CNBC and the New York Times
Political writer for the New York Times and chief Washington correspondent for CNBC; former senior contributing writer for the Wall Street Journal
PROFILE
John Harwood
Guest
FROM John Harwood
To the Point
Obama's Goes All-in with His Budget The economic crisis may have increased the American appetite for government intervention, and President Obama’s budget calls for intervention on a massive scale. Will his public support last long enough for him to get it enacted? “Whatever else it is, President Obama’s budget is a political gamble of the first order.” That’s according to John Harwood, who writes for the New York Times . He’s also Chief Washington correspondent for CNBC.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Democrats' Race after the Pennsylvania Primary "Good night, not goodbye for Clinton" reads the Los Angeles Times headline today. Hillary Clinton won a decisive ten-point victory in yesterday's presidential primary in Pennsylvania , but is simply winning no longer good enough for the Clinton campaign? Can she win big enough in the nine remaining contests to catch up with Barack Obama in elected delegates and the overall popular vote? With neither candidate able to win the Democratic presidential nomination through the primary process, when and how will the super-delegates pick a winner?
To the Point
The Democrats' Race after the Pennsylvania Primary "Good night, not goodbye for Clinton" reads the Los Angeles Times headline today. Hillary Clinton won a decisive ten-point victory in yesterday's presidential primary in Pennsylvania , but is simply winning no longer good enough for the Clinton campaign? Can she win big enough in the nine remaining contests to catch up with Barack Obama in elected delegates and the overall popular vote? With neither candidate able to win the Democratic presidential nomination through the primary process, when and how will the super-delegates pick a winner?
To the Point
Congress Votes for a Timeline in Iraq After House approval last night, the Senate today passed the Iraq spending bill that President Bush has promised to veto. Meantime, today's poll by NBC and the Wall Street Journal shows 56% to 37% public support for the withdrawal timetables the President will be rejecting. In a White House effort to sway votes against the bill, the top commander, in Iraq gave closed-door briefings to both the House and the Senate. Today General David Petraeus told reporters the "surge" is making progress. What happens next, when the White House and Congress finally start working toward compromise? Is the "surge" working? Is the war already "lost" from a military standpoint or is victory still possible? How important is public opinion?
To the Point
Libby Verdict Strikes Another Legal Blow to Bush Administration The former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney faces up to 25 years in federal prison. Lewis "Scooter" Libby has been convicted on four of five counts of obstructing justice, perjury and lying to the FBI; he was acquitted on the count of making false statements to the FBI in a conversation about Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper. The case stemmed from efforts to discredit a critic of the rationale for war in Iraq. One juror called Libby, "the fall guy." We join journalists for an update today's jury verdict, to hear how each side responded and assess the political consequences.
To the Point
Bush Says Democrats Want to Leave Iraq Before Job Done Since Joe Lieberman lost the Democratic primary in Connecticut, Republicans have accused them of being soft on national security. At his news conference this morning, President Bush reminded the American people of the “consequences of leaving Iraq before the job is done.” John Harwood, Washington correspondent for CNBC and contributing writer to the Wall Street Journal , puts the President's comments in the context of the November elections.
Recommended
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.