White House Defends Obama’s Travel Schedule

The White House defended President Barack Obama’s travel schedule Monday, arguing that the President’s apparent habit of visiting swing states was not political.

During his daily briefing, Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters that a recent report from the Wall Street Journal claiming that Obama has visited more swing states than President Bush was skewed due to shifts in the political landscape.

“Increasingly we’ve seen that more and more states find themselves on the political map as potential battleground states,” Carney said.

Carney specifically pointed to Virginia, which due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. has been a frequent destination for Presidents but has just recently been classified a swing state.

The Press Secretary added that barring the President from visiting states that could be considered battleground states would place an unfair restriction on Obama and also set up a poor precedent for future administrations.

Poll: Gingrich Leads Romney By 9 Percent

By Andrea Salazar

Newt Gingrich is leading the cluttered field GOP presidential candidates with 32 percent approval, a 9 percent margin over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, according to the latest opinion poll by Majority Opinion Research/Poll Position.

Romney, the long-time front runner, stands at 23 percent, while pizza mogul Herman Cain rounds off the top three with 14 percent.

The poll, conducted over the phone on Nov. 27, surveyed 449 registered voters who said they would vote in the Republican primaries and has a 4 percent margin of error. It is the first poll conducted following the New Hampshire Union Leader’s endorsement of the former House Speaker. 

Unlike Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose numbers dipped after saying Americans who don’t support helping undocumented students go to college “don’t have a heart,” Gingrich’s popularity increased after calling for a “humane” immigration policy during the Nov. 22 GOP debate in Washington, D.C.

The latest poll also shows Gingrich with a lead of 32 percent among Independents. Ron Paul follows with 16 percent.

2012 Candidates Cash In On Cyber Monday

2012 hopefuls are attempting to cash in on “Cyber Monday,” the first Monday after Thanksgiving wherein online retailers offer special deals to holiday shoppers.

Mitt Romney’s campaign has promised 30 percent off in their online store for loved ones “looking for gift ideas for the Mitt supporter in your life.”

Meanwhile, President Obama’s re-election campaign is offering $5 off of hooded sweatshirts, urging supporters to “stay warm and support the 2012 campaign.”

Arab League Backs Syrian Sanctions

The Arab League voted Sunday to apply sanctions against Syria amid the Assad regime’s crackdown against protesters within the country.

The sanctions freeze much of the member states’ economic activity with the country and include freezing members of the Assad regime’s personal assets and barring them from travel.

The decision had the support of a significant majority of member states. 19 of the 22 countries ultimately backed the sanctions.

The Arab League agreed to formally suspend Syria as a member state earlier this month.

Longtime Texas Democrat Calling It Quits

Rep. Charles Gonzalez announced Friday that he will not seek re-election next year. The decision to end his twelve-year career in the House was spurred by his desire “to do something else — what that is, I really don’t know.”

President Obama released a statement in response to the news:

“For a combined 50 years, Charlie Gonzalez and his father have represented Texas’ 20th Congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. In Congress, Charlie has fought tirelessly for a cleaner environment, Wall Street reform and more accessible health care for Texans.  As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he has worked nonstop to deliver much needed relief to deserving immigrant families and to protect the civil rights of Latinos and all Americans. Michelle and I wish him and his family the very best and join the people of Texas in thanking him for his many years of  service.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) also put out a statement, calling Gonzalez a “dedicated public servant who has been a leader on voting rights issues.”