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U.S. Presidents

A self-styled presidential historian who claimed to have moved among presidential circles pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing historical documents worth well over a million dollars, officials said.

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Being ex-president can be lucrative gigupdated: Fri Jan 27 2012 22:16:00

Being president pays; $400,000 a year, in fact.

It pays to be presidentupdated: Fri Jan 27 2012 22:16:00

CNN's Brianna Keilar reports on the intersection of money and the highest office in the land.

Obama and golf: Par for the course for presidentsupdated: Fri Jan 27 2012 11:26:00

Mitt Romney has made much of President Barack Obama playing what he considers an inordinate amount of golf. I've even read blogs likening it to Nero fiddling while Rome burned.

Hinckley hearing focuses on whether he has interest in books on assassination updated: Mon Jan 23 2012 19:36:00

A Secret Service agent who secretly was watching presidential assailant John Hinckley Jr. in a Williamsburg, Virginia bookstore said he got "goose bumps" when he realized Hinckley briefly had looked at a shelf of history books that included some dealing with presidential assassination.

It's not easy being first ladyupdated: Fri Jan 13 2012 09:10:00

In "The Obamas," the new book causing a stir with its speculation about the extent of the first lady's political influence, author Jodi Kantor recounts an anecdote: A young schoolgirl tells Michelle Obama that she hopes to someday become a president's wife herself one day. "Doesn't pay well," Mrs. Obama wittily cracks.

Author explains controversial Obama bookupdated: Fri Jan 13 2012 09:10:00

CNN's Piers Morgan talks to author Jodi Kantor about her controversial new book "The Obamas."

Family questions design of Eisenhower statueupdated: Thu Jan 12 2012 14:07:00

President Dwight David Eisenhower's family wants to put the brakes on the development of a memorial honoring the 34th U.S. president along the National Mall in Washington. The groundbreaking is scheduled for late 2012.

What Newt Gingrich offers the GOPupdated: Mon Nov 28 2011 06:05:00

Newt Gingrich's candidacy received an unexpected boost when New Hampshire's Union Leader endorsed him this weekend.

Our untelevised presidentsupdated: Tue Nov 22 2011 14:42:00

On Tuesday night, it will be time to meet the candidates.

George Washington to debt panel: Show courage on debt and taxesupdated: Thu Nov 17 2011 14:41:00

The clock is ticking in Washington on the bipartisan super committee, those 12 members of Congress tasked with finding at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction by Thanksgiving.

Rebel revenge in Libyaupdated: Mon Nov 14 2011 05:47:00

CNN's Jomana Karadsheh reports on the politics and brutality of revenge in Libya.

The Brooklyn man who wrote to Gadhafiupdated: Mon Nov 14 2011 05:47:00

As long as there are postmen, life will have zest.

Nixon's Watergate testimony releasedupdated: Fri Nov 11 2011 01:56:00

The National Archives released audio of President Nixon's grand jury testimony during the Watergate investigation.

Blacks reject Cain for good reasonupdated: Tue Oct 18 2011 06:14:00

Herman Cain claims that brainwashing explains why so few blacks support conservative Republicans such as himself. He is wrong. The thinking, sentiments, and policy preferences he supports give good cause for rejecting him.

Herman Cain: I'm an outsiderupdated: Tue Oct 18 2011 06:14:00

Presidential candidate Herman Cain talks to John King about his status with the field of Republican candidates.

Barack Obama slept hereupdated: Sun Oct 02 2011 10:29:00

"George Washington slept here."

Trump's appeal to GOP candidatesupdated: Tue Sep 27 2011 06:26:00

CNN's Brian Todd looks at Donald Trump's appeal to GOP candidates and his latest meeting with Mitt Romney.

Should GOP go for inspiration or victory?updated: Tue Sep 27 2011 06:26:00

With all the talk about the ideological and strategic divisions within the GOP, the real choice that primary voters will have to make next year is a simple one.

What happened to 'We're all in this together'?updated: Tue Jul 26 2011 20:55:00

In the debate over raising the debt ceiling, Democrats and Republicans now agree that failure to act will be a disaster for the country. President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner made their anxiety clear in their dueling speeches to the nation Monday night.

Comparing competing U.S. debt plansupdated: Tue Jul 26 2011 20:55:00

CNN's Christine Romans explains the differences between the competing U.S. debt plans.

'She was a great First Lady'updated: Mon Jul 11 2011 12:40:00

Larry King and historian Doug Brinkley remember the life and legacy of Betty Ford.

Ex-first lady, advocate for substance abuse treatment Betty Ford diesupdated: Mon Jul 11 2011 12:40:00

Betty Ford, the widow of late President Gerald Ford and a co-founder of an eponymous addiction center in California, has died at the age of 93, according to the director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

Candid and frank, Betty Ford helped define her timesupdated: Mon Jul 11 2011 12:28:00

The role of first lady is one of the most difficult in American public life. Few women have struggled with the role as passionately and poignantly as Betty Ford, who died last week at 93.

President's bully pulpit is not what it used to beupdated: Mon Jul 11 2011 09:34:00

At key moments in his presidency, Barack Obama has struggled to win the support of the American people through the power of his oratory. The power of persuasion has traditionally been one of the most powerful weapons of the commander in chief.

People.com: Betty Ford Dies at Age 93updated: Sat Jul 09 2011 20:29:00

The former First Lady co-founded the recovery center named after her

For America's future, parties must find political common groundupdated: Sat Jul 02 2011 13:09:00

As Americans come together to celebrate Independence Day with parades, backyard barbeques, and fireworks, we should also look back on our history and reflect on what has made us the great republic we are today: political compromise.

Ronald Reagan, champion of freedomupdated: Wed Jun 29 2011 14:42:00

Fifty-five years ago, freedom reigned for a brief moment in Communist Hungary. On October 23, 1956, student protesters marched through the streets of Budapest demanding an immediate end to their Soviet-dominated government.

How Obama makes his case for a second termupdated: Tue Jun 07 2011 06:27:00

In the coming year, President Obama must make the difficult transition from being the candidate who once ran as the maverick -- the agent of change -- to the candidate who now represents the political establishment. There is no way to escape this.

Osama bin Laden's escape plan?updated: Thu May 05 2011 09:08:00

CNN's John King and panel members discuss the items found on bin Laden after he was killed.

Obama's gamble: Big risk, little political reward?updated: Thu May 05 2011 09:08:00

Days after the daring operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, pollsters reported that President Barack Obama's approval ratings were rising.

Obama as juggler: Multi-tasking mold shapes today's presidencyupdated: Tue May 03 2011 07:25:00

On Saturday he was the comedian-in-chief, cracking jokes with reporters and celebrities at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner.

Obama reacts to bin Laden jokeupdated: Tue May 03 2011 07:25:00

"Saturday Night Live" star Seth Meyers jokes about Osama bin Laden shortly before his death was announced.

11 political myths and conspiracy theories that still persistupdated: Thu Apr 21 2011 10:00:00

Sex, lies and murder. Americans seem to love conspiracy theories and too-good-to-be-true rumors -- type "George W. Bush IQ" into Google and watch what you get -- especially when it comes to politics.

Sarah Vowell's voyage through Hawaiian historyupdated: Thu Apr 21 2011 09:35:00

When most people go to Hawaii, they head to the beach to relax and get a tan. Sarah Vowell locks herself in historical libraries.

Larry Flynt defends free speechupdated: Wed Apr 20 2011 13:09:00

Hustler's Larry Flynt tells CNN's Piers Morgan why he thinks there shouldn't be any limitations on the First Amendment.

Larry Flynt on sex and presidentsupdated: Wed Apr 20 2011 13:09:00

"I don't have any regrets," Larry Flynt tells CNN's Piers Morgan. "And I do feel that I've done a great deal to expand the parameters of free speech."

Fortune: Government shutdowns: Boehner vs. Gingrichupdated: Fri Apr 08 2011 12:13:00

With only hours to go before a shutdown, Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill still haven't struck a deal to fund the federal government. The round-the-clock backroom negotiating between the two sides continues -- and an agreement is reportedly within reach.

Which GOP will run against Obama?updated: Tue Apr 05 2011 07:54:00

When George W. Bush finished his presidency, many observers wondered what the Republican Party would look like in the succeeding years. With Democrats in control of Congress and the White House, pundits declared the party was in crisis.

Obama files for re-electionupdated: Tue Apr 05 2011 07:54:00

President Obama declares his candidacy in a video that doesn't feature him in it. CNN's Jessica Yellin reports.

What changed after the Reagan shootingupdated: Wed Mar 30 2011 12:40:00

Ronald Reagan was shot 30 years ago Wednesday. His grace under fire helped him solidify the support and affection of the American people. It also helped propel his economic policies through a Democratic-controlled Congress and put American politics on a different trajectory.

1981: CNN's coverage of Reagan shootingupdated: Wed Mar 30 2011 12:40:00

After President Reagan was shot, it was unknown if he'd been hit. See how CNN covered the breaking news 30 years ago this month.

Reagan shooting: 'Thought we'd lost him'updated: Wed Mar 30 2011 12:12:00

Ronald Reagan and his secret service agent describe how close the president came to dying 30 years ago on March 30.

How the 'Obama doctrine' compares with predecessorsupdated: Tue Mar 29 2011 21:13:00

U.S. presidents throughout modern history have developed their own foreign policy doctrines as conflicts around the world tested their leadership.

Are Democrats, unions really in sync?updated: Tue Mar 15 2011 12:49:00

The success of Gov. Scott Walker and his fellow Wisconsin Republicans at stripping most collective bargaining rights from public unions has triggered a fierce political backlash.

Shaping up the 2012 presidential fieldupdated: Tue Mar 08 2011 15:15:00

Two former presidential candidates, former Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Lamar Alexander, dissect presidential politics.

Why Obama will be tough to beatupdated: Tue Mar 08 2011 15:15:00

Republicans are looking ahead -- some with glee and others with fear -- to the presidential election in 2012.

Tapes reveal Thurgood Marshall's rocky road to the Supreme Courtupdated: Thu Feb 24 2011 13:15:00

"I'm going to appoint Thurgood Marshall to the (Supreme) Court."

Jobs before they were presidentupdated: Wed Feb 23 2011 10:19:00

Everybody has to start somewhere. That includes all of the celebrities, billionaires, executives and CEOs of the world -- even U.S. presidents.

What's wrong with presidential rankingsupdated: Mon Feb 21 2011 10:38:00

Since the late 1940s, it has been an American custom for pollsters and publications to release a ranking of U.S. presidents.

Presidents aren't Hollywood heroes anymoreupdated: Sun Feb 20 2011 09:21:00

So there is Abraham Lincoln -- Henry Fonda, actually, in a stovepipe hat -- walking toward the horizon as the gorgeous strains of an orchestra swell up behind him. Soon the orchestra is joined by a choir, the strings and the voices blending into a beautiful, almost ethereal, rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Thunder crackles in the cinematic sky.

Rumsfeld says Democrats key in early political formationupdated: Thu Feb 10 2011 02:12:00

During Donald Rumsfeld's first public appearance since the release of his new book, he praised many former elected officials and a surprising number of them were Democrats.

Ronald Reagan: In his own wordsupdated: Sun Feb 06 2011 00:50:00

A look back at the highs and lows of Ronald Reagan's presidency and post-presidency.

Ronald Reagan restored faith in Americaupdated: Fri Feb 04 2011 23:40:00

The 100th anniversary of the birth of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan, is Sunday. On that day and during the year ahead, there will be many celebrations of the life of a man who remains one of the most beloved and respected of our modern presidents.

Reagan's essence was optimism, patriotismupdated: Fri Feb 04 2011 09:00:00

This weekend commences the celebrations across the country and world of the 100th birthday of our 40th president, Ronald Wilson Reagan. I was privileged to serve President Reagan in two capacities, first as his chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and then again as his secretary of education.

There's no right of revolution in a democracyupdated: Thu Jan 27 2011 08:30:00

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." -- Second Amendment to U.S. Constitution

1961: JFK swears inupdated: Thu Jan 20 2011 15:37:00

John Fitzgerald Kennedy becomes the 35th president of the United States of America on January 20, 1961.

Guard against risk of political killingsupdated: Mon Jan 10 2011 11:17:00

When people call the shootings in Tucson senseless, they are absolutely right. By all reports, the alleged Tucson shooter was seriously mentally ill and quite probably schizophrenic.

Giffords advocated 'mindful' rhetoricupdated: Mon Jan 10 2011 11:17:00

Communications director for Rep. Giffords, C.J. Karamargin, talks about how this event could the national tone.

5 geniuses who renounced their workupdated: Sun Dec 05 2010 09:31:00

It's tough being brilliant. It's even tougher when you hate your own masterpieces.

Palin, I knew Reagan. You're no Reagan.updated: Wed Dec 01 2010 23:53:00

The first date is over. Not much happened. President Obama and his new governing partners, the House and Senate Republicans, met at the White House along with the Democratic leaders and discussed the unsolvable issues between them.

McCain compares Palin to Reaganupdated: Wed Dec 01 2010 23:53:00

Sen. John McCain says he thinks Sarah Palin is doing a great job and compares her to Reagan in terms of divisiveness.

Democrats need Pelosi's toughnessupdated: Tue Nov 16 2010 06:07:00

This week, visitors entering Washington's Union Station are greeted by a work of art -- a two-story, red open-toed lady's dress shoe. It reminds me of Cinderella's lost glass slipper. I thought to myself, if someone is looking for the woman big enough to fill this, they need look no further than Nancy Pelosi.

Fun facts about presidential memoirsupdated: Mon Sep 20 2010 11:54:00

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's memoir, "A Journey," is sparking all sorts of picketing and protesting around the U.K., so we thought it might be a good time to take a look at a few presidential memoirs from this side of the pond.

CNNMoney: Taxes: What people forget about Reaganupdated: Sun Sep 12 2010 08:21:00

Those who oppose higher taxes and are fed up with record levels of U.S. debt may pine for Ronald Reagan, the patron saint of lower taxes and smaller government.

U.S. was born a Christian nationupdated: Sat Aug 28 2010 19:28:00

Will Bunch's CNN.com tirade earlier this week against television host Glenn Beck and David Barton -- the founder and president of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that emphasizes history's "moral, religious and constitutional heritage" -- for allegedly creating "pseudo history" reveals more about Mr. Bunch than it does about what Mr. Beck and Mr. Barton are presenting.

North Korea frees Americanupdated: Fri Aug 27 2010 19:10:00

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has secured the release of an American held by Pyongyang CNN's John Vause reports.

Freed American arrives home from North Koreaupdated: Fri Aug 27 2010 19:10:00

Aijalon Mahli Gomes, the U.S. citizen sentenced to eight years of hard labor for crossing over the Chinese border into North Korea, arrived home Friday afternoon with the man who secured his freedom, former President Jimmy Carter.

Glenn Beck rewrites civil rights historyupdated: Thu Aug 26 2010 12:02:00

"We are on the right side of history! We are on the side of individual freedoms and liberties and, dammit, we will reclaim the civil rights moment. We will take that movement -- because we were the people who did it in the first place." -- Glenn Beck, on his nationally syndicated radio program, May 26.

Carter to go to North Korea to secure release of detained Americanupdated: Wed Aug 25 2010 01:58:00

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is planning to go to North Korea this week in the hopes of securing the release of an American man imprisoned for illegally entering the communist nation, officials said.

Jimmy Carter to go to North Korea on rescue missionupdated: Tue Aug 24 2010 13:28:00

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter plans to go to North Korea this week in the hope of securing the release of an American man being held there, two senior administration officials and another source familiar with the trip said.

Criticism likely to follow Obama on upcoming vacationupdated: Mon Aug 23 2010 09:43:00

President Obama and his family are spending time away from Washington but their weeklong vacation on Martha's Vineyard is unlikely to be free of controversy.

Presidential vacationsupdated: Mon Aug 23 2010 09:43:00

CNN's Dan Lothian reports on the flack president's have faced for spending time outside of Washington on vacation.

Why Obama is not first 'imposter' president and won't be the lastupdated: Tue Aug 17 2010 15:27:00

One American president's legitimacy was questioned because he was accused of wearing women's underwear.

Fortune: Curtis Roosevelt on lessons from FDRupdated: Wed Aug 04 2010 14:45:00

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's grandson, Curtis Roosevelt, recently gave this speech about the presidents at an event in Washington, DC.

Churchill's false teeth sell for $23,000updated: Thu Jul 29 2010 13:08:00

A pair of false teeth worn by Winston Churchill have sold at auction for more than $23,000 -- on the same day that plans were announced to put the British wartime leader's archive papers online for the first time.

We can't afford to be cynical about deficitsupdated: Thu Jun 24 2010 17:08:00

America is facing trillion dollar deficits and unprecedented national debt. The Tea Party movement has channeled populist anger at out-of-control Washington spending and generational theft.

Smithsonian's real-time oil researchupdated: Tue Jun 22 2010 10:20:00

The Smithsonian Institution weighs in on the Gulf spill and its long term effects. CNN's Kate Bolduan reports.

How the power of oil dogged former presidents, and could tar Obamaupdated: Tue Jun 22 2010 10:20:00

The president was young, a Harvard-educated intellectual admired for his charisma and skill with the written word.

Obama waiting to see if his bets pay offupdated: Mon Jun 14 2010 11:12:00

Even if he were to serve eight years in office, Barack Obama has likely already made all the most important decisions of his presidency. That's the nature of the presidency: The big decisions almost always come early, and then the president must live with them for better or worse.

5 presidents more 'radical' than Obamaupdated: Tue Apr 13 2010 06:48:00

Newt Gingrich called President Obama "the most radical president in American history" at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference last week.

Rare letter from Teddy Roosevelt to son 'Quenty-Quee' hits marketupdated: Thu Apr 08 2010 10:32:00

A rare letter evincing a display of affection between President Theodore Roosevelt and his youngest son is up for sale by a dealer who obtained it from a Roosevelt family friend.

Obama throws out first pitch at Nationals home openerupdated: Tue Apr 06 2010 11:11:00

President Obama continued a century-old baseball tradition among the nation's chief executives Monday, throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals' home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Obama kicks off Nationals' seasonupdated: Tue Apr 06 2010 11:11:00

Pres. Obama faces a mix of cheers and jeers during his ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals' home opener.

Obama will take to mound for presidential traditionupdated: Thu Apr 01 2010 14:19:00

A presidential tradition that dates 100 years will continue Monday: President Obama will throw out the first pitch before the Washington Nationals take on the Philadelphia Phillies.

Risk for GOP comes from extreme fringeupdated: Tue Mar 30 2010 15:40:00

As he stood before the delegates of the 1964 Republican Convention in San Francisco, California, Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater, the party's presidential nominee, said, "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

How words can incite violenceupdated: Tue Mar 30 2010 15:40:00

Death threats and vandalism in the wake of the health care vote spark a conversation about the power of words.

Moses is America's prophetupdated: Mon Mar 29 2010 13:28:00

This Saturday, millions of Americans will watch the annual spectacle of Charlton Heston acting the part of a Cold War hero in Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments." The TV air date is no accident.

Presidential shamrock ceremony had inauspicious beginningupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 00:26:00

It was a balmy March day in Washington as the Irish ambassador to the U.S. headed to the White House. He carried a small gift for the president: a box of Irish shamrock in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Rahm Emanuel in the political crosshairsupdated: Tue Mar 09 2010 20:34:00

White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is accustomed to working in the shadows, but he now finds himself the subject of newspaper stories.

The $50 question: Grant or Reagan?updated: Wed Mar 03 2010 15:05:00

Should Ulysses S. Grant, the legendary Union general and 18th president of the United States, be bumped from his 96-year stint on the $50 bill?

Health summit site already part of presidential historyupdated: Thu Feb 25 2010 09:12:00

Sixteen-fifty-one Pennsylvania Avenue isn't quite as famous as the address right across the street.

Poll: 3 of 4 think our most trusted presidents have liedupdated: Mon Feb 22 2010 07:45:00

Folklore says that George Washington was known for never telling a lie.

Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig dies at 85updated: Sat Feb 20 2010 09:51:00

Alexander Haig, the former military officer, secretary of state and adviser to presidents, died Saturday, a Johns Hopkins Medical Center spokesman said.

White House veteran Haig hospitalizedupdated: Fri Feb 19 2010 18:11:00

Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig has been admitted to a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, a hospital spokesman said.

Obama can model Ike in fighting off GOP hawksupdated: Wed Feb 17 2010 09:33:00

Republicans have accelerated their attacks on President Obama's performance on national security. A few weeks ago, House Republican Minority Leader John Boehner accused the White House of having a "pre-September 11" mentality.

What you may not know about Presidents Dayupdated: Mon Feb 15 2010 15:31:00

Retailers open their doors Monday and roll out big sales to entice customers. Government employees -- along with kids -- have the day off. But do you know why?

1 year in: Will fortune smile on Obama?updated: Mon Jan 25 2010 13:41:00

Tuesday's Democratic meltdown in Massachusetts not only wreaks havoc with the president's health care legislation; it jeopardizes the legacy of a leader who barely two months ago was summoning up links to the ghosts of great presidents past.

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