What is the most valuable company in America?
It used to be Exxon Mobil. But that changed Monday when Apple’s market capitalization topped $623 billion, beating the 1999 record set by Microsoft Corp. during the tech boom. Such valuations and rankings can change quickly, however, based on multiple factors that affect how a company will perform in the future. Exxon Mobil now ranks second with a market cap of $405 billion. Microsoft ranks third with a valuation of about $260 billion.
Who is helping President Obama and Vice President Biden prepare for their debates?
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, was picked to play Republican vice-presidential candidate and committee Chairman Paul Ryan in practice debates with Biden. Sen. John Kerry, of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, will play Republican challenger Mitt Romney to help Obama prepare for his debates against the former Massachusetts governor.
Did Paul Ryan lobby for federal stimulus funds?
Republican Mitt Romney’s vice-presidential running mate and longtime Wisconsin congressman opposed President Obama’s economic stimulus package and denied that he sought stimulus funding for two Wisconsin companies in 2009. But Ryan reversed himself recently and admitted to seeking the money after written requests from his office came to light. Ryan said in those requests that the stimulus money would help create thousands of jobs, save energy and reduce greenhouse gases.
