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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 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?
Recommended
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
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?
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.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.