MINNESOTA
Bachmann draws Thatcher foreign-policy comparison
MINNEAPOLIS | Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann is harkening back to a past female world leader with firm resolve - former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - as she tries to convince American veterans that she would make a strong commander in chief.
Mrs. Bachmann shed led light Thursday on her foreign-policy views in a speech to the American Legion’s national convention in her home state of Minnesota. President Obama addressed the convention earlier in the week.
Mrs. Bachmann said the world needs to know America has a “strong leader” like Mrs. Thatcher and her contemporary President Reagan. She says it would show that the United States won’t “conduct our foreign policy apologetically, such as leading from behind.”
Mrs. Bachmann emphasized her role on the House Intelligence Committee as evidence she knows pressing threats.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Huntsman sets high expectations with win
MANCHESTER | Brushing off bad poll numbers, presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman predicts he’ll win New Hampshire’s Republican primary.
The former Utah governor set high expectations Thursday at the popular Politics and Eggs discussion series. His comments came in the same week he earned just 1 percent in two national polls.
He says polls are meaningless this early.
Mr. Huntsman also offered a subtle jab at Texas Gov. Rick Perry, his Republican opponent and someone he later called a friend. Mr. Huntsman said he brought only his wife to the packed event instead of a large entourage or the Texas Rangers, a reference to Mr. Perry’s security detail.
Mr. Huntsman met with voters a day after calling for lowering corporate tax rates and ending loopholes.
Appearing earlier Thursday on NBC’s “Today,” Mr. Huntsman criticized his GOP rivals, saying “we’re getting drama but not solutions.”
Asked if Mr. Perry and Mrs. Bachmann are too far to the right to beat President Obama in 2012, he said voters “don’t want politics at the extreme ends.”
WHITE HOUSE
Obama to attend U.N. General Assembly
President Obama will attend the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting later this month.
The White House says Mr. Obama also will meet with world leaders on the sidelines of the conference while he’s in New York from Sept. 19 through 21. The White House did not name any of the leaders with whom Mr. Obama may meet during the trip.
The president also plans to address the Clinton Global Initiative, following up on speeches there last year and in 2009.
Former President Bill Clinton’s annual gathering brings together current and former heads of state, business leaders and representatives of nongovernmental and philanthropic organizations to come up with solutions to world problems.
CALIFORNIA
Berkeley professor confirmed to state’s Supreme Court
SAN FRANCISCO | A University of California at Berkeley law professor whose nomination to a federal appeals court was blocked by Senate Republicans is about to become a member of the California Supreme Court.
The state’s three-member Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously voted to approve Goodwin Liu’s nomination by Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday. The governor was scheduled to swear in Mr. Liu on Thursday.
Several influential Republican senators who took exception to Mr. Liu’s outspoken opposition to Samuel Anthony Alito Jr.’s 2006 appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court prevented Mr. Liu from becoming a member of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after President Obama nominated him last year.
Mr. Brown then nominated Mr. Liu to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Carlos R. Moreno, the high court’s only Latino.
Of the 1,500 letters the judicial commission received, only about two dozen opposed Mr. Liu’s appointment.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Officials warn of 9/11, Hurricane Irene scams
Homeland Security officials are warning the public to beware of email scams and possible cyberattacks related to Hurricane Irene and the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
New bulletins issued by the Homeland Security Department’s cybersecurity center say computer users should be wary of emails with subject lines referring to the recent hurricane or 9/11 even if they appear to come from reputable sources.
The emails could be so-called phishing scams that masquerade as legitimate requests for personal information or fundraising pleas or may include innocent-looking links to videos or photos.
Clicking on the links could download harmful viruses or take users to malicious websites.
The bulletins were distributed to cyber-security and critical-infrastructure personnel. They were obtained by the Associated Press.
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