Inside Politics

The bet sparked charges that Mr. Romney, a wealthy businessman, is out of step with economic challenges facing ordinary Americans.

Mr. Romney said what the American people are tired of is President Obama deflecting blame for his failed economic policies.

HOUSE

Boehner will nominate new sergeant at arms

House Speaker John A. Boehner said Monday he will nominate former Secret Service official Paul D. Irving as the chamber’s 37th sergeant at arms.

Mr. Irving, if his nomination is approved, would replace House Sergeant at Arms William “Bill” Livingood, who will retire in January after 17 years as the chamber’s chief law enforcer.

A vote on Mr. Irving’s nomination is scheduled for Jan. 17 - the opening day of the second session of the 112th Congress.

“Paul Irving’s 25-year career in the U.S. Secret Service earned him the strongest possible recommendations for this important post,” Mr. Boehner said. “His high-level federal law enforcement experience, including a number of assignments working closely with the Congress, will be invaluable to the House.”

Mr. Irving, 54, joined the Secret Service as a special agent in 1983. He rose to a supervisory position on the Presidential Protective Division and served as deputy assistant director for congressional affairs and assistant director for government and public affairs.

In 2003, he was detailed to the White House as a member of the transition team responsible for assembling the Homeland Security Department. He retired from the Secret Service in 2008 as assistant director for administration, a position responsible for overseeing the agency’s budget.

WHITE HOUSE

First lady’s effort helps break record for most jumping jacks

Michelle Obama now holds part of a world record.

The first lady announced in an email Monday that her October bid to break the record for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period succeeded. Mrs. Obama says 300,265 people participated, shattering the old record.

In order to achieve her goal, Mrs. Obama led about 400 elementary and middle-school students from Washington in jumping jacks on the South Lawn of the White House. Other jumping jacks events were held around the world on Oct. 11.

Story Continues →