Recent News

By SEUNG MIN KIM, POLITICO – The Senate on Monday confirmed Mary Jo White as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing the former federal prosecutor to take control of the agency as it tries to finish key rulemakings required by the 2010 financial reform law and last year’s JOBS Act. The…

(CNN) — Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died Monday following a stroke, her spokeswoman confirmed. Britain’s only female prime minister, Thatcher served from 1979 to 1990 as leader of the Conservative Party. She was called the “Iron Lady” for her personal and political toughness. Thatcher retired from public life after a stroke in 2002…

By TARINI PARTI, POLITICO – Julianna Smoot was there from the very beginning of Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign, giving the Illinois senator a simple, yet daunting assignment: call a list of donors and convince them to pitch in as much as they could to a campaign expected to eventually lose to Hillary Clinton. Those donor…

By Nick Wing, Huffington Post – Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert now facing former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) in a race for the state’s 1st Congressional District in May, has Republicans publicly expressing worries about losing the long-red seat. With her business record, a strong campaign apparatus and an…

By CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin Caroline Kennedy has been asked to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Japan and is being vetted for the post, a Democrat familiar with the discussions told CNN on Monday. Kennedy, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, was a top backer of President Barack Obama…

By David Hawkings for Roll Call – Ashley Judd’s decision to stay out of next year’s Kentucky Senate race absolutely won’t deprive Democrats of the sort of young woman who’s well-funded and telegenic enough to topple Mitch McConnell. In fact, the chances have gone up on just such a scenario. That’s because the candidate who’s…

Ashley Judd has announced via Twitter that she will not run for Senate. “After serious and thorough contemplation, I realize that my responsibilities & energy at this time need to be focused on my family,” she wrote. Actress Ashley Judd has decided not to pursue a bid for the Kentucky Senate race, according to two…