US: Putin “doubling down” on conquering Ukraine

The United States says Russia’s Vladmir Putin is not backing away from his invasion of Ukraine. After Putin’s year-end news conference, National Security Advisor John Kirby said it’s clear that the Russian leader is doubling down on his “goal of conquering Ukraine.” Kirby chastised the Republican-led House for leaving for the holidays without passing more military aid for Ukraine.

Biden speaks out about impeachment effort against him

President Biden is speaking out about the impeachment effort against him. After the Republican-led House authorized a formal impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden, the president issued a rare statement about the matter. He said “instead of doing anything to help make Americans’ lives better, [Republicans] are focused on attacking me with lies.” The GOP investigation into Biden family business dealings has raised ethical questions, but so far no hard evidence of corruption.

White House considers GOP border policy to get Ukraine aid

The Biden administration is considering Republican border policies in order to secure new aid for Ukraine. Top administration officials are trying to reach a last-minute deal for Ukraine military assistance by agreeing to Senate GOP demands to bolster U.S.-Mexico border policies. The impasse over the border threatens to delay or detail aid for Ukraine. Members of Joe Biden’s own Democratic Party are expressing concern about the policies under discussion, while Republicans see an opening to address the border crisis.

Four GOP presidential candidates to square off in fourth debate

Four candidates have qualified for the fourth Republican presidential debate. It’ll be the smallest debate stage so far this year for the Republican party. The RNC says Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie have qualified for this evening’s debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The candidates will be squaring off just under six weeks before the Iowa caucuses. As he’s done before, front-runner Donald Trump is skipping the debate. He’ll be holding a fundraiser in Florida instead.

White House continues push for more Ukraine aid

The Biden administration continues to make the case for additional aid to Ukraine. The White House warns Congress that the U-S will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of 2023. President Biden is requesting some 61-billion dollars in aid. But House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans insist on border policy changes in this country as part of any Ukraine assistance bill.

U.S. sends humanitarian supplies to Gaza

The United States has organized a second aid flight into Gaza. White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton says the U-S provided 36-thousand pounds of food and medical supplies. An Air Force C-17 aircraft delivered the items to Egypt, where they were to be transported into Gaza and distributed by United Nations agencies.

Biden’s job approval hovers at 40 percent – RealClearPolitics

U.S. blames Iran for Yemen’s attacks on vessels in Red Sea

The United States is blaming Iran for weekend attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the U-S holds Iran responsible for Sunday’s attacks on civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea. Sullivan said U-S officials were discussing establishing military escorts for ships in the Red Sea to ensure safe passage.

U.S. urges Israeli, Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks

The United States is urging Israeli and Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said efforts continue to get back to the bargaining table now that Israel has expanded its military offensive against Hamas. Sullivan said talks broke down when Hamas refused to release the remaining women hostages.

ND Gov. Burgum ends 2024 GOP bid for White House

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has ended his Republican presidential campaign. Since launching his White House bid in June, Burgum touted his priorities of energy, the economy and national security, as well as his small-town roots. But he failed to gain enough support nationwide to qualify for the third GOP debate after participating in the first two. Burgum blamed the RNC’s debate qualifications, accusing the party of “taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire.”

Biden faces Democrat pressure over Israel-Hamas war

Democrats in Congress are ramping up pressure on President Biden over the Israel-Hamas war. As the administration urges Israeli and Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks, President Biden is getting an earful from allies on Capitol Hill. Senator Bernie Sanders and a group of Democratic senators say they’re done “asking nicely” for Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza. They’re demanding assurances from the Israeli government. At risk is the president’s request for 14-billion dollars in aid for the Jewish state.

White House warns U.S. money for Ukraine is running out

The Biden administration warns that the U-S is running out of money to help Ukraine fight against Russia. In a letter to Congress, White House budget director Shalanda Young said U-S military assistance to Ukraine will run out by the end of the month. She urged lawmakers to approve tens of billions of dollars in additional aid, claiming that a failure to do so would “kneecap” Ukraine on the battlefield. The administration’s 61-billion dollar request is being resisted by Republicans who are demanding security changes at the U.S.-Mexico border.

A ballot write-in campaign for Joe Biden is underway in New Hampshire

A ballot write-in campaign for Joe Biden is underway in New Hampshire

VERBATIM:

Even though President Biden is the incumbent, the write-in campaign is being organized because his name will not be on New Hampshire’s primary ballot. That’s because the president pushed for South Carolina to be the first-in-the-nation primary. So Democrats are organizing a low-budget, write-in campaign aimed at preventing an embarrassing loss for the president that might fuel concerns about the strength of his reelection bid. GC reporting.

Dems launch Biden write-in campaign in New Hampshire

A ballot write-in campaign for Joe Biden is underway in New Hampshire. Even though President Biden is the incumbent, the write-in campaign is being organized because his name will not be on New Hampshire’s primary ballot. That’s because the president pushed for South Carolina to be the first-in-the-nation primary. So Democrats are organizing a low-budget, write-in campaign aimed at preventing an embarrassing loss for the president that might fuel concerns about the strength of his reelection bid.

RNC sidesteps Trump’s legal issues in nominating rules

The Republican National Committee is sidestepping Donald Trump’s legal issues when it comes to next July’s nominating convention. The RNC’s rules for next year’s convention in Milwaukee have been released, but the party leaves a major question unaddressed. With Trump under four criminal indictments, the rules don’t include any provisions if the party’s presumptive nominee is convicted of a felony. It’s unclear if GOP delegates could vote for a different candidate under such a scenario. Trump’s first trial is scheduled to begin in Washington in early March on charges that he unlawfully sought to overturn the 2020 election.

Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on Supreme Court, has died

The first woman to sit on the U-S Supreme Court has died. Sandra Day O’Connor made history as the first woman justice when she was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and confirmed to the nation’s highest court. She often was the swing vote in closely divided cases during her tenure. In a statement, the Supreme Court said O’Connor died of complications related to advanced dementia, probably Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory illness. O’Connor was 93.

Milwaukee offers first look at 2024 GOP convention site

Organizers of the 2024 Republican convention have reached a milestone in planning for next summer’s event. The GOP’s presidential nominating convention is more than seven months away. But hundreds of news media members got their first look at the convention site in downtown Milwaukee this week. Organizers met with the press to discuss logistics of covering the event to be held in July. Not only will Milwaukee be in the political spotlight next summer, the city is expected to see an estimated 200-million dollar impact for hosting the convention.

U.S. condemns deadly Hamas shooting in Jerusalem

The White House condemns the deadly shooting attack in Jerusalem [THU] that left at least three people dead. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the attack, which Hamas claimed responsibility for, “technically” didn’t violate the terms of the ongoing truce between Israel and Hamas, which only covers Gaza. But he said the shooting is a “stark reminder” of the enemy Israel is facing.Kirby also expressed hope that the Israel-Hamas truce can be extended several more days.

White House seeks extended Israel-Hamas cease-fire

The United States is pushing for the Israel-Hamas truce to be extended for several more days. The White House says negotiations to extend the cease-fire are taking place around the clock. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also condemned the Hamas-claimed attack that killed at least three people along a highway entering Jerusalem.

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger dead at 100

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has died at age 100. Kissinger was a giant in foreign policy, having served in both the Nixon and Ford administrations. He played a key role in getting the U.S. out of Vietnam and helped pave the way for formalized relations with China. Kissinger was both reviled and revered, drawing harsh criticism and earning a Nobel Peace Prize. The German-born diplomat remained active in diplomacy and consulting after his government service, occasionally attending White House meetings as an elder statesman.

Conservative Koch network endorses Nikki Haley in GOP primary

GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley has won the backing of a powerful and wealthy conservative organization. Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the powerful Koch network, has formally endorsed Haley’s 2024 White House bid. The group’s CEO says Haley “offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era.” It wants to help her defeat Donald Trump in the Republican primary and beat President Biden next November. With its endorsement, Americans for Prosperity promises to commit its grassroots support network and virtually unlimited funds to the Haley campaign.

Bidens to lead list of dignitaries at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral

President Biden, the first lady, and other well-known political leaders will be attending the funeral for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The Bidens, who are longtime friends of the Carters, will lead the dignitaries who are expected to attend this afternoon’s tribute service in Atlanta. Vice President Harris and her husband will also attend. The Carter Center says former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as former first ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump will be there.

White House urges Congress to approve aid for Israel, Ukraine

President Biden’s request for nearly 106-billion dollars in additional war aid is facing some obstacles in Congress. Some Republican lawmakers want to isolate the money for Israel. Others want to attach border security measures to the international aid. The National Security Council’s John Kirby says the funding is urgently needed. Kirby says it’s a critical time, especially for the Ukrainian army, with the winter months arriving.

U.S. says Hamas could benefit from cease-fire with Israel

The United States says the cease-fire in Gaza could benefit Hamas terrorists. The U-S welcomes the temporary truce, which has allowed the release of hostages and the delivery of more humanitarian aid to Gaza. But National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says there’s a “real risk” that Hamas will benefit from a longer pause in fighting to rest and resupply its fighters.