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WASHINGTON: The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday pushed a resolution condemning President Barack Obama for failing to give 30-day notice to Congress about the exchange in May of American prisoner Bowe Bergdahl for five Taliban leaders held at the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The vote castigating Obama came at a crucial moment for the administration as it sought to rally international and congressional support for steps to combat the rising threat of Islamic state militants in Iraq and Syria. The debate and vote scheduled for late afternoon coincided with a White House meeting in which the president was to discuss his strategy with House and Senate leaders. It also came on the eve of Obama's address to the nation.

"What poor timing for a resolution," said Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Rep. Alcee Hastings, also Democrat, suggested that the House vote on the measure less than two months before the election was simply an effort to appease core Republican voters.

Republicans insisted that Obama clearly violated the law, underscored by a Government Accountability Office report last month that reached that conclusion, and his disregard for Congress could not be ignored.

Rep. Doug Collins, a Republican, said Obama's attitude was "I don't care what the law says. I'm going to do it anyway."

Five senior Taliban were released from the US prison at Guantanamo in exchange for Bergdahl, who had disappeared from his post in Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009. The five Taliban are to remain in Qatar for a year.

Republican lawmakers and some Democrats were angry with Obama and members of the administration for failing to notify them about the swap even as 80 to 90 members of the government knew of the exchange. The administration has offered a number of explanations for keeping Congress in the dark, saying concern about Bergdahl's health and safety required speedy action.

The administration also expressed concern that lawmakers would divulge details of the deal, scuttling it.

Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on Armed Services, said the president should have notified Congress, but Obama has said his constitutional authority as commander in chief superseded the law to apprise lawmakers.

Originally posted here:
Republican-controlled House pushes resolution condemning Obama for prisoner swap

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican challenger Bruce Rauner hammered each other on ethics, education and budget plans today during a free-wheeling face-off during a joint appearance before the Chicago Tribune editorial board.

Sitting side by side, Quinn and Rauner repeatedly interrupted each other with sharp political attacks. Quinn slammed Rauner over business dealings at Rauners private equity firm that have gone bad and questioned how Rauner could pay for his education proposals. Rauner lashed out at Quinn over a patronage-style scandal at the states transportation agency and what he said has been a failed governorship.

Quinn maintained Rauner "made a fortune out of the misfortune" of everyday people in companies and nursing homes the challengers venture capitalist firm took over.

Rauner wasted no time tying Quinn to his predecessor and former running mate, Rod Blagojevich, who is in prison for corruption.

"The only difference between Pat and Rod is the hair," Rauner declared, saying both administrations contained corruption" and "cronyism."

Rauner said Quinn himself is under investigation, but so far the public record does not support that claim. Federal prosecutors in Springfield have subpoenaed emails of the governors former chief of staff and several others in the administration over the governors botched $54.5 million anti-violence program known as the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative.

Quinn accused Rauner of slinging "one falsehood after another" in the campaign.

When Quinn attacked Rauner for a lack of specifics on an education funding plan, Rauner shot back that he will "deliver results."

Quinn maintained Rauners plans are as "clear as mud" and has shown no way to make up for what the Quinn said would "savage" education.

"You dont understand arithmetic," Quinn said.

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Quinn, Rauner rip each other on ethics, budget during Tribune endorsement session

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- The gay Oregon man who helped overturn the state's decade-old ban on same-sex marriage is featured in a campaign ad for a Republican Senate candidate -- and he now finds himself on the receiving end of some criticism from LGBT activists.

Ben West and his husband, Paul Rummell, became high-profile figures in Oregon's gay rights community this year when they challenged the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage and won.

Now West is backing Monica Wehby, the Republican nominee and same-sex marriage supporter who's challenging Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democratic incumbent with a long record of fighting for LGBT rights.

It wasn't too big of a surprise that Wehby is unveiling her support for same-sex marriage.

"This is Oregon. This is not Texas," Republican strategist Ford O'Connell said, referring to the state's liberal tendencies. "I don't see a political risk."

It was, however, a big step for West and his husband to lend their names to Wehby's campaign.

While many of West's friends and acquaintances have been respectful and even happy with his decision, he said, some have been "shocked." His Facebook page shows a sampling of the disagreements. Some simply can't fathom electing a Republican, while others say they have a hard time buying Wehby's position.

"Where was she earlier this year when we were 'fighting the fight'?" one person wrote, referring to the legal challenge against the state's law. "But now that it's over and she doesn't want to be on the 'wrong side of history', she is supportive, or says that she is."

Still, others are dismayed that West would not support Merkley, a senator that one person described as "a point of pride for Oregon."

Link:
GOP candidate backs gay marriage

Creation of the American Republican Corporatocracy Part One - NCLB

By: Inness54

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Creation of the American Republican Corporatocracy Part One - NCLB - Video

WATCH: Oklahoma Republican Party Leader Smears Islam (CAIR-OK)
CAIR Asks Oklahoma GOP to Repudiate Legislator #39;s Anti-Muslim Facebook Post http://cair.com/press-center/press-releases/12639-oklahoma-rep-john-bennett-anti-m...

By: CAIRtv

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WATCH: Oklahoma Republican Party Leader Smears Islam (CAIR-OK) - Video