April 11th, 2012
08:40 PM ET
Women pivotal in campaign 2012 Ladies have seen their share of political attention this season, and they may have men – specifically white men – to thank. Recent polling shows President Barack Obama with a double-digit lead over Romney among women voters, an edge which some Democrats attribute to a GOP 'war on women.' Obama and expected Republican nominee Mitt Romney have each been appealing to women voters, with the president's reelection campaign looking at a ceiling of support among white males. He lost that voting bloc in 2008 to GOP candidate John McCain, 53% to 41% in CNN exit polls, though President Obama’s standing was above historical levels of Democratic support among white male voters. Read the full story over at the Ticker.  Commerce Secretary John Bryson speaks during a session organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in Mumbai on March 29, 2012.
April 11th, 2012
08:22 PM ET
New Report on the Importance of Protecting Creative Ideas WASHINGTON (CNN) – The protection of intellectual property is vital to virtually every aspect of the U.S. economy, according to a new report released by the Department of Commerce. The report, titled “Intellectual Property and the U.S. Economy: Industries in Focus,” highlights many industries and exports that intellectual property supports, concluding that nearly every sector of the U.S. economy relies on or uses some aspect of intellectual property. IP refers to the creative processes of innovation and introduction of new ideas into the economy. It includes patents, trademarks, and copyrights but also extends to ideas and the creation of words, phrases, and designs. According to Commerce Secretary John Bryson, industries affected by intellectual property account for more than 40 million jobs, 61% of exports and more than $775 billion in goods and services. At an event in Washington DC on Wednesday, Bryson said that protecting these rights is key to keeping the United States competitive. “It's clear that intellectual property protection is more critical than ever,” the commerce secretary said. “When Americans know their ideas will be protected, they have greater incentive to pursue advances in technologies. That helps keep us competitive and makes us competitive into the future.” FULL POST 
April 11th, 2012
07:06 PM ET
Obama Raises Nearly $1 Million in DC After raising just under $2 million at three fundraisers in Florida on Tuesday, President Obama was at it again with a fundraiser in Washington DC on Wednesday evening. The closed-press event was held at the W Hotel across from the White House. A campaign official confirmed that approximately 20 supporters attended the event, each paying $40,000 for a ticket, meaning the president raised at least $800,000. The maximum an individual is allowed to contribute to the Obama Victory Fund – a joint fundraising committee of Obama for America and the Democratic National Committee – is $35,800. This is due to donation limits set by the Federal Election Commission allowing a maximum individual donation of $30,800 to a political party committee per year and a $2,500 maximum individual donation to a candidate per election. The president is allowed to collect money for both the general election and his uncontested run for the Democratic nomination. According to the campaign, any money that the president raises at the W on Wednesday above the legal limits would go to several state Democratic parties.  CNN photojournalist Khallil Abdallah (front left) was one of three CNN photojournalists who won first place honors in the White House News Photographers Association's The Eyes of History 2012 photo contest. The winners visited the White House today to have their picture taken with the president.
April 11th, 2012
04:44 PM ET
Three CNN Photojournalists Win WHNPA AwardsOn Wednesday an august crowd of visitors was seen gathered in the White House briefing room preparing for a visit with the president. But it wasn’t the traditional group of politicians or business executives. Instead it was none other than several members of the White House press corps. These folks were first place winners in the White House News Photographers Association’s The Eyes of History 2012 photo competition. Each winner gets to come to the White House for a photo with the President to be used later in the association's awards book and for promotional purposes. The WHNPA was founded in 1921 by 17 still and motion photographers who were frustrated by the limited access they were given to cover the business of Washington DC. Soon after, President Warren G. Harding created the first press room for photographers and the group quickly began gaining access to more events throughout government. The WHNPA's stated goal is to “protect and promote photographers' interests in pursuing their mission,” and since 1941 the group has honored the best in photojournalism. Its contest has expanded over the years, and this year three CNN employees were among the group of winners at the White House today. Photojournalist Khalil Abdallah won first place in the spot news editing category for a story he shot and edited in Libya titled “Rape Victim.” Photojournalist John Bodnar won first place in the sports video photography category for a story he shot on the Potomac River and co-edited with CNN’s Joann Sierra titled “Keep Rowing.” And Photojournalist Bethany Swain won first place in presidential editing for a piece she shot and edited titled “George Washington’s Christmas Camel.” Congratulations! 
April 11th, 2012
08:24 AM ET
POTUS' Day Ahead: Buffett Rule week continues It's day two of the president's push for the so-called "Buffett Rule," the proposal to compel any taxpayer making north of $1 million per year to pay at least a 30 percent tax rate (currently, many do not because a majority of these people's income tends to derive from gains on investments, which are generally taxed at 15 percent). In an event today at the White House, Obama will meet with millionaires who are bringing their secretaries in tow. These secretaries, like Buffett's, pay a higher tax rate than the millionaires themselves because of the structure of the current tax code. Senate Democrats are putting the proposal up for a vote in the coming days but it is not expected to go anywhere, a political reality of which the White House is surely aware. This has led to expected charges from Republicans that the president is using "official speeches" (read: paid for by taxpayers) to play election year politics. Later Wednesday, the president will meet with another group of millionaires, this time for an intimate 20-person fundraiser at the W Hotel. Each participant is shelling out $40 thousand to attend. Full schedule after the jump: |
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