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Wednesday

Political Junkie Eyes Calif. And Colo.

This week's political roundup includes an update on the new face in Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, and the news that former governor Sarah Palin's memoir is due on shelves sooner than expected. Also, 2010 races heat up in CA and CO.

Political Junkie Eyes Calif. And Colo.

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Can Obama Say No To His Generals On Afghanistan?

President Obama meets with Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the new U.S. Commander for Afghanistan, in the Oval Office May 19, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images hide caption

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Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images

World

Can Obama Say No To His Generals On Afghanistan?

The president met Wednesday afternoon with his full team of national security advisers to discuss the next steps in Afghanistan. But scaling back now could appear to many as a hasty reversal, particularly for a president who came into office without much of a foreign policy or military background.

Science

Senate Unveils Plan To Reduce Emissions

California Sen. Barbara Boxer unveils a bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent to help slow climate change. The plan uses a cap and trade system and would rework the nation's energy economy.

Senate Unveils Plan To Reduce Emissions

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Government Eyes Crackdown On Texting And Driving

A driver uses a cell phone, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Freeport, Maine. On Saturday, Sept. 12, a new law makes failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle while distracted a traffic infraction in Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/AP hide caption

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Robert F. Bukaty/AP

National

Government Eyes Crackdown On Texting And Driving

A two-day summit that kicks off in Washington Wednesday will examine the deepening safety concerns posed by distracted drivers. Some want a national ban on text messaging behind the wheel. But how do you convince overconfident drivers they are the danger?

National

Distracted Drivers Beware, LaHood Is On To You

The Obama administration is taking its first hard look at highway hazards like talking on cellphones and texting while driving. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Wednesday kicks off a two-day summit involving researchers, automakers, safety advocates and lawmakers to find ways of preventing distracted driving from leading to widespread deaths and injuries. LaHood talks to Steve Inskeep about what the summit can accomplish.

Distracted Drivers Beware, LaHood Is On To You

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Analysis

World

White House Ponders Afghan Troop Levels

A critical status report by Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who leads the Afghan war effort, has the White House reconsidering its options. A leaked portion of the report says the mission is in trouble and U.S. commanders believe they need more troops to have a chance at success. The Obama administration faces difficult decisions.

White House Ponders Afghan Troop Levels

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Defense Bill Ladened With Earmarks

President Obama has promised to clean up the so-called earmarking process that allows lawmakers to insert pet projects into government spending bills. Despite the president's call for change, the defense bill that's making its way through the Senate still sets aside billions of dollars for projects the military says it doesn't need.

Defense Bill Ladened With Earmarks

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Patient And Provider Perspectives

Poll: Public Says Voice Not Heard In Health Debate

A new poll by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard school of Public Health says while lawmakers bicker and deal, the public feels largely shut out. Despite public support, the Senate Finance Committee voted down the public option Tuesday.

Poll: Public Says Voice Not Heard In Health Debate

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Children's Health

NTSB Puts Heat On States Without Booster Seat Laws

The National Transportation Safety Board is scolding the leaders of three states for not passing tougher laws mandating child booster seats. Arizona, Florida and South Dakota are the only states that don't require older children to ride in boosters.

NTSB Puts Heat On States Without Booster Seat Laws

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Tracking The Overhaul

Obama And Big Health: Who's Co-Opting Whom?

In the still-evolving health care overhaul effort, are the doctors, pharmaceutical industry and insurers winning, by negotiating good deals for themselves? Or is this a success for the administration, because these groups are still in the game?

Obama And Big Health: Who's Co-Opting Whom?

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Tuesday

World

Kerry Seeks Close Review Of Afghan Troop Request

Al-Qaida's presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan's stability are the principal security concerns of the U.S., says Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He says, however, a request for additional troops should be reviewed carefully because poor Afghan governance is undermining the U.S. counterinsurgency strategy.

Kerry Seeks Close Review Of Afghan Troop Request

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Tracking The Overhaul

Senate Panel Rejects Public Health Option

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee rejected a provision to include a government-run public insurance option as part of the effort to overhaul the health care system. The vote was 15-to-8 against the measure.

Senate Panel Rejects Public Health Option

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