James Oliphant

Recent stories written by James Oliphant

A veteran and Iraq war opponent, Murtha leaves complicated legacy (2/9/2010)

WASHINGTON – John Murtha, the Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania and decorated former Marine whose fierce opposition to the Iraq war helped catalyze public sentiment against the conflict, died Monday. He was 77.

Obama answers critics' queries (1/30/2010)

BALTIMORE – In an unprecedented town hall meeting, President Barack Obama went toe-to-toe Friday with some of his fiercest critics – a ballroom-full of House Republicans – accusing them of derailing his health care overhaul while they complained about being shut out of the political process.

Republican candidates try on Brown coattails (1/23/2010)

WASHINGTON – Republican candidates for Congress are latching onto Scott Brown's bolt-from-the-blue win this week in the Massachusetts Senate race, with political outsiders and longtime officeholders alike casting themselves in a similar mold – or seeing Brown in their image.

Massachusetts Republican's victory shifts Senate lines (1/20/2010)

BOSTON – In a stunning blow to Democrats, Republican Scott Brown on Tuesday seized the Massachusetts Senate seat once held by Edward M. Kennedy, handing the GOP the crucial vote that could thwart President Barack Obama's far-reaching agenda, beginning with health care reform.

Mandated insurance has varied list of foes (1/6/2010)

WASHINGTON – If there is one thing in the proposed congressional health care overhaul that sets Michael Cannon's libertarian teeth on edge, it's the requirement that all Americans get health insurance.

Obama lays out details of jobs plan (12/9/2009)

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Tuesday presented the broad outlines of a new government effort to spur the creation of jobs, but he left the work of hammering out the specifics to Congress.

Palin kicks off book tour in Michigan (11/19/2009)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sarah Palin has been called the rock star of the Republican Party, and on Wednesday her supporters treated her like one.