Democrats see reason for hope in Senate races - The Washington Times

		Monday, April 9, 2012 Today's Top Stories
Democrats see reason for hope in Senate races A handful of Democratic Senate candidates are posting strong poll numbers in battleground states dominated by the GOP two years ago — giving that party hope that it can hang on to its slim advantage in the chamber. Eagerness seen as a vice in presidential veepstakes While Mitt Romney finally looks to have the Republican nomination within his grasp, the jockeying among the wannabes for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket is only now ramping up. Maryland bills, budget in race toward midnight The 2012 Maryland General Assembly is scheduled to close Monday with lawmakers working frantically to approve a budget and decide the fates of hundreds of bills in advance of the session's adjournment at the stroke of midnight. Child abuse shames and silences victims The child sex-abuse accusations against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky are staggering and yet familiar. Being 'Army strong' gets weak backing with Obama's strategy The Army is coming out of a decade of war beat up and strapped for cash. Report: Obamacare mandate isn't really an issue It's been squarely at the center of the policy and constitutional debates over President Obama's health care law, but some are arguing that the mandate to buy health insurance — and the penalties for people who don't — aren't hefty enough to matter in the real world anyway. March jobs report fuels party battles Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Sunday that Republicans would rather defeat President Obama than see the American economy improve. CURL: Carney is twisting himself into knots Sometimes, being the White House press secretary is a pretty unpleasant job — like being the spokesman for a coal company after a cave-in that kills nine and traps a dozen. Mubarak intel chief to run for president of Egypt The former intelligence chief of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak filed papers Saturday to be a candidate in the country's soon-approaching presidential election, a surprise move viewed by many as an attempt by Egypt's military rulers to promote one of their own and block a government takeover by Islamist parties. Gingrich not quite conceding race While Newt Gingrich is not officially dropping his presidential bid, the former House speaker indicated Sunday he would be willing to step aside for the Mitt Romney campaign if doing so helped ensure a Republican victory over President Obama. Inside the Beltway: Time for the annual White House Eggstravaganza There will be a bipartisan cast of thousands at the White House on Monday, liberating all from policy and campaign doldrums for a few hours, anyway. The 134th annual White House Easter Egg Roll is set to host 30,000 guests on the South Lawn to promote "health and wellness" through sport, dancing, cooking, storytelling and, uh, an egg roll. Easter worshipers celebrate a chorus of 'Alleluia' It was a deceivingly simple question. "What does 'Alleluia' mean?" Mike Wallace, longtime '60 Minutes' interviewer, dies at age 93 CBS newsman Mike Wallace, the dogged, merciless reporter and interviewer who took on politicians, celebrities and other public figures in a 60-year career highlighted by the on-air confrontations that helped make "60 Minutes" the most successful prime-time television news program ever, has died. He was 93. Indian, Pakistani leaders aim to normalize ties The leaders of India and Pakistan agreed in talks Sunday that their countries should adopt a step-by-step approach to resolve their differences and build on a recent thaw in their strained relations. Rocket in position on launch pad in N. Korea North Korean space officials have moved all three stages of a long-range rocket into position for a controversial launch, vowing Sunday to push ahead with their plan in defiance of international warnings against violating a ban on missile activity. Iran holds firm on nuclear 'rights' as talks loom When talks between Iran and world powers collapsed last year, Tehran quickly blamed the West for trying to trample its "nuclear rights." The Iranian line appears little changed — signaling that critical negotiations could begin this week where the impasse left off. Commentary MILLER: A community organizer's vision of America President Obama has quite a magician's skill for illusion. He launched a scathing attack on the House Republican budget crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, saying it would lead to violent crime, starving children, plane crashes, killing grandparents and cancer. All of this is to distract the public from his own plan for America in a second term, which not even a single House Democrat voted for. CARDENAS: Meet Latin America's next Hugo Chavez With Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returning to Cuba this week for more treatment in his battle with cancer, much speculation has begun about the future of his authoritarian, anti-American populist model in Latin America. Will his movement die with him, or will someone be there to pick up the banner when the strongman falls? OLSEN: Dangers of academia's 'indoctrination mills' Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum caused a bit of a stir last month when he labeled college campuses "indoctrination mills" that enforce a strict adherence to "politically correct left doctrine." For conservatives, Mr. Santorum might as well have called the sky blue. But from the way the media and liberal pundits pounced on his remarks, you'd think he had said something profoundly indecent. EDITORIAL: Obama's war on the courts Word seems to have gone out in liberal circles that Obamacare is in trouble with the Supreme Court. A systematic and unprecedented assault is undermining the integrity of the system in an attempt to defend this highly unpopular law. KNIGHT: Obama's bullying pulpit I don't know which was more embarrassing: Barack Obama trying to bully the Supreme Court - again - or The Washington Post trying to clean up after him. Other Recent Articles Muamba making 'strong, steady' progress Family Circle names court after King Bryant sits out Suns game with injured left shin Hong tackles Decker's stark, modern 'Traviata' AP Photos: Watson wins Masters in playoff With a 2 on 2, Oosthuizen gets a piece of history Hanson's shank part of 'tough day' at Augusta Mike Wallace, `60 Minutes' interrogator, dies Bruins ready to face Caps in start of Cup defense Arkansas does best to keep focus without Petrino Final book of Churchill trilogy coming this fall Guillen apologizes for Castro comment Autism may be linked to obesity during pregnancy Hudson star power to complicate murder trial Contracts expire for many at AT&T; talks continue		Most Read Stories SIMMONS: Bill Cosby weighs in on Trayvon Martin case CURL: Carney is twisting himself into knots Being 'Army strong' gets weak backing with Obama's strategy Democrats see reason for hope in Senate races Report: Obamacare mandate isn't really an issue OLSEN: Dangers of academia's 'indoctrination mills' Warren Sapp files for bankruptcy in Florida Eagerness seen as a vice in presidential veepstakes EDITORIAL: Obama's war on the courts CARDENAS: Meet Latin America's next Hugo Chavez Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors Political Potpourri Rock band Madison Rising supports Second Amendment, headlines NRA convention The blurred line of conservatism Sports Around Bubba Watson wins 2012 Masters in tie-breaker with Louis Oosthuizen Peter Hanson's second Masters has him leading with 65 on Day 3 TV Den Mike Wallace, muckraking TV journalist, dead at 93 Jenkins, Levy rule emotional Dancing With The Stars 2012 Rights So Divine A survivor explains the vulnerability of child sex trafficking victims How to combat sex trafficking in massage parlors For Advertising Opportunities Click Here