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Associated Press
Ken Thomas covers the White House for Associated Press.
PROFILE
Ken Thomas
Guest
FROM Ken Thomas
To the Point
America's fourth-largest city is drowning Friday evening, Hurricane Harvey hit Rockport, Texas with 130 mile-an-hour winds, essentially destroying a city of 10,000 people. Since then, the storm was downgraded, but it moved East to the city of Houston, where it’s been hovering since — dropping more rain than Houston has ever seen before — creating 5500 refugees already. Thousands have been rescued with thousands more still at risk as first responders are being sent in from other parts of the country. As if record-breaking rainfall wasn’t enough, massive releases are needed from two giant reservoirs — even though they’ll make flooding worse. We update an unprecedented disaster due in part to the failure of long-term planning.
To the Point
America's new president baffles the world When it comes to foreign policy, the Trump Administration is speaking with many voices. In Europe last weekend, Vice President Pence and Defense Secretary Mattis had different messages. Secretary of State Tillerson has said almost nothing at all. And nobody knows what President Trump knows -- or whether he'll set the US in new and different directions with unexpected tweets or unscripted comments. He's already had to replace one National Security Advisor with another as the administration veers between traditional positions and radical change.
To the Point
A nasty campaign for the White House is almost over The last few days may seem like forever, with candidates, surrogates and new TV and Internet commercials almost impossible to avoid. Donald Trump is telling himself to "stay on point," which means claiming, untruthfully, that Hillary Clinton is under a "criminal investigation." He’s trying to lower the turnout in urban centers, while Clinton is trying to increase it -- claiming that Trump is biased against blacks and Latinos. Do early voting and last minute polls mean the dynamic is really changing with so little time left to go?
To the Point
The Bernie Sanders Phenomenon: How Long Will It Last? Less than 15 months ago, Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders made a 10-minute announcement to a few reporters and hustled back into the Senate. Since then, millions have felt "the Bern," massive crowds have turned out, and Sanders has gotten enough votes to seriously contend for the Democratic nomination. Now he wants to define the issues and change the rules at this summer's convention. Will his supporters hold their noses and vote for Hillary Clinton? Can the campaign that came out of nowhere really become a "movement?"
To the Point
Democrats Campaign Furiously Up to Primary Day As Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are campaigning furiously today in California, it looks like the Democrats could be in for one of those this year. Sanders says he will carry on — regardless of whether he wins or loses tomorrow's primary.
To the Point
The Democratic Party: Divided Again Bernie Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in Michigan yesterday. It's already being called, " One of the greatest upsets in modern political history ." That's not just from Sanders' campaign but respected pollsters -- now trying to figure out why they were so wrong. In advance of the voting, With another debate tonight in Miami, Democrats are figuring how to keep the party together as the battle goes on. Clinton's still likely to have the delegates needed to win the nomination. Can she avoid repeating the mistakes of past divided conventions?
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To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.