Free Republic

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With President Barack Obama's political fortunes on the line, Democrats in Congress vowed on Monday to push healthcare reform through the Senate with or without Republican support. "No matter what happens we are going to enact healthcare reform by the end of the year," said Senator Charles Schumer. But that plan has run into problems. The health insurance industry is revving up its lobbying against sweeping reforms; Republicans decry as "socialist" a proposed government-run health plan; the public is wary of the cost. And the Democrats are divided over how to pay for it all. "I think...

Six months ago, embarking on the vice presidency, Joe Biden listed among his top priorities "restoring" the office to its proper constitutional role in the wake of the eight-year tenure of predecessor Dick Cheney. It's early to attempt a reliable assessment of his achievement of that goal. But at the half-year mark, he has from all appearances made a good start, if only because nobody is suggesting, as often was the case with Mr. Cheney, that Mr. Biden is really running the country. Nor has there has been talk of the vice president stealthily at work from an "undisclosed location,"...

SIX months ago, when President Obama and I took office, we were confronted with an economic crisis unparalleled in our lifetime. As the person leading the administration’s efforts to put the Recovery Act into effect, I want to set the record straight. The Recovery Act is not the cure for all our economic ills — no single piece of legislation could be. But how many government initiatives can point to both large numbers of projects coming in under budget and a Government Accountability Office finding that we are ahead of schedule in key areas? It is true that the act’s...

Favorable views of Biden have dropped from 59% to 48% since November PRINCETON, NJ -- In contrast to U.S. President Barack Obama, whose current favorable rating among Americans is similar to what it was just after the November election, Vice President Joe Biden has seen some erosion in his rating. As a result, Biden lags significantly behind Obama in popularity, and, at this stage of the new administration, has the lowest favorable rating of any of the most recent vice presidents. Forty-eight percent of Americans now view Biden favorably, down from 53% in January and 59% in the first few...

BELGRADE (AFP) — Serb ultra-nationalist lawmakers held up insulting signs in parliament Wednesday as US Vice President Joe Biden, considered a strong backer of Kosovo independence, arrived in Belgrade. "Biden, you Nazi scum, go home," said the posters brandished by opposition Radical Party deputies during the live national broadcast of a parliament sitting which coincided with the start of Biden's visit. The Radicals, who occupy around a fifth of places in the 250-seat assembly, then pasted the signs which also labelled Biden a "fascist" on a notice board and hallway.

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<p>Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ray Clatworthy and incumbent Democrat Sen. Joe Biden sparred Thursday night in a live radio debate that showcased the deep differences between the two.</p> <p>They differed on Social Security, they differed on homeland defense, they differed on tax cuts.</p>