State of the Union Address
January 24, 2012

Before he went to the podium to give his State-of-the-Union Address, President Obama greeted Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) with an affectionate hug. (To see the President deliver his address, please go to State of the Union, 2012)

January 22, 2012 - January 28, 2012

January 23 -- Governor Deval Patrick delivered his State of the Commonwealth Address to the Massachusetts Legislature and the citizens of the Commonwealth.  While reviewing the progress that we have made, he proudly reminded us that, "we have moved from 47th in the nation in job creation in 2006 to 5th in the nation in the last two years." (To read the transcript of his speech, please see State of the State Address.)

January 22 -- U.S. Representative Gabrielle (Gabby) Giffords (D-AZ) announced that she is resigning her seat in the House in order to concentrate on her recovery. She ended the video by saying, "I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country."  [See Rep. Giffords to resign from Congress this week (The Christian Science Monitor)]

Gabriella Giffords' Farewell Video

Ms. Giffords indicated that she and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, will be attending the President's State of the Union Address on January 24.

January 15, 2012 - January 21, 2012

January 21 -- Newt Gingrich pulled a major upset in South Carolina by winning all 25 delegates after beating Mitt Romney by about 13 points.  Rick Santorum came in third at 17% followed by Ron Paul, who won 13% of the votes. [For more on the Primary results, please see Gingrich Wins South Carolina Primary, Upending G.O.P. Race (NY Times); to see a table of the results, please see Results of the SC Primary.]

January 19 -- The field of Republican hopefuls has been reduced by one more.  Rick Perry has called it quits today, only two days before the South Carolina primary, saying, "As I have contemplated the future of this campaign, I have come to the conclusion that there is no viable path to victory for my candidacy in 2012."  He has now thrown his support behind Newt Gingrich, who is making major gains against Mitt Romney at the polls in South Carolina.  [for more, please read Rick Perry's 'oops' campaign never ready for prime time (The Washington Post)]

January 19 -- According to new reports that came out today, Mitt Romney did not win the Iowa Caucus after all.  The real winner appears to be Rick Santorum by 34 votes. [To see the votes breakdown, please go to Iowa Caucus Results.  To read more, please see Rick Santorum Finishes Ahead Of Mitt Romney: Iowa Caucus Results. (The Huffington Post)]

January 16 -- John Huntsman called it quits today.  His campaign said that he will be endorsing Mitt Romney.  [see Huntsman quits US presidential race (news24.com)]

January 8, 2012 - January 14, 2012

January 13 -- President Obama addressed business owners at the White House and explained to them how he plans to help businesses through consolidation of federal agencies.

(See Consolidating Government Departments to Encourage Business)

January 13 -- The luxury cruise ship, Costa Concordia, partially sank off the coast of Isola del Giglio, Italy.  There are six known casualties with nearly two dozen people still missing. [Please see The Wreck of the Costa Concordia for more. (The Atlantic)]

January 11 -- The fifth Iranian nuclear scientist was killed in a car bombing in Tehran. Iranians claim that the Israelis were behind the bombing.   [see Iran nuclear scientist killed in car bombing. (LA Times)]

January 11 -- Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire Primary followed by Ron Paul and John Huntsman came in third.

Mitt Romney addressed his supporters at Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester when it became apparent that he had won the Primary, as expected.  [see Romney Wins NH Primary (Nightline from ABC News)]

January 8 -- Republican contenders for the Presidential nomination held their final debate before the New Hampshire Primary.   True to their promise, Romney's challengers concentrated their efforts in trying to discredit him.  [see Romney Rivals Doubt Electability as They Fault His Views. (Bloomberg.com)]

January 8 -- Tuscon residents gathered at various events to commemorate the shootings of January 8, 2011 (see Memorial in Arizona), to lend support to those injured, and to remember those who lost their lives.  Amongst those participating was Congresswoman Gabbi Giffords (D-AZ) and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly.  [see Gabrielle Giffords Shooting One-Year Anniversary: Tucson Reflects On Tragedy. (The Huffington Post)]

January 1, 2012 - January 7, 2012

January 5 -- U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, rescued thirteen Iranian sailors held hostage by Somolian pirates.  While Iran's government, through its Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, called it a "positive humanitarian gesture;" Fars, Iran's hard-line news agency, basically accused the U.S. of grandstanding.  [see Iran welcomes U.S. rescue of sailors for more. (CBS News)]

January 4 -- President Obama appointed Richard Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, allowing the agency to finally begin its work.  Republicans have opposed Cordray's nomination simply because they oppose the Bureau.  [see Cordray Appointment Activates Full Powers of New Consumer Bureau (Bloomberg Businessweek)]

January 4 -- Mitt Romney welcomed Senator John McCain in Manchester, New Hampshire, where the Senator announced his endorsement of Romney for President.  [see Romney endorsed by McCain; Bachmann quits; Santorum, Gingrich take battle to N.H. (Washington Post)]

January 4 -- Mitt Romney beat Rick Santorum in the Iowa Caucus by only eight votes.  Because she received only 5% of the votes, Michelle Bachmann has called it quits. (Here are the results of the Iowa Caucus.)  [Romney Wins Iowa, Bachmann Ends Presidential Bid (Voice of America)]

Weekly Address: Blueprint for Renewal of American Values
(January 28, 2011)

"MAKE NO SMALL PLANS. THEY HAVE NO MAGIC TO STIR MEN'S BLOOD." -- Daniel Burnham