Former Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff James Baker on how Barack Obama is handling Israel, Afghanistan and other foreign policy challenges, why today’s politics are so divisive, and why the rising national debt may be biggest problem we face.
Barack Obama
Posted in
Demographics
Remember Immigration?
Lawmakers are reeling from the bruising political battle over health care reform and are loath to take on another divisive issue and additional risky votes. So the prospects remain dim for legislation that would improve border security, provide a pathway to citizenship for millions and crack down on unscrupulous employers — but that doesn’t mean everyone’s forgotten about it, as the hundreds of thousands of advocates who marched on Washington, D.C., last weekend can attest.
Posted inState Government
The Runoffs: CD-17
It’s money versus geography and name ID in the race between the two top finishers in the five-way GOP primary in this conservative-leaning congressional district. The winner will face U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.
Posted in
Demographics
TribBlog: Border Chief Gets Recess Appointment
The president’s nominee for commissioner of Customs and Border Protection gets the job without Senate confirmation.
Posted inState Government
An Evening With James Baker
Former Secretary of State James Baker visited the LBJ Library and Museum last night to talk with Texas Tribune Editor Evan Smith about the state of our world today. Ben Philpott, who’s covering politics and policy for KUT News and the Tribune was there. And reports on Baker’’ view of how the current administration is doing on some of the bigger foreign policy matters.
Posted inState Government
2010: Perry’s “My Preference,” Baker Says
Former Secretary of State James Baker, one of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s highest-profile primary supporters, says he now supports Gov. Rick Perry’s re-election bid. And, as it happens, much of Barack Obama’s foreign policy.
Posted in
Demographics
Who’s in Charge?
When high-ranking officials in the Obama administration travel to Mexico today to discuss that country’s role in combating border violence, one key member of the team will be missing: the commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection division of the Department of Homeland Security, whose nomination has languished in the U.S. Senate since September.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
The Brief: March 18, 2010
It’s not just Gov. Rick Perry who wants the President to make a trip south.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Survey Says…
Texans are more worried about the economy and the direction of the country than anything else, according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Other notable findings: Nearly two-thirds support either gay marriage or civil unions, nearly half prefer private health insurance to a government-run plan, and more than a third think the Legislature meets every year.