will serve on the Judiciary Committee - the panel which will hear testimony from Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotmayor on her appointment to the high court.
Franken told reporters Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid also told him he will serve on the Senate Committee of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Obama congratulates Franken
(CNN) - President Obama issued a statement Tuesday congratulating Al Franken's victory in the Minnesota Senate race.
"I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.”
Breaking: Coleman concedes
(CNN) - Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman Tuesday officially conceded defeat in his 2008 reelection bid, hours after the state's high court paved the way for Democrat Al Franken's victory.
"I just had a conversation with Al Franken congratulating him on his victory," Coleman said in a press conference with reporters. "I told him it’s the best job he'll ever have representing Minnesota in the United States Senate.
"The Supreme Court has spoken, I will respect its decision, and abide by its results," Coleman also said.
Soldier: Obama told me 'we are going to get this done'
Related: Obama holds gay pride reception, vows to overturn 'unjust laws'
Updated: 5:59 p.m.
CNN Poll: Americans think Sanford should resign
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/26/art.sanford1.cnn.jpg
caption=" A new CNN poll reveals that 54 percent of Americans believe S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford should resign."]
(CNN) - A new national poll suggests that a majority of Americans think South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford should resign from office.
Sanford has admitted to a year long extramarital affair with a woman from Argentina. Last Wednesday the governor also acknowledged he did not tell his staff that he was in Argentina during a five-day period when his location was not known.
Fifty-four percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday think Sanford should step down, with 44 percent saying he should continue to serve as South Carolina governor. Sanford has a year and a half left in his second term as governor. He's term limited and can't run for re-election.
"There is virtually no difference between Republicans and Democrats on this matter," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Fifty-one percent of Democrats and 54 percent of Republicans want Sanford to step down."
Sen. Byrd released from hospital
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/05/19/art.byrd.gi.jpg
caption=" Sen. Robert Byrd was released from the hospital Tuesday after a six week stay."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Robert Byrd was released from the hospital Tuesday, after a six week stay that kept the 91-year-old West Virginia Democrat away from Capitol Hill.
A statement from Byrd's office said that he is "resting comfortably at home, where he will continue his recuperation and physical therapy." The statement did not say when the senator would return to work. The Senate is currently in recess for the Fourth of July holiday.
Byrd was hospitalized on May 15 with an infection and was expected to return to work after a few days. But the Senate's longest serving member developed a staph infection while being treated for his original infection.
Previous statements released by Byrd's office indicated that he was "resuming some of his official duties while recuperating, including signing several … bills as president pro tempore of the Senate, and working with staff on upcoming appropriations bills."
Byrd served in the House from 1953 to 1959 and moved across the Capitol to the Senate in 1959.
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