Politics

Before we get deep into the news of the Super Tuesday primaries, here's something from the lighter side of politics.

State lawmakers have already defeated several bills dealing with the controversial drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing this session. But a new executive order from Governor John Hickenlooper stands to put the issue in the spotlight once again. He’s created a new task force to examine the balance of power between local oil and gas regulations and state rules. The group holds its first meeting on Friday.

During his first news conference of the year, President Obama defended his decision not to intervene militarily in Iran and Syria.

"Sometimes [force] is necessary but we don't do it casually," he said. "There is a cost and we don't play politics with it."

Obama described the situation in Syria as "more complicated" than the situation in Libya and said deploying the military is not the only way to solve problems.