Kissinger Endorses Nixon’s Grandson

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has given a political endorsement to the grandson of the President he once served.

Chris Cox, the grandson of President Richard Nixon, is running in New York’s first Congressional district’s Republican primary. On Monday, his campaign released a statement Monday night touting a brief statement from the 87 year-old Kissinger.

“I endorse Chris Cox. I believe he will exercise vigorous and honest leadership,” Kissinger said.

Politico has more.

Carter Going To North Korea

It appears as if Jimmy Carter will soon be pulling a Bill Clinton.

Foreign Policy magazine says that the former President will be traveling to North Korea to negotiate the release of a 30-year old Boston resident who was arrested earlier this year for entering North Korean territory from China.

Carter is going alone as a private citizen, and the trip is not being sanctioned by the U.S. government, although it has been reported that Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) initially was planning to travel to the secretive nation.

Obama Says Troop Drawdown Fulfills Campaign Pledge

President Barack Obama said Thursday that he has kept the pledge he made during the 2008 Presidential campaign to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.

“We’re keeping the promise I made when I began campaigning for the presidency,” Obama said during a reception in Florida for the state’s Democratic party. “By the end of this month, we’ll have removed 100,000 troops from Iraq and our combat mission will be over.”

Obama’s remarks came amid the announcement that the last full combat bridge had exited Iraq.

Obama Will Travel To New Orleans For Hurricane Katrina Anniversary

The White House announced Friday that President Obama will travel to New Orleans on August 29th to mark the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

The President is scheduled to give an address from Xavier University.

Reid Issues Statement On Border Bill's Passage

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) issued the following statement on the passage of the $600 million border security bill:

“Nevadans understand the challenges that exist because of our broken immigration system. We need comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, cracks down on unscrupulous employers, and requires those here illegally to get right with the law, learn English, pay taxes, pass criminal background checks, and go to the back of the line. This morning, the Senate passed a $600 million border security package that will help law enforcement officials in the fight against smuggling and other criminal activities in the border area. But I continue to believe that increased enforcement along our borders is only one part of a sound, comprehensive solution to fix our broken immigration system, and more work remains to achieve that ultimate goal.

“Democrats are open to working with Republicans toward a bipartisan solution on comprehensive immigration reform. And we are hopeful that Republicans will match our commitment to fix our broken system in a way that respects our laws and honors our values as a nation.”