All Politics
Chuck Hagel will be secretary of Defense. What did GOP opposition accomplish?The Senate approves former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Defense secretary after weeks of Republican opposition. Hagel emerges politically weaker as he prepares to fight pending budget cuts.
Abortion rights: Why New York is swimming against the national tideNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has come under fire for proposing a bill relaxing abortion controls even as many other states push restrictions. His office says the bill aims to strengthen Roe v. Wade.
Ben Bernanke: Bring down the federal debt, don't just 'stabilize' itReducing the debt-to-GDP ratio is the most important long-term fiscal policy for the US, said Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke during his semiannual report to Congress.
Why most Americans are yawning over 'sequester' 鈥� and why that mattersOnly 1 in 4 Americans is following the debate over 'the sequester,' and even fewer say they understand it, a new poll shows. If the spending cuts take effect and more people pay attention, Obama's public support could slip.- Why most Americans are yawning over 'sequester' 鈥� and why that mattersOnly 1 in 4 Americans is following the debate over 'the sequester,' and even fewer say they understand it, a new poll shows. If the spending cuts take effect and more people pay attention, Obama's public support could slip.
- Michelle Obama: How well do you know the first lady?
She's a Harvard-educated lawyer, former university administrator, and self-declared "mom-in-chief" who has made headlines with both her policy platforms and her fashion choices. But how much do you really know about the first lady?
Chris Christie dissed by CPAC. Is that good or bad for him?CPAC organizers are apparently still annoyed that New Jersey's Republican governor Chris Christie praised President Obama's recovery efforts after superstorm Sandy.
'Sequester' scare tactics? White House details 'devastating' 50-state impact.A White House report stresses the huge impact the sequester spending cuts would have on states. For some states, that might be true. But for others, the cuts might just be a blip.- 'Sequester' scare tactics? White House details 'devastating' 50-state impact.A White House report stresses the huge impact the sequester spending cuts would have on states. For some states, that might be true. But for others, the cuts might just be a blip.
'Sequester' in US skies: Is an FAA 'calamity' avoidable?Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the 'sequester' will force the FAA to furlough air traffic controllers, creating an air travel nightmare. Some Republicans are calling this a scare tactic.- 'Sequester' in US skies: Is an FAA 'calamity' avoidable?Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the 'sequester' will force the FAA to furlough air traffic controllers, creating an air travel nightmare. Some Republicans are calling this a scare tactic.
Obama looks for new allies in 'sequester' fight: Republican governorsThe president is hoping that governors 鈥� who will have to grapple with the impact of the sequester in their states 鈥� will lean on members of Congress to avert the spending cuts.
Why Obama is on top in 'sequester' battle, but could lose long-termPresident Obama is working hard to clarify how sequester spending cuts will hit Americans. But many don't understand what's happening and ultimately will look to Obama for solutions.
Michelle Obama announces 'Best Picture' at Oscars. Was that appropriate?Michelle Obama appeared via satellite from the White House, announcing that 'Argo' had won. Many Best Picture contenders had political themes.
Why are Bob Woodward and the White House arguing over the sequester?The blame-game over who鈥檚 responsible for the 'sequester' and its automatic spending cuts finds journalistic icon Bob Woodward, engaged in a dispute with the White House.
Sequester: 'It's your fault....No, your fault!'With just five days to go until the sequester's automatic spending cuts kick in, what's Washington doing about it? Not negotiating like responsible adults, but mainly pointing fingers of blame.
Firearms-makers to politicians on gun rights: You balk, we walkFirearms companies ranging from gun shops to machinists are joining forces to oppose new gun control laws. Some are threatening to move away from states that crack down on guns, others are refusing to sell gear to police that can't be sold to citizens.- Sequester and public opinion? Advantage Obama.With just days until the 'sequester' and its automatic spending cuts kicks in, President Obama seems to have the advantage with high poll ratings and a message seen as more compelling.
If not 'sequester,' then what? Five ideas from left and right. Few in Washington believe that "the sequester,鈥� $85 billion in automatic spending cuts set to hit the federal budget as of March 1, is a good idea. But what's the alternative? Here are five proposals, from the right, the center, and the left, to replace the sequester. Which do you like?
Sequester 101: Is all this fuss really necessary?The sequester spending cuts set to kick in March 1 address a serious long-term problem. But are they needed this year and in this way? No one thinks it's a perfect step.
