Politics

Presidential Heckling Quite Rare, Historian Says

South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's interruption of President Obama's address to Congress Wednesday night was a rare instance of presidential heckling, but it was not the first. Historian Richard Norton Smith discusses past instances and the context.

Obama Seizes on Momentum From Wednesday's Health Care Speech

Building on momentum from Wednesday's address to Congress, President Obama pressed ahead with health care agenda. Kwame Holman reports.

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Bloggers, Columnists React to Obama Speech

The word on President Barack Obama's address to Congress from bloggers across the political spectrum was that many thought he did an effective job of communicating his health reform plans -- although he offered relatively few new specifics.

Afghan Ballots Tossed Amid Fraud Concerns

Afghanistan's U.N.-backed elections commission threw out ballots Thursday from last month's unresolved and controversial election, saying there was evidence of fraud in a number of polling stations in certain provinces.

U.S. Poverty Rising, Family Incomes Fall

The poverty rate increased in 2008 to its highest point since 1997 and median household income declined 3.6 percent as the effects of the recession set in, according to new census data released Thursday.

Congress Reacts to President Obama's Speech

Judy Woodruff speaks with members of Congress about their responses to President Obama's address.

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Obama Says Time Is Now for Health Reform

By Lea Winerman

President Barack Obama sought to call Congress and the American public to action Wednesday night, in a prime-time speech aimed at resetting the terms of the debate over health care reform.

Full Text: GOP Response to Obama Reform Speech

Following is the text of Louisiana Rep. Charles Boustany's GOP response to President Obama's health reform address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, as distributed to news organizations.

Full Text: Obama's Health Reform Speech

Following is the text of President Barack Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, as prepared for delivery, released by the White House and distributed to news organizations.

Justice David H. Souter

By PBS News Hour

Justice David Souter, the 105th justice to be appointed to the Supreme Court, retired from the high court in June 2009, after more than 18 years on the bench.