Dallas South Newswire Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, contacted Fox News CEO Roger Ailes today to demand that his news division add a formal disclaimer during segments about the 2010 election to inform viewers that Fox’s parent company provided an unprecedented $1 million contribution to defeat Democratic governors in 2010. The letter goes on to state: “For the first time in history, your organization is openly and proudly supporting the defeat of Democratic governors with an unprecedented political contribution of $1 million to the Republican Governors Association. In fact, your company provided the single largest corporate contribution to our opposition…. As you are well aware, the stakes could not be higher in the 37 gubernatorial races this election cycle.” Mr. Roger Ailes Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Fox News Channel 1211 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 and VIA EMAIL Dear Mr. Ailes, For the first time in history, your organization is openly and proudly supporting the defeat of Democratic governors with an unprecedented political contribution of $1 million to the Republican Governors Association. In fact, your company provided the single largest corporate contribution to our opposition. In the interest of some fairness and balance, I request that you add a formal disclaimer to ...

From the Office of the Press Secretary In 2010, seventeen countries across sub-Saharan Africa celebrate fifty years of independence.  In honor of this important historic moment, in acknowledgement of the extraordinarily young demographic profile of the region, and as part of an effort to forge strong, forward-looking partnerships in the years ahead, President Obama is hosting a forum for young African leaders in Washington, D.C., from August 3 – 5.  These 115 young leaders come from civil society and the private sector and represent more than forty countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In Accra, the President highlighted a “simple truth” about our country’s connections with Africa: Africa’s prosperity can expand America's prosperity.  Africa’s health and security can contribute to the world's health and security.  And the strength of Africa’s democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere. He emphasized that “this mutual responsibility must be the foundation of our partnership.”  And over the past year and a half, we have been focused on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa: strong and sustainable democratic governments, opportunity and development, strengthening public health, and the peaceful resolution of conflict.  Here are some examples of actions the Administration has taken: Addressing Global Issues The Administration’s ...

By Malia Litman - Malia Litman's Blog Sarah Palin spoke this weekend at the Oil Palace in Tyler, Texas, a small town in East Texas. She was introduced at the event by Texas Governor Rick Perry, who referred to half-term-ex-Governor Palin as one of the “great Americans of our time.”  Certainly Perry and Palin have many things in common, not the least of which is a total lack of respect for the truth. Consider the similarity in the willingness of Palin and Perry to lie.  While many examples of the lies of Palin have filled pages of this blog for months, I have worked hard to limit my comments to Palin.  I have intentionally refrained from sharing my feelings about Rick Perry.  Perry’s description of Palin at the Tyler event has come close to putting me into a coma. My doctor has indicated that the only potentially therapeutic treatment for my condition is to write.  Thus I ask you to consider the similarities between Palin and Perry: 1. Both Have Been On the Cover of Newsweek Magazine Palin:  “Saint Sarah” graced the cover in June. Perry: Perry was featured with the title “Don’t Mess with Texas”. 2. Both Claim to be “Fiscal Conservatives” Palin: Palin has ...

White House Office of Media Affairs This month, President Obama, the First Lady, and officials from throughout the Administration will deliver commencement addresses to Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.  This weekend Mrs. Obama will send off the graduates of University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff Saturday, May 8th and President Obama will greet the graduates of Hampton University Sunday, May 9th.  In total, eleven HBCUs will receive commencement addresses from Obama Administration officials this year. Other officials participating in graduation ceremonies include Secretary Robert Gates, Department of Defense (Morehouse College), Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education (Xavier University), Administrator Charles Bolden, NASA (Huston-Tillotson University), Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President (Morgan State University), Melody Barnes, Director, White House Domestic Policy Council (Virginia Union University), and Ambassador Susan Rice, United Nations (Spellman College).  In addition, John Wilson, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, is scheduled to speak to Wilberforce University, Wiley College, and Harris-Stowe State University. America’s 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are where generations of African Americans have gained a sense of their heritage, their history, and their place in the American story. President Obama values the historic contributions HBCUs ...

by Olga Pierce, ProPublica - May 10 Before Elena Kagan was a Supreme Court nominee, she was Obama’s nominee for Solicitor General, a position she now holds. And as an administration nominee, she was required to file a financial disclosure, and an ethics agreement – outlining potential conflicts of interest and what she plans to do about them -- which are both posted on our site for your perusal. Much has been made, in particular, over the $10,000 “stipend” she received for being a member of the Goldman Sachs Global Markets Institute advisory council. And while any connection to the toxic Goldman Sachs brand is likely to be political fodder during the confirmation process, the jury is out on how substantive the connection really is. As the disclosure shows, the $10,000 was a pittance next to the $427,299 salary she reported as a Harvard Law School dean. And, according to reports [3], the advisory board was more likely to discuss policy issues than ways to profit from complex securities. In other news, we’re guessing that – if confirmed as Supreme Court Justice – Kagan will probably abandon her plan to return to Harvard after a two-year leave of absence. See anything [1] we missed [2]? Flag it in ...

DSN Newswire (Office of the Press Secretary) What:             Hampton University 140th Commencement Ceremony Where:          Hampton University Armstrong Stadium When:            May 9.  Processional begins at 9 a.m., Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Hampton, Va. - Hampton University is pleased to announce that President Barack Obama will serve as the University's 140th Commencement speaker on May 9, 2010.  We are honored that President Obama has accepted Hampton's invitation to speak to our 2010 graduates during our commencement exercises. CEREMONY DETAILS The stadium gates will open at 6:30 a.m. No one will be allowed entry after 9 a.m. Procession begins at 9 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Due to the popularity of this event, there are no more tickets available.  Please visit commencement.hamptonu.edu for additional ceremony details.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today: “Now more than ever, Floridians need leadership in Washington. With unemployment at an all-time high in Florida, they want a Senator to exercise strong fiscal discipline and be a catalyst for job creation. Without question, the Republican nominee this fall will offer those qualities. Governor Charlie Crist, however, will not be that candidate" "Over the years, he has served this party well, which is why his decision to run as an Independent is so disappointing. To be sure, he left this party. This party did not leave him. His decision will in no way impede our path to victory in Florida. The challenges that Floridians face are many. And this November, we will have a nominee in place that will listen to them and put forth solutions to get Floridians back to work.”

Josh Gerstein & Patrick Gavin write an article for Politco that details the Obama Administration's relationship with reporters.  Of course most pundits claim the media has been ga ga over the President, but this article outlines why that's not necessarily the case. Most of what Obama says in the video above about the media is right on point.  I don't blame the writers on the White House beat for doing their jobs, but they do ask the same questions over and over and over.  They do take "we're not ruling anything out" as liberty to insert their own policy predictions.  Cable networks do try to drum up controversy even when there is none. Here is one key section of Politico's extensive article on the subject: Reporters say the White House is thin-skinned, controlling, eager to go over their heads and stingy with even basic information. All White Houses try to control the message. But this White House has pledged to be more open than its predecessors, and reporters feel it doesn’t live up to that pledge in several key areas: — Day-to-day interaction with Obama is almost nonexistent, and he talks to the press corps far less often than Bill Clinton or even George ...

From the DSN Newswire Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dorothy Height - the godmother of the Civil Rights Movement and a hero to so many Americans.  Ever since she was denied entrance to college because the incoming class had already met its quota of two African American women, Dr. Height devoted her life to those struggling for equality. She led the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years, and served as the only woman at the highest level of the Civil Rights Movement - witnessing every march and milestone along the way. And even in the final weeks of her life – a time when anyone else would have enjoyed their well-earned rest – Dr. Height continued her fight to make our nation a more open and inclusive place for people of every race, gender, background and faith. Michelle and I offer our condolences to all those who knew and loved Dr. Height – and all those whose lives she touched.

From the DSN Newswire (House Republican Conference) U.S. Congressman Mike Pence issued the following statement today calling for President Obama to impose crippling sanctions on Iran in light of their continued progress towards nuclear weapons capability: “Iran’s steady progress in its nuclear program represents a severe threat to American national interests and an existential threat to our cherished ally Israel. “Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons could lead to the proliferation of these weapons throughout the Middle East and beyond, destabilizing the global non-proliferation regime and greatly increasing the likelihood of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. “A nuclear-armed Tehran would assert greater influence over the region and amplify its interference in the domestic affairs of its neighbors, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan where our troops have made significant steps towards victory. “Over a year ago, President Obama said there must be ‘real and immediate consequences’ for countries that defy their responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In light of this week’s summit and Iran’s continued intransigence, the international community led by the U.S. must act. “I’ve joined colleagues from both sides of the ...