Former VA secretary: Obama's ‘not taking responsibility’ for agency's misconduct
(CNN) - Former Veterans Affairs chief Jim Nicholson said President Barack Obama is "not taking responsibility" for the ongoing scandal that has rocked the agency under his administration's watch.
In an interview on Friday with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Nicholson also hit back at Obama’s sharp criticism of his tenure leading the VA, calling into question the former senator’s commitment to the cause when he severed on the Veterans Affairs Committee.
"He was on the committee but he never showed up," Nicholson said, appearing on "The Situation Room."
CNN's GUT CHECK for May 23, 2014
CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for May 23, 2014 | 5 p.m.
— n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle
OBAMA TAPS CASTRO FOR HUD, DONOVAN FOR OMB … President Barack Obama nominated San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to be his next secretary of Housing and Urban Development on Friday, a move that comes as part of a wider cabinet shakeup and has stepped up interest in the rising Democratic star. The 39-year old, three-term mayor first gained national recognition when he delivered the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention – the first Hispanic to do so … If confirmed by the Senate, Castro will replace Shaun Donovan, who the President will nominate as director of the Office of Management and Budget. Donovan is an original member of Obama's cabinet, starting with the president in 2009. – Jim Acosta and Dan Merica
Judge orders Michigan to place Rep. John Conyers back on ballot
(CNN) - A federal judge has ordered Michigan officials to place U.S. Rep. John Conyers back on the state's primary ballot.
State election officials had said the Democratic lawmaker had fallen short of requirements to make the ballot because two people collecting signatures for him were not registered voters, as required by state law.
Obama taps Castro for HUD, Donovan for OMB
Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama nominated San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to be his next secretary of Housing and Urban Development on Friday, a move that comes as part of a wider cabinet shakeup and has stepped up interest in the rising Democratic star.
The 39-year old, three-term mayor first gained national recognition when he delivered the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention - the first Hispanic to do so.
Rand Paul: It's a 'misnomer' to say McConnell isn't conservative
(CNN) - Rand Paul is defending his relationship with Mitch McConnell after helping his fellow Kentuckian defeat a tea party-backed challenger in a GOP Senate primary.
"I came out of the tea party movement. I'm very concerned about the debt. I'm very concerned about big government," Paul said on Friday. "But I think the misnomer is to think somehow Senator McConnell isn't. That's what his whole entire career has been predicated upon - fighting against big government."
FULL POST
Man strips naked in front of White House
Washington (CNN) – A man stripped down naked in front of the White House on Friday and, according to United States Secret Service, assaulted an officer who attempted to subdue him.
"Michel Bechard approached uniformed division officers at the White House and he proceeded to get fully undressed," George Ogilvie, spokesman for the Secret Service told CNN. "As uniformed division officers attempted to subdue him, he assaulted a uniform division officer and he was taken into custody."
Ethics panel to probe embattled Rep. Michael Grimm
(CNN) - The House Ethics Committee will formally investigate whether Rep. Michael Grimm violated any of its rules.
But the panel said it would defer its action for now at the request of the Justice Department, which is prosecuting the New York Republican.
Tongue firmly in cheek: Christie says again he’d love to run the Mets
(CNN) - Chris Christie, a diehard New York Mets fan, reiterated on Friday that he would happily run the National League baseball team, if given the chance.
"I would love to be general manager of the Mets," the New Jersey governor said on WFAN's "Boomer and Carton" sports radio show.
FULL POST
Three more charged in Mississippi GOP primary scandal
Updated 1:41 p.m. ET, 5/23/14
(CNN) - Police charged three more men in connection to the blogger who's been accused of taking a picture of Sen. Thad Cochran's wife in her nursing home bed and creating a political video against the longtime senator from Mississippi.
Authorities on Thursday arrested Mark Mayfield, an attorney and local tea party leader, and Richard Sager, an elementary school P.E. teacher and high school coach, according to The Clarion-Ledger newspaper. Police also charged a third individual, John Beachman Mary, but did not take him into custody because of "extensive medical conditions."
All three face conspiracy charges, the newspaper reported.
Obama: Midterm elections will decide the fate of immigration reform
(CNN) - President Barack Obama said Thursday night before a hometown Chicago crowd that it was up to Congress to move on immigration reform. He predicted that if Democrats don't win big in the midterm elections, the overhaul won't get done.
Obama told supporters at a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fund-raiser, "You have a President who is fighting for you in the White House."
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