Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Wednesday, August 17, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Promotions of 'Fast and Furious' officials draw Texan's wrath A senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday described as "inconceivable" a Justice Department decision to promote key Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) personnel who oversaw the controversial "Fast and Furious" weapons investigation that allowed hundreds of guns to be walked into Mexico. Bush aides' sniping exposes a Texas rivalry with Perry A smoldering Texas political rivalry broke onto the national stage Tuesday as aides close to former President George W. Bush took potshots at the just-announced candidacy of Rick Perry, who succeeded Mr. Bush as governor in Austin 10 years ago. Panetta sees no need to ease drone strikes Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta on Tuesday rejected calls for the United States to throttle back the aggressive military campaign of drone strikes against al Qaeda and other targeted terrorists in Pakistan's tribal areas, in response to criticism of the strikes by a retired head of U.S. intelligence. Computer lab's Chinese-made parts raise spy concerns A U.S. supercomputer laboratory engaged in classified military research concluded a recent deal involving Chinese-made components that is raising concerns in Congress about potential electronic espionage. Two Democratic senators survive final Wisconsin recall After falling short of recapturing the state Senate majority last week, Democrats came up big winners in Tuesday night's final Wisconsin recall election, retaining two seats in hotly contested districts that drew record voter turnout and unprecedented spending. Obama: Tea-party GOP blocking U.S. recovery A day after clashing with a tea party activist, President Obama Tuesday told crowds in Iowa that it was "a faction in Congress" that was to blame for blocking economic progress. Promotions of 'Fast and Furious' officials draw Texan's wrath A senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday described as "inconceivable" a Justice Department decision to promote key Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) personnel who oversaw the controversial "Fast and Furious" weapons investigation that allowed hundreds of guns to be walked into Mexico. Gray wants big turnout at King events to back self-rule D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray urged residents Tuesday to attend events preceding the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial that highlight the city's efforts to achieve statehood and more autonomy from Capitol Hill. Perry, Romney have Virginia voters' attention Virginia Republicans appear to be casting an early gaze toward two governors — Rick Perry of Texas and Mitt Romney, formerly of Massachusetts — as the field for their party's presidential nomination sharpens into focus, state Republicans and political observers said Tuesday. Health coverage, rates rise in Massachusetts Five years after Gov. Mitt Romney signed Massachusetts' groundbreaking health care legislation, it has met its chief goal of extending insurance coverage to most residents - but with costs rising faster than inflation, lawmakers face the challenge of how to pay for it all. Maryland begins process to legalize medical marijuana A Maryland commission will take its first step Wednesday toward developing a plan to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Suit against FEC challenges probe of Fincher's campaign finances Weeks after the Federal Election Commission closed a campaign finance probe of Rep. Stephen Lee Fincher, Tennessee Republican, a political rival is suing the regulatory agency for failing to enforce federal law. Fitch keeps U.S. credit rating at AAA The Fitch Ratings agency on Tuesday affirmed its AAA credit rating for the federal government, giving the U.S. a boost just two weeks after another ratings agency marked it down for the first time in history. House attorneys: Marriage law constitutional Attorneys for the House of Representatives this week asked a federal court to throw out a case against the Defense of Marriage Act, saying the 1996 law is both constitutional and rational. Web shopping on rise in wake of higher fuel costs More shoppers are hitting the Internet instead of the mall fueling an online purchasing boon that observers credit to rising prices at the gas pump. HURT: Welcome to the Washington tea party Michele Bachmann's commanding victory in Iowa over the weekend was a hard, quick punch in the nose to Washington. Commentary MILLER: Primetime for Perry Rick Perry's entrance into the presidential race is a game-changer. In just two days, the Texas governor leapt ahead of frontrunner Mitt Romney by double digits. The former Massachusetts governor still has important backing from the Republican establishment, which makes him a formidable candidate, but his task became more difficult the second Mr. Perry threw his 10-gallon hat into the ring. EDITORIAL: Obama the biofool Leftists see the military more as a playground for kooky ideas than as the primary responsibility of the federal government. Consider the scheme President Obama announced Tuesday that will have the armed forces devote a great deal of time, money and energy to switch to so-called advanced biofuels. Underneath the trendy "green" label, however, is a classic example of pork-barrel politics. LUKAS: Rick Perry brings presidential pop Finally, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has officially entered the Republican presidential primary. Political handicappers have long noted the strengths he would bring to a match-up against President Obama. In particular, the Texas economy has been one of the country's few bright lights. Over the past decade, Texas has created half of the nation's jobs, and since 2008, nearly 4 out of every 10 jobs. If the entire nation matched Texas' 8 percent unemployment rate, nearly 2 million more Americans would have jobs. NUGENT: Proven results trump hope and change No doubt there is a foggy malaise hovering over the country. Americans have lost faith in our president, consumer confidence is bottoming out, unemployment remains high, the debt keeps rising, the real estate market remains soft, and the stock market is sputtering like an out-of-tune country-western steel guitar. CROMBEZ: Declining fortunes of the left Throughout Europe, the left is in dire straits, being trounced in national elections and thrown out of office. Just five of the European Union's 27 member states have governments led by the left, and the left appears set to lose power in Spain, the only large member state that has such a government. Other Recent Articles Review: Spurlock starts an original series on Hulu McDaniels' system off to fast start in St. Louis SKoreans sue Apple over iPhone user information Judge throws out suit against 'The Help' author Winnipeg Jets C Rypien found dead in home Anti-corruption group advises FIFA on reforms Montel Williams in group seeking marijuana license Hey tapir, jaguar, smile! You're on Candid Camera Rocker Mellencamp's divorce from model Irwin final IndyCar to hear 2 protests over Sunday's results A-Rod takes another step toward return Those who know Woods' game: He's down, not out Report: Players got gifts from Miami booster Team official: Nets to attend Kardashian wedding Addiction a brain disorder, not just bad behavior		Most Read Stories Inside the Beltway Obama souvenir sales in tailspin PICKET: (audio) Lieberman unsure he'll support Obama in 2012 Obama calls for tax hikes, chides GOP foes MILLER: Obama's Bus Force One Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors Politics of Raising Children Rick Perry America: A nightmare for families and education Kymberly Wimberly: The McGehee valedictorian tells her story The Political Pro-Con Tim Pawlenty, a "top tier" candidate leaves the race Amidst the chaos, Ron Paul shines through Vasko Kohlmayer's Globe What happens when the global money standard falls apart? 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