Nukes & Reactionaries: Boehner, Netanhayu and the Real Nuclear Threat

Chicago Hope: “Chuy” García’s Historic Challenge to Big-Money Politics

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Attempting to lessen the presumed impact of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu’s barnstorming speech before Congress tomorrow, the White House has published a brief touting “5 Things You Need to Know About the U.S.-Israel Relationship Under President Obama.” Summary: Billions in aid, strong defense of an ally, diplomatic help with its neighbors, high-volume trade, and millions to help with refugees.

Protocol-breaking House Majority leader John Boehner and his crass invitee Netanyahu nonetheless are banking on the speech to derail current U.S. negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program. But it also can help Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party get re-elected March 17, and help Boehner consolidate his fraying power among fellow Republicans while depriving Obama of much to boast about in his remaining two years.

Leid Stories explains the real nuclear threat that Netanyahu poses.

All political eyes are on Chicago, where the incumbent mayor, Rahm Emanuel, unexpectedly finds himself in a dead heat with dark-horse candidate Jesús “Chuy” García, who last Tuesday shut Emanuel out of an easy re-election bid and forced him into a runoff April 7. It will be the first mayoral runoff in Chicago history.

Outspent 12 to 1, García, a Cook County commissioner, found victory in grassroots-coalition support and intense voter dislike of Emanuel’s policies and personality.

Leid Stories discusses the significance of García’s stunning showing.