All Politics
Behind the maneuvering over immigration, both parties look for advantageThe White House has floated a plan聽that would allow illegal immigrants to become permanent residents of the United States, putting them on a path to eventual citizenship. Republicans aren't happy, but they're under pressure to back comprehensive immigration reform.
Gun control alone isn鈥檛 enough to halt violence, Obama says in ChicagoVisiting a Chicago neighborhood he represented as a state legislator, Obama said violence is about more than gun control, 'It's also an issue of the kinds of communities that we're building.'
N. Korea nuclear test: Will it spoil Obama's disarmament plans?Pyongyang's recent nuclear tests have hawks in neighboring South Korea and Japan clamoring for nuclear weapons of their own and China jittery about its own stockpile. The US is caught in the middle.聽
Obama's quiet ally: Who's behind gun control bill no one is talking aboutAs President Obama comes to Chicago to talk gun control, Illinois' Republican senator, Mark Kirk, is pushing a bill to target gun trafficking. It's under the radar, but could have a greater impact than other bills.
Monitor BreakfastUS drawdown in Afghanistan a 'worry' for Pakistan, ambassador saysOne of the concerns for Pakistan is 'how responsible' the US exit from Afghanistan will be, said Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's ambassador to the US, at a Feb. 5 breakfast meeting.
Will Republicans regret the decision to delay Chuck Hagel's nomination?Republicans flexed some political muscle with their unprecedented filibuster of a cabinet nominee. But it could open them to charges of 'obstructionism' and lead to more constraints on the power of the minority.
Geraldo Rivera Senate run more likely due to Lautenberg retirement?Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey announced he will not run for reelection in 2014. Geraldo Rivera had already been making noises about challenging him.
Why Republican delay isn't likely to stop Chuck Hagel confirmationRepublican senators blocked a vote on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary. But they acknowledged that the situation could be different in a few days.- 'Walmart moms': struggling but hopeful 鈥� and estranged from CongressTwo groups of 'Walmart moms,' a demographic studied by pollsters, gathered after the State of the Union address. Asked if politicians understand their lives, the answer was a resounding 'no.'
From preschool to high school, Obama seeking big progress in educationThis week the president announced ambitious plans for universal preschool access and high school curriculums tailored to the 21st century, but are Congress and the states interested?
State of the Union 101: How much in Medicare cuts did Obama put on table?Obama didn't offer as much in savings from Medicare cuts as did the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction commission. But his State of the Union message outlined ways to shave a good chunk of change from Medicare costs. Here's how.
Immigration reform's tough call: illegal immigrants married to US citizensIllegal immigrants who want to legalize their status must leave the country for as many as 10 years to apply. That's too harsh on those who marry spouses who are US citizens, critics say.- Immigration reform: how Republicans may gain more than Democrats, after allDespite some conservatives' concerns about passing immigration reform, a small shift in the Hispanic vote toward the GOP could yield that party a sizable number of additional House seats, a report says.
- Obama's universal preschool proposal: Game-changer or federal overreach?President Obama said in his State of the Union address that he will push for universal preschool. Advocates say the plan could be transformational, but critics say it's too ambitious.聽
- 鈥楪rand bargain鈥� on deficit reduction: RIP?President Obama's State of the Union address did nothing to address the nation's long-term fiscal imbalance, say deficit hawks. But Republicans share the blame.聽
State of the Union 101: Nine Obama proposals that might create jobsA trade pact with the EU. Rebuilding roads and bridges. Innovation centers for manufacturing. Obama put forward a lot of proposals in his State of the Union address, but which ones will add the most jobs?
Obama urges a budget without brinkmanship. But can Congress stop the insanity?In his State of the Union address, Obama calls on Congress to reject manufactured crises as a way of doing its budgetary business. But with fiscal flash points looming, the temptations are powerful.
Why Obama's executive order on cybersecurity doesn't satisfy most expertsAn executive order can only set voluntary cybersecurity standards for firms running America's 'critical infrastructure,' such as power grids. But some say Obama should be doing more.
Rubio reaches for water 鈥� and now he's putting out firesRubio reaches for water during his State of the Union response Tuesday, but in the wake of the gaffe,聽the Florida senator has been displaying at least one critical political skill: good damage control.
State of the Union 101: Has Obamacare really slowed rise of health costs?The president's State of the Union claim that Obamacare has slowed the rise of health costs misses the fact that key provisions don't kick in until 2014 and that slower spending is related to a weak economy.
