Obama’s green jobs czar resigns over 9/11, Bush statements

October 6th, 2009 Senator questions use of administration "czars"WASHINGTON — A liberal Democratic senator questioned the roles of Obama administration policy "czars" Tuesday, but the White House denied it is using these officials to evade congressional scrutiny. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., said Congress needs to know whether some of the czars make policy but have no obligation to submit to congressional questioning.

October 3rd, 2009 Obamas celebrate anniversary with dinner outWASHINGTON — There was no trip to New York and no fancy outing as the Obamas celebrated their first wedding anniversary since they moved to the White House. Instead they kept it simple, with a dinner out Saturday night at an elegant, American-fare restaurant near Georgetown.

September 11th, 2009 RealNetworks board member resignsSEATTLE — Digital entertainment company RealNetworks Inc. said Friday John Chapple has resigned from its board to focus on other responsibilities.

September 6th, 2009 Controversy over fiery remarks fells Obama adviserWASHINGTON — The White House environmental adviser under fire for inflammatory statements made before he joined the administration resigned after what he called a "vicious smear campaign against me." Van Jones "understood that he was going to get in the way" of President Barack Obama's agenda, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Sunday. The resignation was disclosed without advance notice by the White House in a dead-of-the-night e-mail on a holiday weekend.

September 5th, 2009 Obama adviser Van Jones resigns amid controversyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's adviser Van Jones has resigned amid controversy over past inflammatory statements, the White House said early Sunday. Van Jones, an administration official specializing in environmentally friendly "green jobs" with the White House Council on Environmental Quality was linked to efforts suggesting a government role in the 2001 terror attacks and to derogatory comments about Republicans.

September 5th, 2009 Obama 'green jobs' adviser quits amid controversyWASHINGTON — White House environmental adviser Van Jones, embroiled in a controversy over past inflammatory statements, resigned after what he called a "vicious smear campaign against me." The resignation, announced early Sunday, came as President Barack Obama is working to regain his footing in the contentious health care debate. Jones, who specialized in environmentally friendly "green jobs" with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, was linked to efforts suggesting a government role in the Sept.

September 4th, 2009 White House tight-lipped about Obama adviserWASHINGTON — The White House is taking a mostly tight-lipped stance on an environmental adviser who made inflammatory statements in the past and is linked to efforts suggesting a governmental role in the 2001 terror attacks. Van Jones, an administration official specializing in environmentally friendly "green jobs," issued a statement of apology on Thursday.

July 21st, 2009 Democrats challenge Obama signing statementWASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats warned President Barack Obama on Tuesday that he sounded too much like George W. Bush when he declared this summer that the White House can ignore legislation he thinks oversteps the Constitution.

July 9th, 2009 Drug czar says Jackson's death a wake-up call WASHINGTON — The government's drug czar says that Michael Jackson's death is a wake-up call to the nation about prescription drug abuse. Gil Kerlikowske (ker-li-/KOW-skee), chief of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, says more people are dying in the United States from drug overdoses than from gunshot wounds.

July 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - For their summer vacation, the Obamas are reportedly headed to Martha's Vineyard. The trip, however, could come with some complications for the first family, reports Politico.

June 2nd, 2009 NEW YORK - New York's billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg has claimed that a dinner and Broadway undertaken by Barack Obama and his wife Michelle is a celebration of New York's affordable night life.I can't think of anything that is better as an advertisement for our tourism industry, for Broadway, for our restaurants, for saying that this is a safe city and an affordable city," Bloomberg said Monday. "The President doesn't get paid that much.

May 8th, 2009 Senate approves Seattle police chief as drug czarWASHINGTON — The Senate has approved the nomination of Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as the national drug czar. Kerlikowske, a 36-year law enforcement veteran, has said he will take a balanced, science-based approach to the job of director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

April 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The new Washington, DC, A-list is in, and George W. Bush and his team aren't on it, reports the New York Post.

April 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The chief florist at the White House, Nancy Clarke, is retiring next month after 31 years in the mansion. "It's such a hard decision.

January 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Knocking at the door of history, Barack Obama came calling at the White House to meet with outgoing President George Bush, as hundreds of thousands gathered at the Capitol for Tuesday's inauguration of America's first black president. Arriving in 'The Beast', Obama's 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine with doors designed to withstand a bomb blast, Obama and wife Michelle were greeted in the front portico of the storied presidential mansion by Bush and still the first lady Laura.