Gas numbers game is a loser for Obama - The Washington Times

		Thursday, April 5, 2012 Today's Top Stories
Gas numbers game is a loser for Obama President Obama's poll numbers are up and the country's unemployment figures are down - but $4 gas poses a potent threat to the incumbent's re-election bid, polls show. Romney tells press to uncover Obama's secrets Mitt Romney urged the country's news editors on Wednesday to delve more deeply into what he said were President Obama's secret second-term plans, telling them they have a duty to "do the seeking" to expose what the White House has in store. Stormy weather for solar firms In terms of public image, the solar industry isn't having much fun in the sun lately. Social media users send out SOS to Red Cross Moments after the first cable news reports of tornadoes ripping through Texas on Tuesday, a map of the state began blinking red on a screen in the Red Cross' new social media monitoring center in Washington, D.C. Lead terrorist in Pakistan taunts U.S. for $10M reward A day after Washington placed a $10 million bounty on his head, a terrorist leader in Pakistan taunted the United States at a news conference Wednesday, as Pakistani officials asked for "concrete evidence" against a man who says he runs a charity. Effort to recall D.C. mayor is dropped A D.C. man who was organizing a recall of D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray and council Chairman Kwame R. Brown because of ethics scandals that hit shortly after their election in 2010 has abandoned his effort. Santorum plans on winning home state of Pennsylvania Despite another disappointing primary night this week, Rick Santorum wants to remind Mitt Romney and GOP leaders that the presidential nomination is not sewn up and that this month's Pennsylvania primary is his campaign's make-or-break contest. CURL: Divide and conquer: Obama knows exactly what he's saying President Obama's remarks on the pending Supreme Court decision on his health care mandate weren't aimed at the justices, but at uninformed Americans, especially liberals. Hoodie-wearing pastor attends White House Easter breakfast A Chicago bishop attending an Easter prayer breakfast at the White House on Wednesday was wearing a hoodie in apparent solidarity with Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager who was fatally shot by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in Florida. Conservatives ally for a reset of election expectations Some influential conservative thinkers have concluded that Mitt Romney's struggle to ignite voter enthusiasm reflects a more serious problem for Republicans in setting unrealistic expectations for their presidential nominee. Inside the Beltway: Counting Rubio's rebuffs Sen. Marco Rubio must be weary of the phrase "I'm not going to be vice president." He's said it enough. The affable Florida Republican has spent months dissuading fans, voters and rabid journalists from speculating on the possibilities. Now Mr. Rubio is down to this stark seven-word phrase to get his point across. Scientists build robot 'jellyfish' fueled by sea water Scientists funded by the U.S. Navy have developed a robot "jellyfish" — a foot-long submarine that runs on seawater and could be used on spy missions. Yes, Olbermann is like a $10 million chandelier: Fragile and vastly overpriced On initial review, the metaphor sounded ridiculous. There was Keith Olbermann, fired from his much-hyped, short-lived gig on Current TV, speaking with David Letterman on Tuesday night, characteristically bombastic in a televised mea sorta-culpa. Obama takes a break for some bipartisanship President Obama this week is showcasing two bipartisan bills he helped power over the finish line in Congress, inviting Republicans to the White House to celebrate one of the few brief moments of bipartisan unity in a politically contentious election year. 9/11 conspirators' military trial nears as charges refiled The Pentagon on Wednesday announced formal charges against the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, and four co-conspirators and called for a joint military trial that could result in the death penalty for all five men. First 200 Marines arrive in Australia for Asia mission Two hundred U.S. Marines arrived Wednesday at their new base in Darwin, Australia, the first of 2,500 that eventually will be deployed there as part of the Pentagon's effort to increase the U.S. military presence in Asia. Commentary EDITORIAL: Mr. Obama, you're no Ronald Reagan Well, there they go again. While criticizing the new Republican budget plan on Tuesday, President Obama invoked the Gipper. "Ronald Reagan," he said, "who, as I recall, was not accused of being a tax-and-spend socialist, understood repeatedly that when the deficit started to get out of control - that for him to make a deal - he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases." TAUBE: Helen Thomas uncensored Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has made many foolish decisions in past negotiations with the United States and Israel. Yet his decision to honor disgraced former reporter Helen Thomas really takes the cake. ALLEN: Virginians are paying too much at the pump No matter where I am in Virginia, a top concern on people's minds these days is punishingly high gasoline prices. We've all felt the shock at gas stations. To fill a 20-gallon tank costs an additional $40 or more than it did just three years ago. Heck, it costs $20 to fill just a 5-gallon gas can for grass cutting. TYRRELL: Mitt, the normal guy There are some campaign advisers who would counsel former Gov. Mitt Romney to jog tirelessly on the campaign trail, probably in short pants and with a catchy T-shirt emblazoned with some memorable phrase, a la Al Gore and Bill Clinton. EDITORIAL: A better World Bank pick The World Bank will be interviewing candidates for its next president in a process meant to be open, transparent and merit-based. President Obama's nominee, Jim Yong Kim, president of Dartmouth College, has the inside track, though developing-country aspirants, such as Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, are better qualified. There are also many Americans who would make a better choice. 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