Sanders, Ellison look to rebuild party decimated under Obama

Left-wing Democratic leaders Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Democratic National Committee chair candidate Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., are seeking to rebuild a party that has been left in shambles by the Obama presidency. The Democrats have lost majorities in the House and Senate and been obliterated by the Republicans at the state and local level since Obama assumed office in 2009.

Cheers in Chocolate Town for Trump promises

"Your drive, your dedication and your love for your country pushed us across the finish line and boy, did we get across that line, right?" Cheers in Chocolate Town for Trump promises "Your drive, your dedication and your love for your country pushed us across the finish line and boy, did we get across that line, right?" Check out this story on ydr.com: http://ldne.ws/2hUiKyv President-elect Donald Trump leaves the stage after speaking at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA., Thursday evening, Dec. 15. The stop was part of Trump's "thank you tour."

Obama uses rare constitutional maneuver on Iran sanctions bill

Obama uses rare constitutional maneuver on Iran sanctions bill On Iran sanctions bill, Obama employed a constitutional maneuver not used since 1995. Check out this story on publicopiniononline.com: http://usat.ly/2hT65f2 US President Barack Obama expresses regret that he hasn't been able to shut down the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay during his eight years in office.In his first news conference since Republican tycoon Donald Trump was elected to succeed him, Obama also says the Iran and climate deals would be difficult to unravel under Trump.

Utah Republicans say they worry Utah monument is looming

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, front left, talks with Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, following the governor's monthly news conference at KUED-TV in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016. At back left, Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, talks with Bob Bernick.

Marin IJ Readersa Forum for Dec. 16

In Tuesday's IJ there was a quote from an individual suggesting that the number of school districts in Marin is “absurd” and that there are “massive redundancies” that “divert monies from the classroom.” While I might agree with the author regarding the number of districts, I believe that had he done a bit of research, he would have found that previous studies suggested that in Southern Marin there would be educational benefits to primary districts unifying around the three Tamalpais Union district's comprehensive high schools, while there would be little cost savings.

In Columbus, DNC Chair Candidates Map Out Roads Of Reform To Win Again In 2018 And Beyond

On a snowy, bitterly cold day Saturday, candidates who are in the running to become the next Chairman of the Democratic National Committee rendezvoused in Columbus to discuss reforms the party needs if it hopes to become relevant and win elections, big and small, again in 2018 and beyond. The results of the Nov. 8 elections were devastating to Democrats, who lost the presidency and the U.S. Senate and the House at the national level and scads of state races across the land.

Cal Thomas: Mike Pence says Trump has a mandate

When Mike Pence becomes the 48th vice president of the United States next month, he will take on the role of a political lobbyist for Donald Trump's activist agenda. In an interview I conducted with Pence in his transitional office next to a sandwich shop in Washington, he said he believed voters gave Donald Trump a "mandate."

The Latest: Trump team says Energy questions unauthorized

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia. President-elect Donald Trump selected Tillerson to lead the State Department on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016.

Most Valley Congressmen, senators support cyber hacking probe

With Illinois Senator Dick Durbin calling for a National Intelligence Estimate on the subject, most - but not all - members of the Wabash Valley Congressional delegation support investigations by Congress and the Obama Administration into possible Russian intervention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Durbin is among nine Democratic senators who this week called on James Clapper, director of national intelligence, to provide an authoritative assessment of the collective judgment of the nation's 16 intelligence agencies into allegations Russia intervened in the election, possibly to assist Donald Trump, and publication of an unclassified summary of key judgments by Jan. 20, 2017.

Navy formally announces naming of Columbia-class submarines

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: The Navy formally announced Wednesday that the first in a new class of ballistic missile submarines will be named the USS Columbia in honor of the District of Columbia. The Navy plans to build 12 submarines to make up the new class, which will be known as the Columbia class, to replace the current Ohio-class fleet of 14 ballistic missile submarines built in the 1980s and '90s.

Maine congressional delegation visits New Balance factory

The director of manufacturing at New Balance says a "Made-in-USA" provision for athletic footwear for military recruits could mean an additional 250,000 sneakers a year. Brendan Melley touted the figure Wednesday as three members of Maine's congressional delegation visited a New Balance factory in Skowhegan, the Morning Sentinel reported.

Trump picks Michigana s Ronna Romney McDaniel for RNC chair

Michigan's Republican Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel is President-elect Donald Trump's choice to become the new Republican National Committee chair next year. The niece of 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney would be the first woman to hold the committee's top position in 40 years, and her promotion comes after Trump became the first Republican to carry Michigan in 28 years.

Labor Secretary Tom Perez to Run for DNC Chair

Labor Secretary Tom Perez will announce a bid for Democratic National Committee Chair Thursday on a call with state Democratic party chairs, according to a source with knowledge of his planning. Perez enters the race after a number of top Democrats and Democratic organizations have backed Keith Ellison, the Minnesota congressman who has announced he would leave his seat if he wins the DNC chair race.

Trump, US Technology Leaders Attempt to Move Past Election Animosity

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with technology industry leaders at Trump Tower in New York, Dec. 14, 2016. From left are, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Alphabet CEO Larry Page, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, and Trump.

Request for Energy employees working on climate change a not authorizeda by Trump team

President-elect Donald Trump's transition team said Thursday that a survey sent to the Energy Department asking for the names of people who had work on climate change was "not authorized." "The questionnaire was not authorized or part of our standard protocol," Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said .

Perry nomination raises Dem concerns that Trump plans to gut Energy Dept.

Democrats are growing increasingly concerned that President-elect Trump is preparing to slash the Energy Department, with the incoming president picking fossil fuel advocate and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to lead the department after Trump's transition team sent a questionnaire that Democrats call a "witch hunt." The top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce and Oversight committees, Reps.