All Politics
- Kathleen Sebelius departs: 10 flash points in her stewardship of ObamacareKathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services, had the task of implementing the incredibly complex Affordable Care Act. President Obama has named Sylvia Mathews Burwell to replace her.
- GOP wants 'kissing congressman' Vance McAllister out. Is he toast?Congressman Vance McAllister's videotaped smooching of a staffer 'is an embarrassment, and he should resign,' says Bobby Jindal, the Republican governor of his own state. Harsh stuff.
- Kathleen Sebelius resigns as Health secretary: what it means for ObamacarePresident Obama will tap budget director Sylvia Mathews Burwell to replace Kathleen Sebelius. But Obamacare remains a political lightning rod ahead of midterm elections.
- Obama rejects call by 11 Democrats to move on Keystone pipelineBut President Obama still faces a tough political choice: Reject the Keystone XL oil pipeline and risk tipping the Senate to Republicans, or support it and alienate elements of his party's base.
- Obamacare enrollment at 7.5 million. But how are exchanges really doing?Obamacare has now significantly exceeded its enrollment goal, but the bigger question has always been 'who signs up,' not 'how many.' It's still early, but the contours are beginning to emerge.
- In LBJ鈥檚 shadow, Obama honors civil rights legacyPresident Obama praised President Johnson for his ability to charm and horse-trade in enacting a major civil rights law 50 years ago 鈥 skills where critics say Obama falls short.
- Stephen Colbert replaces David Letterman: How political will 'Late Show' be?Stephen Colbert has testified before Congress and run for 'president.' In the US government policy wonk-o-sphere, news he would replace David Letterman was the biggest thing going Thursday afternoon.
- Maine Sen. Angus King says he might flip to GOP. Would they take him?If King flipped, the GOP would need to gain only five seats in the midterms to control the Senate. But some on the right say his positions on Obamacare and gun control make him an uneasy fit.
- Is California killer whale bill dead? Hardly, activists insist.A committee in the California Assembly delayed a vote for at least a year on a bill to make killer whale stunts and breeding illegal. Opponents say the bill is dead. Advocates say it's a necessary step.
- House committees turn up heat on Lois Lerner in IRS investigationsA congressional committee voted Wednesday to refer former IRS official Lois Lerner to the Justice Department for potential criminal prosecution, citing e-mails that suggest Lerner might have targeted Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS. Another committee could act Thursday.
- 'Kissing congressman' won't ask for FBI probe of video leak. Wise move?GOP Rep. Vance McAllister's decision not to call in the feds to track down the leaker is Crisis Management 101 for embattled politicians managing a sex scandal: Don't feed the news cycle.
- Why conservative senator is questioning Comcast-Time Warner mergerComcast wants to merge with Time Warner, combining the country's two largest cable companies. In a congressional hearing, Comcast touted the deal, but the doubts of Sen. Mike Lee pointed to broader concerns.
- Abortion war twist: spike in measures favoring accessState legislators have introduced 64 measures aimed at protecting or expanding access to abortion this year. That's the biggest number in 25 years. But anti-abortion measures still outnumber them by far.
- In battle for crucial senior vote, health care could be decisiveSeniors are expected to account for a significant majority of voters in November elections and both parties are trying to win support by using health-care issues 鈥 often combined with scare tactics.
- Democrats raise more than the GOP for US Senate races: Big deal?Right now this campaign season, Democrats have $6 million more cash on hand than Republicans do for US Senate races. But they also have more vulnerable Senate seats to defend.
- More Americans have health insurance: why Obamacare doesn't get full creditThe portion of Americans without health insurance has fallen amid the Obamacare registration drive, two polls find. But the largest source of gains in coverage has been employer-sponsored plans.
- Equal pay: Can Obama's action overcome a cultural taboo?Obama signed a measure Tuesday barring federal contractors from retaliating against employees who talk pay with colleagues. But its potential impact is unclear: Such talk is generally taboo.聽
- 'Kissing congressman' Vance McAllister: Will voters forgive transgression?Allegations that married Rep. Vance McAllister was kissing a staffer coincided with release of a poll that showed many voters are forgiving of adultery. But the particulars of this case might matter.
- Monitor BreakfastTop Democrat offers two ways his party can overcome grim election forecastRep. Chris Van Hollen, the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, said at a Monitor Breakfast that Democrats can 'change that calculus' forecasting losses in midterm elections.
- Colbert says Jeb Bush White House hope 'over.' Joke or true?Jeb Bush's 'act of love' comment on illegal immigration was instant grist for the Colbert humor mill, but the GOP conservative backlash signals that it could also be a showstopper for 2016.