By Hunter Walker 8/16/12 11:33am

Mixed Messages

Paul Ryan (Photo: Getty)

Paul Ryan Calls Obama China’s ‘Doorman’ ‘Doormat’

The latest campaign controversy to rock this election’s 24-second news cycle came after Reuters campaign correspondent Sam Youngman wrote on Twitter that Paul Ryan “said that even though potus said he would crack down on China ‘they’re treating him like a doorman’” at an event in Ohio. The quote was also picked up by Politico’s Juana Summers, however it quickly became clear that Mr. Ryan actually called President Barack Obama China’s “doormat,” a phrase which, while still insulting, is far less racially charged. Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/04/12 4:14pm

Provocateurs

Ann Coulter (Photo: Getty)

Ann Coulter Responds To Furor Over Her Blind Man Joke By Making More Blind Man Jokes

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter caused an uproar this afternoon after she posted a Tweet mocking Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng for his blindness, but she has no regrets. Ms. Coulter told The Politicker she thinks the Tweet was funny and she’s surprised people were offended on behalf of the blind rather than mad at her for being insensitive to the plight of people living in China.

“Wow.  I felt worse about making light of communist hellholes known for slaughtering their own people, but it still made me laugh,” Ms. Coulter said when we asked her about the controversy.

She also shared another bit of blindness-based humor with us. Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/04/12 10:31am

Educational Opportunities

Chen Guangcheng (Photo: Getty)

Chinese Dissident Escapes By Studying Abroad

Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese activist who wanted to hitch a ride out of Beijing on Hillary Clinton’s plane, is college bound. The State Department struck a deal with the Chinese foreign ministry to have Mr. Chen come to America for a university fellowship.

“If he wants to study abroad, he can apply through normal channels to the relevant departments, according to the law, just like any other Chinese citizen,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said in a statement.

Soon after, the State Department announced a deal for Mr. Chen to come study at an as-yet-unnamed university and said the Chinese government agreed to accept his study abroad application.  Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/03/12 10:20am

Foreign Affairs

Hillary Clinton (Photo: Getty)

Chinese Activist Wants To Hitch a Ride With Hillary Clinton

Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese activist who made a daring escape from the home where he was living under armed guard late last month wants Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to fly him to America. Mr. Guangcheng, who is currently in a Beijing hospital recovering from a broken foot he sustained during his late night dash, asked for Ms. Clinton’s help in an interview with the Daily Beast.

“My fervent hope is that it would be possible for me and my family to leave for the U.S. on Hillary Clinton’s plane,” Mr. Guangcheng said. Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/01/11 3:02pm

Campaign 2012

Mitt Romney (Getty)

Mitt Takes Manhattan

Republican Presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan today fundraising for his campaign. The Observer stopped by the hotel where we chatted with former New York Stock Exchange chairman and CEO Dick Grasso and got shoved away from Mr. Romney’s Suburban. Read More

By Amanda Sterling 4/29/11 12:30pm

Foreign Affairs

schumerviahisoffice

Club for Growth Labels Schumer ‘Job-Killing Protectionist’ [Update]

Club for Growth president Chris Chocola is denouncing Chuck Schumer, calling the senator a “job-killing protectionist” in response to Schumer’s recent criticism of China’s economic policies.

“Americans benefit from free trade,” said Chocola in a press release this morning. “It forces companies to innovate and compete leading to greater variety, lower prices, and better quality Read More

By Amanda Sterling 4/28/11 6:13pm

foreign relations

US Senator Democrat from New York Charle

Schumer Plans More China Legislation Soon

After a press conference on E-Z Pass fees this afternoon, Senator Chuck Schumer talked a little bit about his recent trip to China, where he met with some of the top American business leaders in the region to talk trade policy.

“We talked about currency, we met with the American Chamber of Commerce,” said the Read More