Politics

As a reporter covering financial and economic news for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal in Washington, D.C., I occasionally wrote about national politics from 2008 through 2011. I have a strong understanding of how the U.S. political system works and a deep network of connections in the nation’s capital.

Obama Top Recipient of AIG ’08 Campaign Cash
President Barack Obama received more campaign cash from American International Group Inc. (AIG) employees in the 2008 election cycle than did any other candidate. The company is 80% owned by the federal government, which has provided it with more than $170 billion in aid.

Obama Projected to Win New Jersey 
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was projected by CBS to win New Jersey in the 2008 presidential election Tuesday. Obama, D-Ill., was widely expected to win in New Jersey, where he had been leading the polls for several months.

Senators Introduce Bill to Open TARP Recipients’ Books 
The two highest-ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee are proposing legislation that would force private entities receiving federal bailout money to open their books to the Government Accountability Office.

Dems Blast Northern Trust for Lavish Golf Event 
A group of Democratic lawmakers wants Northern Trust Corp. (NTRS) to repay a portion of the government bailout cash it received, after the bank sponsored a lavish golf tournament whose giveaways included Tiffany souvenirs.

Obama Promises Greater Government Disclosure
In one of his first official actions, President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled plans to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act, a key open-records law used by journalists and interest groups to track government activities.