All DC Decoder
How do you fix a polarized D.C.? Here are three ways.D.C. politics is becoming more polarized, and a vast swath of Americans aren't happy about it. A bipartisan group of former politicians recommends three broad fixes.
Cochran vs. McDaniel and four more hot primary races to watchTwo of the longest-serving members of Congress are vying to keep their seats, while tea party-backed candidates aim for more upsets of establishment Republicans.
Immigration reform? Nah, these are the GOP's three biggest battles.The House GOP has a new leadership team and is happy. But three big challenges lie ahead that could reopen old fissures. And they're not in the headlines.
Mississippi Senate runoff: Can black voters save Thad Cochran?Sen. Thad Cochran is facing a tight runoff Tuesday in the Republican primary with the tea party-backed Chris McDaniel. Looking for an edge, he's appealing to African-American voters. It's a tactic that has raised eyebrows.
Neocons, critics fight over who鈥檚 responsible for Iraq messAs the Obama administration jumps back into Iraq with military advisers, political combatants are fighting over who created the problem in the first place.
Would immigration reform make border crisis better 鈥� or worse?Both sides of the immigration reform debate can point to the border, with 50,000 kids flooding across this year, to back their positions. But in the end, they'll probably need each other.
Americans agree with Obama on Iraq, yet score him low on foreign policyA new poll shows Obama鈥檚 foreign policy ranking at an all-time low. Most Americans agree with him on Iraq, but are wary of sending hundreds of military advisers back there.
Tea party Republican breaks through to House GOP leadershipThe tea party has claimed its first spot in House leadership with the election of Rep. Steve Scalise to the No. 3 post 鈥� majority whip. Will he ease GOP tensions or make them worse?
Should US intervene in Iraq? What key players are saying.Iraqi Prime Minister聽Nouri al-Maliki has asked the US to supply air strikes to quash a rising Islamic insurgency. Here's a roundup of what influential voices are saying.
House Republicans elect new leaders: Who are they?After the defeat of Eric Cantor, House Republicans were forced to elect a new House majority leader and whip. A look at who they are, and how they might lead.
Obama's Iraq plan: a middle path from a conflicted presidentObama does not want to get the US involved in Iraq again, but he also knows the threat presented by a civil war there. His plan announced Thursday weighs those concerns.
House leadership reshuffle 101: Who does what?House Republicans are voting today to fill leadership positions in the wake of majority leader Eric Cantor's surprise defeat in the Virginia primary. The job of majority whip could open up, too.
Obamacare premiums rising in 2015, but not at 'death spiral' paceThe success of Obamacare hinges to a significant degree on keeping premium hikes down. New data show increases in some states, but so far, they're not too steep.
Democrat vs. Democrat: five tough primaries that pit left against itself Republicans have become famous for eating their own in primaries. The Democrats? Not so much. But there are still a handful of interesting Democrat vs. Democrat races this cycle. Here鈥檚 a list:
Why Benghazi suspect's capture isn't all good news for Hillary ClintonHillary Clinton could argue the capture of聽Ahmed Abu Khattala closes the door on the Benghazi episode. But for her GOP critics, it could be a durable re-opener.
Would US air strikes work against Iraq insurgents?President Obama has few options as Iraq insurgents move toward Baghdad. Air strikes are one possibility. But their effectiveness might be limited without boots on the ground.- How is money reshaping American politics? Take our quiz.
Since the American Republic's founding, money has had a role to play in politics right along with candidates, voters, and election laws. The debate over the influence of lobbyists and political donors over government policies is now amplified in an era of increasingly unlimited contributions, the obscurity of "dark money," and the growing wealth gap between the ultra rich and ordinary Americans. Here's a quiz where you can test (and expand) your knowledge.
Obama to sign order supporting gay workers. Why now?President Obama will soon sign an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against gays, lesbians, and others based on their sexual orientation. The gay-rights lobby has long wanted this measure.聽
Eric Cantor: Could he be the next Karl Rove?In the Republican split over how cozy to be with big business, Eric Cantor and David Brat were on opposite poles. Now Mr. Brat could be headed for Congress. But Mr. Cantor could remain influential in D.C.
'Who lost Iraq?' The political fight over America鈥檚 longest warAs the situation in Iraq deteriorates, the Washington blame game begins. The Obama administration for pulling out or the Bush administration for invading and occupying Iraq in the first place?
