The Obama administration is aware of the growing alarm over its inability to fill long-standing judicial vacancies. White House officials frequently voice displeasure with the pace, offer heated indictments of the GOP’s stalling tactics, and occasionally threaten to circumvent the Congressional process. But for all the rhetoric, threats and critiques, even sympathetic observers acknowledge that the president is largely powerless (if not helpless) on the matter.

That’s because both he and allies in Congress simply lack the tools to force the Republican Party’s hand.

This past Friday, the Associated Press published a rather shocking report about just how poor Obama’s record on judicial vacancies is. “Fewer than half of Obama’s nominees have been confirmed,” the news wire wrote, “102 out of 854 judgeships are vacant,” and “forty-seven of those vacancies have been labeled emergencies by the judiciary because of heavy caseloads.”

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Obama Left Largely Helpless As Judicial Vacancies Reach Crisis

The Jane Addams Hull House, a tiny museum on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, is reopening Wednesday after an $800,000 makeover, the largest in its history.

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Jane Addams Hull House Reopens Following Renovation

As the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) battles to keep ahead of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), a handful of Democrats who are either in solidly safe seats or retiring have yet to pay their dues to the House fundraising arm — funds that would go toward boosting the election chances of their vulnerable colleagues.

The Huffington Post obtained the dues sheets for several of these House members. In total, they owe $2,134,509 in unpaid dues to the DCCC. All members, except Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), have enough cash on hand to cover the balance. Individually, they owe anywhere between $45,000 and $250,000.

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Safe, Retiring House Democrats Owe More Than $2 Million In DCCC Dues

WASHINGTON — As Democrats brace for a November wave that threatens their control of the House, party leaders are preparing a brutal triage of their own members in hopes of saving enough seats to keep a slim grip on the majority.

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National Democrats May Choose To Abandon Betsy Markey Campaign

DAIRA DINPANAH, Pakistan — Abdul Rehman and his family live under a tree next to a pile of rubble on a newly created island where his house used to be.

In the month since his home was destroyed in the raging floodwaters that inundated Pakistan, he has gotten no aid of any kind from the government or private aid groups to help him survive, he said.

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Many Pakistanis Still Waiting For Flood Aid

Check out the first promos for the 11th season of Dancing with the Stars!

Women in competition include Brandy, Dirty Dancing’s Jennifer Grey, Margaret Cho, The Hills‘ Audrina Patridge, Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson and Bristol Palin.

Male contestants include Michael Bolton, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino (not pictured), David Hasselhoff, retired NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, Cory in the House actor Kyle Massey and Rick Fox.

DWTS returns Monday, September 20 at 8/7c on ABC!

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Dancing With The Stars’ Season 11 Promos — FIRST LOOK!

Under Armour’s is out with a new “I Will Protect This House” commercial, and the apparel company’s latest offering features female athletes, most notably Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsey Vonn. The ad shows Vonn training, lifting weights and standing on a balance ball. The commercial also features Olympic track athlete Monica Hargrove and Lauren Cheney of the USA national soccer team. Scroll down to watch the video.

(Via Fourth-Place Medal)

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Lindsey Vonn Stars In New Under Armour Commercial (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON — Departing White House economist Christina Romer says the government has the tools for bringing down unemployment, but policymakers need to find the will and wisdom to use them.

Romer called on officials Wednesday to move forward on policies that will increase government spending and cut taxes. She also called for investments in infrastructure and new trade agreements.

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Christina Romer, Departing White House Economist, Calls For More Spending

WASHINGTON — House investigators have recommended that three lawmakers be further investigated to determine whether political contributions were improperly linked to votes on the huge financial overhaul bill.

The independent House Office of Congressional Ethics recommended that the member-run House ethics committee pursue potential rules violations by Republicans John Campbell of California and Tom Price of Georgia and Democrat Joseph Crowley of New York.

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3 Reps Under Further Investigation Over Alleged Bribery Tied To Financial Reform Votes

• Samantha Ronson’s dog allegedly fought and killed another dog – PopEater
• Could you see Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber in Grease? – Just Jared Jr
• Kim Kardashian compliments Khloe on something very personal – Huffington Post
• Troy Polamalu’s hair gets insured for $1 million – DListed
• Maggie Q shows off her amazing swimsuit bod – Hollywood Tuna
• See a new interpretation of Katy Perry’s “Peacock” – Towleroad
• Could Paris Hilton be going to jail on drug charges? – Radar
• The Jersey Shore girls do body shots – Celebuzz
• Paris Hilton’s boyfriend loses his job over legal woes – Celebslam
• Check out Jimmy Fallon’s backstage videos from the Emmys – ASL
• What did critics think of Taylor Swift’s “Mine” video? – Idolator
• Robert Pattinson heads out of Soho House – Splash

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Samantha Ronson’s Dog Kills Another Dog?