In New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders leads Hillary Clinton in new poll

Sept. 6, 2015 9:17 PM PT

In Boston, Obama is set to announce effort to increase benefits for workers

President Obama announced a major climate change plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions during an event in the White House on Aug. 3.

On Monday President Obama is set to announce a new step toward increased benefits for workers: ordering companies that do business with the government to provide paid sick leave for their employees.

The Times' Lisa Mascaro notes that the step adds to a series of executive actions Obama has taken and comes as Congress resists legislation to change labor conditions and pay to cover all private-sector workers.

Obama plans to make the announcement in Boston.

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4:30 P.M. | OP-ED

Bernie Sanders' Labor Day index

The presidential contender took a Harper's Magazine-style look at income inequality for our Sunday op-ed page. See more of Sanders' findings in the full slide show >>

4:05 P.M.

Sound bites from Sunday on this holiday weekend

A few presidential candidates and political operatives appeared on talk shows Sunday. Here are some of the best sound bites from this Labor Day weekend.

I think I'd rather have a president who is tough and puts America first than can win a game of Trivial Pursuit.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was John McCain's 2008 GOP running mate, on CNN's "State of the Union" discussing Donald Trump being stumped by foreign policy questions.

There's nothing more important to me as a Jew than to ensure that Israel's existence is there throughout our generations. I am confident that the process I've gone through to reach this decision is one that will ensure that Israel will be there forever. It is the homeland of my people

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) on CNN's "State of the Union" talking about her support of the Iran deal.

I think, you know, the court has spoken, the court has ruled as everyone know. I -- or most people know, I believe in traditional marriage, but the court has ruled.

Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich on ABC's "This Week" talking about a county clerk in Kentucky refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

4:02 P.M. | COLUMN

Can Donald Trump really win?

A crowd listens as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally and picnic in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in late July.

I talked with Republican wise men last week — sober establishment strategists who have seen many presidential campaigns come and go — to ask them how long the improbable popularity of Donald Trump can last. Reassure me, I said: He can't actually win, right? Their answers surprised me.

Doyle McManus, Washington columnist for the Los Angeles Times

Clinton campaign on latest New Hampshire poll

12:10 P.M.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Colin Powell support Iran deal

Democraatic National Committee Chairwoman U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., speaks at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

It has been a simultaneous exercise in sober, fact-based analysis and emotional soul-searching.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) on her support of the Iran nuclear deal. On Sunday, Colin Powell, who served as secretary of State under President George W. Bush, also voiced his support of the deal.

9:38 A.M. Kurtis Lee

Poll: In New Hampshire, Sanders sees gains while Clinton stumbles

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, speaking here Wednesday, announced Thursday that he'll run for the Democratic nomination for president.

A poll released Sunday showed a significant boost for Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire, where the Vermont senator now leads Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The NBC/Marist poll has Sanders at 41% and Clinton at 32%, while Vice President Joe Biden -- who is mulling whether to enter the Democratic primary contest -- is at 16%.

Among likely Democratic voters in New Hampshire, which holds the first presidential primary, Sanders has seen a 9-percentage-point uptick in support in the Granite State since the last NBC/Marist poll from July. Moreover, Clinton's support has dropped 10 percentage points from July, according to the poll released Sunday.

The poll comes a week after a Des Moines Register/Bloomberg politics survey showed Sanders within within single-digits of Clinton in Iowa, which will hold the first presidential caucuses about five months from now.

On the Republican side, the NBC/Marist poll showed billionaire businessman Donald Trump still polling strong among likely Republican voters in New Hampshire.

Trump is at 28%, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is at 12% and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson is at 11%. In New Hampshire, each of the men have increased their support from July, according to the poll.

However, that's not the case for all members of the crowded GOP field in the state.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was at 14% in July, is now polling at 8%, while Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has seen his polling numbers in the state drop from 12% in July to 4% in September.

8:49 A.M. Kurtis Lee

Carly Fiorina: Clinton was 'clearly' paying attention to private email server

FILE- In this Aug. 14, 2015, file photo, Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina talks to a restaurant patron during a campaign stop at the Starboard Market in Clear Lake, Iowa. CNN on Tuesday, Sept. 1, amended its criteria for the next Republican presidential debate, giving Fiorina a better chance at appearing in the Sept. 16 primetime affair. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Days after Hillary Rodham Clinton said having a private email server while secretary of State wasn't an issue she thought much about , Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina took to the Sunday shows to express doubt.

Fiorina, a former CEO of Hewlett Packard and the only other woman running for president in 2016, offered continued skepticism about Clinton's rationale for using a private email while secretary of State.

Clinton on Friday said in an interview with NBC News that when she became head of the State Department she "was not thinking" a lot about emails.

"She clearly was paying attention," Fiorina said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

"It takes a lot of work to install a private server system in your basement," said Fiorina, noting how Clinton's private email server was installed at her home in Chappaqua, N.Y.

Fiorina has been one of the most vocal critics of Clinton while on the campaign trail, assailing the former first lady as untrustworthy.

In the interview, Fiorina noted that Clinton paid a former 2008 campaign staffer to install the server.

"We know, for example, that she hired into the State Department a political operative who had done IT work on her campaign and for her PAC," said Fiorina. "That actually takes a lot of work."

Fiorina's campaign received a boost last week when CNN changed its debate rules, so now it appears the businesswoman, who has polled well since last month's debate, will be onstage for the prime-time event near Simi Valley later this month.

8:01 A.M. Kurtis Lee

Martin O'Malley wants U.S. to accept 65,000 Syrian refugees next year

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley wants the United States to do more to help the hordes of refugees fleeing Syria and other hot spots.

In an email to supporters Saturday night, O'Malley, who is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, called on the U.S. to accept at least 65,000 refugees next year.

His call echoes that of the International Rescue Committee, which has said the current U.S. commitment to accept 8,000 refugees is only a first step.

Some European allies, such as Germany, have committed to accepting 800,000 refugees.

Last week, a photo of a young Syrian boy's lifeless body washed ashore on a Turkish beach sent reverberations throughout the world and cast more attention on the crisis in Syria.