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.

White House welcomes Israel-Hamas cease-fire extension

The White House welcomes a two-day extension to the Israel-Hamas cease-fire. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says a longer pause in the fighting will allow more hostages to be released. Kirby also says the cease-fire has paved the way for a “surge of humanitarian assistance” into Gaza. The number of Americans unaccounted for is under 10 and the U-S has little to no information on their condition.

White House seeks extension of Israel-Hamas cease-fire

President Biden said the U-S and other negotiators are working hard to extend the Israel-Hamas cease-fire. At a weekend news conference, the president described the negotiations as a day-by-day, hour-by-hour process and said he would continue working until all hostages were free. Mr. Biden noted, however, that “nothing is guaranteed.” He welcomed the release of four-year-old Abigail Edan, the first U.S. hostage to be released under terms of the cease-fire.

Biden welcomes release of 4-year-old American hostage

President Biden welcomed the release of a 4-year-old American girl held hostage by Hamas. After Abigail Edan was safely back in Israel, the president said, “Thank God she’s home.” The four-year-old, whose parents were killed in the October 7th Hamas attack, has dual Israeli-U.S. citizenship. She was the first U.S. hostage to be released under terms of the cease-fire. At a news conference, Mr. Biden said what Abigail endured the last few weeks is “unthinkable.” The White House said later that the president spoke by telephone with members of the girl’s family in the United States and Israel.

Texas, Virginia, Utah to host 2024 presidential debates

Three presidential debates have been announced for next year’s general election. In the run-up to the 2024 election, Texas, Virginia, and Utah will host presidential debates. Texas State University will host the first one in September, followed by debates at Virginia State University and the University of Utah in October. There will be one vice presidential debate in Pennsylvania. The nonpartisan, nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates says all debates will run for 90 minutes. Details about the format and moderators will be announced later.

Americans divided over amount of U.S. aid to Ukraine

Americans are divided over the amount of aid the U-S is sending to Ukraine. Forty five percent of those surveyed think the U-S government is spending too much on aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia. According to the AP-NORC poll, more than one-third of adults say the current spending is “about the right amount.” In Congress, conservative Republicans are rebuffing efforts from President Biden to approve additional assistance for Ukraine. Since last month, the White House has been asking lawmakers to pass more than 61 billion dollars in new aid for the Ukrainians. GC, Wash.

Influential Iowa Christian leader endorses DeSantis for president

Ron DeSantis received the endorsement of an influential Christian leader in Iowa this week. Bob Vander Plaats, who heads the Family Leader organization, threw his support behind the Florida governor. Vander Plaats is a well-known, pro-life evangelical and has endorsed the eventual winner in every GOP Iowa caucus since 2008. But none of those candidates became the Republican party’s presidential nominee. DeSantis also won the recent endorsement of Iowa’s popular governor. In response, Donald Trump’s campaign said neither endorsement will save DeSantis.

Biden administration proposes more pay for Head Start teachers

The Biden administration is proposing higher salaries for low-paid early childhood teachers. Head Start programs that care for the country’s poorest children are struggling nationwide with staffing shortages. On average, the teachers make about 39-thousand dollars a year — far less than educators with similar credentials. A new plan from the Health and Human Services Department would require Head Start programs to offer teachers salaries and benefits comparable to local public school teachers. However, the number of kids in classrooms could shrink, if teacher salaries are raised and Congress doesn’t grant more money for the program.

Neither party has committed to attending next year’s presidential debates

It remains to be seen whether either party’s candidate will participate in next year’s three presidential debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates this week announced that college towns in Texas, Virginia, and Utah will host general election debates. Donald Trump has made clear he wants to debate Joe Biden if he’s the nominee. However, the Republican National Committee is considering a boycott of any debates sponsored by the CPD. National Democrats, meanwhile, expressed frustration with the commission in 2020 over what they called its failure to enforce the rules, and the Biden reelection campaign has not said whether he would debate Trump.

Both sides appeal judge’s ruling about Trump staying on Colorado ballot

In Colorado, both sides are appealing a judge’s ruling Donald Trump can stay on the ballot after inciting the January 6th attacks. The judge in the case ruled that Trump “engaged in insurrection,” but can stay on the ballot in Colorado. That prompted not one, but two appeals. The liberal group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics argued that the judge was wrong in ruling that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is not clear that the insurrection provision was intended to apply to presidents. Meanwhile, Trump lawyers appealed the judge’s finding that he did engage in insurrection. The case now goes to the state supreme court.