president news stories on Newser

Lincoln Letter to Boy on Sale for $60K

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 9:15:12 CST

When 8-year-old George Patten was mocked by classmates in 1861 who didn't believe he'd met Abraham Lincoln, his teacher wrote to the president seeking to expose the boy's tall tale. Lincoln instead sent the boy a letter confirming that they had met the previous year. That document, believed to be...

Palin Not Fit for Presidency: Poll

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:43:18 CST

With a blockbuster memoir and national tour, Sarah Palin is again grabbing headlines. But does she have what it takes for a 2012 presidential bid? The answer is a resounding “no,” according a CNN and Opinion Research poll. Only 28% believe she’s qualified for the nation’s top job, and 70%...

Palestinians' Abbas May Not Seek Reelection

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:16:40 CST

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not seek reelection next year, insiders say. Abbas has seen his credibility with Palestinians damaged during peace negotiations with the US and Israel, now stalled. “The president insists on not running in the upcoming election,” an official tells the Guardian , though some believe the move...

College Bosses Earn Record $1M+ Pay

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 5:14:00 CST

Lean times can go to the back of the class when it comes to college presidents. A record 23 of them raked in more than $1 million last year, up from nine in 2007. Not so surprisingly, many of presidents reigned at institutions among the 58 which charged more than...

Rumors Raise Concerns About Mandela's Health

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:14:14 CDT

Nelson Mandela is increasingly out of the public eye, raising questions about his health. The first black president of South Africa “recently decided to cut back his engagements even further and spend more time with his family,” the head of his foundation tells the...

Sarko's $400K Shower Steams French

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:58:42 CDT

The French Senate is perhaps understandably miffed at the outrageous price tag of Nicholas Sarkozy’s 6-month stint as president of the European Union. The half-year job of hosting meetings and events appears to have cost $262 million, which is borne mostly by the host nation, an official tells the BBC....

Fox News CEO Rules Out Presidential Bid in 2012

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:30:48 CDT

Roger Ailes won’t run for president in 2012, despite appeals from friends and associates. The Fox News CEO says he thinks he’ll serve the nation better in his current role: “This country needs fair and balanced news more now than ever before, so I’m going to decline a run for...

Obama, Bush 41 Tout Public Service

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:07:35 CDT

A bipartisan call for public service got a warm reception today at Texas A&M, where George HW Bush welcomed President Obama and 44 hailed 41 as "an inspiration to us all." At a forum celebrating the 20th anniversary of the former president's Points of Light Institute, Obama—who was met...

Erratic Obama Cheapens the Presidency

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 6:03:15 CDT

Barack Obama has been in office for nearly a year, but for Richard Cohen, he's still "the candidate-in-full," unaware that he is already president. Watching Obama alongside Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy last week, the Washington Post columnist perceived "a faux Cuban missile crisis"—and a president dangerously eroding his...