Why are Democrats skipping their national convention?
Five congressmen and three senators announced plans to skip this summer’s Democratic National Convention, and more are expected. The party insists it isn’t about President Obama’s sagging popularity. Indeed, Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., head of the party’s House campaign effort, told candidates to stay home. “If they want to win an election, they need to be in their districts,” Israel told Reuters.
Who are Mitt Romney’s top picks for a running mate?
There’s no publicized list, but those being mentioned include Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio and Marco Rubio of Florida. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is said to be in the running, as is Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. There are reports that Pawlenty leads the pack.
When will D.C. finally start running streetcars?
The H Street-Benning Road line in Northeast D.C. is supposed to open July 2013, but that date keeps moving. No start date has been announced for the rest of the 37-mile, eight-line network. The city does, however, have a contract to build a streetcar trolley barn and acquire the additional streetcars it needs — key steps toward ensuring the H Street line opens.
Are student loan interest rates about to double?
The Stafford loan rate is set to jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on Sunday, but lawmakers just announced a compromise that prevents the politically unacceptable increase. Republicans claim a deal could have been reached long ago and accused Democrats of stalling talks while President Obama traveled the country blaming Republicans for the potential increase.
