All DC Decoder
Is Ebola Obama鈥檚 Katrina moment? No and yesCritics say Ebola is President Obama's Katrina 鈥� a major disaster poorly handled. The administration has acknowledged missteps in its handling of Ebola. But the comparison is thin.聽
FocusJoni Ernst faces big problem in Iowa Senate race: women votersRepublican Joni Ernst is trying to become the first woman elected to Congress from Iowa. But in her Senate race 鈥� like others nationwide 鈥� women voters could be a lifeline for the Democrats.
Iowa Senate race: Has Joni Ernst gained an edge with positive ads?Negative ads are still the norm in political campaigns, but the Iowa Senate race has highlighted when and how positive ads can work.
Election 2014: Democrats' hidden agenda in House battleDemocrats have pulled back from races to take over Republican seats and are focused on saving seats they already have. But in battle for the House, they're also looking ahead to 2016.聽
Long-term unemployment falling: How much credit for Obama?The number of long-term unemployed has fallen by 900,000 since December, the White House says. Many economists say President Obama鈥檚 efforts at fiscal stimulus have helped.
How did Senate races in Georgia, New Hampshire become too close to call?New polls show an underdog Democrat in Georgia and an underdog Republican in New Hampshire close on the heels of the Senate favorites in the two states.
Chris Christie sinking in New Jersey: Trouble for 2016?N.J. Gov. Chris Christie is increasingly unpopular in his home state, a new poll shows. That could take away a key selling point for the presidency, as it did for Mitt Romney.
Chaos in the Senate race: Why 2014 is getting so hard to predictWith independent candidates making strong showings in South Dakota and Kansas, as well as the possibility of a runoff election in Louisiana or Georgia, control of the Senate may not be decided until well after Nov. 4.
Election 2014: Obama woos Millennials at 'tech incubator'Young adults are critical to Democrats' chances in Nov. 4 midterms. President Obama will acknowledge their job and student-debt woes, while touting gains in health coverage and employment.聽
Why China will unseat US as world's largest economy by year's endBy one measure, China's economy is set to outpace that of the United States by the end of the 2014, according to the latest annual report from the International Monetary Fund.
Barack who? Democrats flee Obama in Tuesday Senate debates.Republicans hammered Democrats in Tuesday's Senate debates for their ties to President Obama, even if they hadn't served in Washington. Some Democrats took the bait, others didn't.
Election 2014 boasts a bumper crop of political dynastiesFrom Michelle Nunn, David Perdue, and Jason Carter in Georgia to Sen. Mark Pryor in Arkansas, a bumper crop of political scions are running for office. In the case of Democrats in red states, the family name may be key to staying competitive.
FocusHas politics lost its 'human touch'? Louisiana Senate race is test case.For the parties, getting people to vote is all about marrying voter data and high-tech capabilities with a human touch: interaction with voters 鈥� on the phone, at their door, via snail mail. Here's how this is happening in the Louisiana Senate race.
Gay marriage: Will Supreme Court drive angry voters to polls?Conservatives are furious that the US Supreme Court has overturned gay marriage bans in five states, with others to follow. They are putting out voter guides and knocking on doors.聽
Gay marriage: How Supreme Court bombshell could affect midterm electionsSupreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage cases, a big move that changes the complexion of American politics on a divisive social issue. If a candidate is out of step with his or her state, it could sway critical votes.
Polls: Good news for Democrats in Kansas Senate raceRepublicans have a good chance of taking control of the US Senate in the November election. But one race could trip them up: The close fight between incumbent Pat Roberts and independent challenger Greg Orman, who's leading in most polls.
But wait, there's more bad news about the Secret ServiceIn the wake of mounting allegations of wrongdoing at the US Secret Service, critics say the agency's top officials 鈥� not just the director 鈥� failed to create an atmosphere of responsibility. "There are too many incompetent managers," says one insider.
Unemployment drops below 6 percent: Can it help Democrats?This last snapshot of the job market before midterm elections marks聽the first time the unemployment rate has dropped below 6 percent since 2008. But the total share of Americans who have jobs has recovered only modestly.
Despite new Ebola case, US has good track record stopping pandemicsWhile the response to the first diagnosed case of Ebola in America has not been perfect, the US and the world have effectively contained several outbreaks of other diseases in recent years, from SARS to H1N1.
Battle for the Senate: Who else is spending like the Koch Brothers?The big spenders cross the political spectrum from Charles and David Koch and the US Chamber of Commerce on the right to billionaires Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer on the left. But the key name in US campaign funding is 'anonymous.'
