White House news stories on Newser

Lobbyists Clog White House All The Time

Kevin Spak — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:43:35 CDT

President Obama took office as perhaps the most anti-lobbying president ever, barring lobbyists from joining his administration and advisory boards. But the Washington Post looked over the White House visitor logs, and found that lobbyists still have plenty of access to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., with what it characterized as a...

Bill Clinton: Hillary Didn't Tell Me About bin Laden

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:45:40 CDT

So much for spousal privilege. On the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, Hillary Clinton yesterday revealed that her husband had no idea the raid was going on. Today on the Ellen DeGeneres Show the former president himself backs that up in a discussion about how he found out,...

White House Defends Drone Campaign

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:27:00 CDT

White House counterterrorism official John Brennan publicly described how al-Qaeda targets are chosen for drone strikes, the first time the Obama administration has described the widely known practice so openly and in such detail. Brennan, speaking in Washington today, said President Obama wants to be more transparent with the American...

1st Iran Nuke Talks 'Constructive'

Neal Colgrass — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:16:45 CDT

Negotiators on all sides are saying nice things after Iran and six world powers began nuclear talks with a meeting in Istanbul today, the New York Times reports. The discussion was "useful and constructive," said European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, leader of the talks. “We want now to...

White House to Augusta: Time to Admit Women

Matt Cantor — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:56:53 CDT

As controversy over the Augusta National Golf Club's men-only policy resurfaces, the White House is taking sides. President Obama "believes women should be admitted," says press secretary Jay Carney. It's "up to the club to decide," but Obama's "personal opinion is that women should be admitted to the club." Meanwhile,...

White House, Met Hop Aboard Google Art Project

Mark Russell — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:25:21 CDT

The White House's art collection, all 139 pieces, is being added to the Google Art Project, as part of a major expansion of Google's online art initiative, reports CBS News . Other collections being added include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery in London, and the...

Obama: 'Unelected' Justices Shouldn't Kill ObamaCare

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:42:50 CDT

President Obama stood up for health care reform today and took a swipe at "unelected" Supreme Court justices who might rule against Obamacare, the Washington Post reports. “Ultimately, I am confident the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was...

Michelle Obama to Appear on Biggest Loser

Dustin Lushing — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:30:05 CDT

The first lady is coming to prime time. Michelle Obama will appear on NBC's The Biggest Loser the next two Tuesdays, reports the Washington Post . In the first episode, Obama will appear via video on the weight-loss show, inviting Loser contestants to the White House. In the second, she meets...

Obama Gave Cameron ... a Grill?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:45:55 CDT

It's better than a gift card, but the White House's latest round of gifts for a foreign dignitary is raising a few eyebrows: President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have presented the British PM David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, with a wood and charcoal burning grill engraved with...