Pawlenty to file lawsuit against health care law
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/19/art.tpawcpac0219.gi.jpg caption ="Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Tuesday that he will contest the new federal health care law."](CNN) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minnesota, announced Tuesday he intends to file suit against the new federal health care law.
Critics of the law argue that its requirement for individuals to buy health insurance violates the Constitution.
"The federal government is now requiring citizens under penalty of a fine to buy a good or a service, and we think that's an unprecedented overreach by the federal government into the lives of individual citizens," the governor said following a meeting on education reform.
Pawlenty, a potential 2012 presidential candidate, did not say whether he will pursue his own lawsuit or join legal challenges from 14 attorneys general filed last month.
GOP Rep. urges conservatives to complete census forms
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/01/art.taylor.gi..jpg caption ="Rep. McHenry is urging conservatives to fill out their census forms."]Washington (CNN) - Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-North Carolina, has a message for fellow conservatives on National Census Day: "I'm worried about this year's census."
In a post Thursday on the conservative Web site RedState, McHenry expressed concerns about "blatant misinformation" about the census "coming from otherwise well-meaning conservatives." Some on the right have claimed that the census is unconstitutional, he wrote. Others fear that its results will be politicized by the Obama administration.
"They are trying to do the right thing," McHenry wrote, "but instead they are helping big government liberals by discouraging fellow conservatives from filling out their census forms."
Pro-life group endorses Sue Lowden for Senate
(CNN) - The Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion rights organization, announced Tuesday it will endorse Republican front-runner Sue Lowden for U.S. Senate in Nevada.
"Right now there is a crying need for a pro-life woman's voice in the Senate and Sue Lowden is committed to being that voice," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the group's candidate fund. "[She] combines everything we are looking for: an articulate female spokesman with the courage to back it up with advocacy for the unborn and their mothers."
Lowden, the former Nevada Republican Party chairwoman, will face Danny Tarkanian and Sharron Angle in a June 8 primary for a chance to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in November.
A recent Mason-Dixon poll shows Lowden leading Tarkanian by nearly 20 points in the primary and the Senate's top Democrat by 13 points.
Catholics United ad targets pro-life Democrats
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/18/art.cu.ad.0318.gi.jpg caption =" Catholics United launched a television ad Thursday targeting pro-life Democrats who are undecided about health care reform."](CNN) - Claims that health care reform would use taxpayer dollars to fund abortions just aren't true, according to a new ad from a liberal Catholic organization.
The 30-second ad from Catholics United launches Thursday and targets pro-life legislators who are undecided on the Senate bill with this message:
"Analysts agree the reform bill prohibits federal funding for abortion. It's endorsed by pro-life advocates, like the Catholic Health Association…And it defends human life at all stages by covering 30 million uninsured…"
The Catholic group's six-figure ad buy will air in the districts of Democratic Reps. Christopher Carney and Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania, Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, Steve Dreihaus of Ohio, Daniel Lipinski of Illinois, Tom Perriello of Virginia and Bart Stupak of Michigan.
"It is our sincere hope that pro-life Americans will see through the false charges and lend their support to this important legislation," said Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United. "We are just days away from making history."
Blagojevich delivers Letterman's Top Ten
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/11/art.getty.blago.hand.jpg caption="Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich made an appearance on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' on Wednesday."](CNN) – Rod Blagojevich may have lost his job, but the former Illinois governor hasn't lost his sense of humor.
Blagojevich appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" Wednesday to present the show's Top Ten list. The category: "The top ten questions Rod Blagojevich asked himself before appearing on 'Celebrity Apprentice.'"
The former politician, who was impeached after he was accused of trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President Obama, delivered punchlines that focused more on his hair than his politics.
Blagojevich opened his performance with the number 10 question - "Can I get paid in shampoo?" - and ended the list with, "Will my hair get along with Trump's hair?"
But in between the fluffy hair jokes, Blagojevich found room for one or two politically-charged digs, including, "How come I'm not a governor and Paterson is?"
The former governor's late night appearance comes four days ahead of this season's "Celebrity Apprentice" premiere. As a cast member, Blagojevich follows in the footsteps of his wife, Patti, who appeared on NBC's "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here" last summer.
Read Blagojevich's entire Top Ten list after the jump:
'Don't tell Michelle,' Obama says
The president had Southern food in Georgia Tuesday and told reporters "Don't tell Michelle." (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
(CNN) – After his first presidential physical found an elevated cholesterol level, sweet tea and fried chicken are probably not what the doctor ordered. But that didn't stop President Obama from indulging in a lunch of Southern cuisine Tuesday in Savannah, Georgia, according to a pool report.
The president joked with reporters to keep quiet about his meal at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, a local restaurant whose menu includes macaroni and cheese, collard greens, fried chicken and biscuits, among other traditional Southern dishes.
"I don't want any lectures about my cholesterol," he said, according to the pool report. "Don't tell Michelle."
'Don't tell Michelle,' Obama says
The president had Southern food in Georgia Tuesday and told reporters "Don't tell Michelle." (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
(CNN) – After his first presidential physical found an elevated cholesterol level, sweet tea and fried chicken are probably not what the doctor ordered. But that didn't stop President Obama from indulging in a lunch of Southern cuisine Tuesday in Savannah, Georgia, according to a pool report.
The president joked with reporters to keep quiet about his meal at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, a local restaurant whose menu includes macaroni and cheese, collard greens, fried chicken and biscuits, among other traditional Southern dishes.
"I don't want any lectures about my cholesterol," he said, according to the pool report. "Don't tell Michelle."
Huckabee's daughter to manage Senate campaign
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/16/art.huckabee.file.gi.jpg caption="Mike Huckabee’s daughter will lead Arkansas Rep. John Boozman's Senate campaign."](CNN) – Sarah Huckabee, daughter of Mike Huckabee, will manage Arkansas Rep. John Boozman's Senate bid, according to the congressman's campaign.
Boozman, one of several Republicans hoping to unseat Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln, said that Huckabee has the qualities and experience to lead his campaign.
"Sarah has the experience, leadership qualities, and intimate knowledge of Arkansas I'm looking for in a campaign manager," the congressman said.
Before joining Boozman's campaign, Huckabee directed her father's political action committee HuckPAC and was the political director of his 2008 presidential campaign.
Obama: NBA coach is a 'Zen master'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/01/25/art.bolakers0125.gi.jpg caption="President Obama greeted the Los Angeles Lakers at the White House Monday."]
Washington (CNN) – Can legendary NBA basketball coach Phil Jackson teach Congress a thing or two about teamwork? A certain basketball aficionado seems to think so.
At a White House event Monday, President Obama asked Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson for a little help on the teamwork front. He described Jackson, who coached the Lakers to the 2009 NBA championship, as the "Zen master."
"I was hoping that, coach, you were going to bring some books for Republicans and Democrats in Congress, maybe to get them to start playing like a team together," said Obama, an avid basketball player. "Coach is famous for passing out books and helping people get the job done."
Jackson is known for giving his players books to read before they travel for away games. Last week, as the Lakers prepared to spend eight games away from home, Jackson handed out Obama's "Dreams from My Father" and his own book "Sacred Hoops," among a handful of other titles to his players, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Former President George H.W. Bush to hit the campaign trail
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/05/14/art.hutchison.gi.jpg caption="Former President George H.W. Bush will campaign for Kay Bailey Hutchison."](CNN) - Former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush will endorse Texas gubernatorial candidate Kay Bailey Hutchison on Friday, according to Hutchison's campaign.
The endorsement is set to occur at a press conference at the former president's office in Houston.
Hutchison, in her fourth term in the U.S. Senate, faces incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in a Republican primary in March.
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