All Politics
Gloomy predictions as Washington approaches the 'fiscal cliff'It's still possible that the 'fiscal cliff' with its automatic聽tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts can be avoided. But the clock is ticking toward Jan.1, and most lawmakers are pessimistic.
NRA鈥檚 LaPierre doesn鈥檛 back down from 鈥榗razy鈥� guns-in-schools proposalOn Sunday, NRA chief Wayne LaPierre repeated his claim that 'the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.' Opponents of armed guards in schools pushed back, but passing stricter gun control laws is an uphill fight.
CIA: 鈥榋ero Dark Thirty鈥� not a realistic portrayal of hunt for Osama bin LadenThe CIA says scenes of torture in the new film 'Zero Dark Thirty' are not an accurate portrayal of the hunt for Osama bin Laden. This follows similar criticism from three senior US senators who say the film is 'grossly inaccurate and misleading'.
In 'fiscal cliff' fight, Obama gets better marks than BoehnerPresident Obama's approval rating is at a three-year high; Speaker Boehner's is at an all-time low, and a majority of Americans view the GOP as too extreme. Is Boehner's position in danger?
Is the NRA push for guns in schools crazy? It depends on where you live.Reaction to the NRA鈥檚 controversial proposal to have armed guards in all schools illustrates the regional divide over guns 鈥� how and even whether to control the nation鈥檚 private arsenal.
Armed guards in schools? Reaction to NRA is swift and strong.Most gun control advocates rejected out of hand the NRA call for armed guards in every school in the country.聽New York Mayor Bloomberg said it offered 'a paranoid, dystopian vision' of America.
Unemployment down: which states are doing better than othersUnemployment rates fell in 45 states in November, but the strength of the job market varies widely by region, according to US data. Local resources and housing markets are among the reasons.
NRA press conference: Put armed guards in schoolsAt a rare NRA press conference, the group's leaders implored the nation to protect schoolchildren with armed guards. The NRA also blamed media for misreporting on guns and promoting violence.
Boehner 'Plan B' flop: Good or bad for President Obama?It's natural to think that President Obama might have cheered the collapse of House Speaker John Boehner's Plan B for the 'fiscal cliff.' But the chaos it created might cause bigger problems.
John Boehner plays down setback of his fiscal 'fallback' planHouse Speaker John Boehner acknowledged Friday that too many GOP lawmakers saw his bill, which would have let tax cuts lapse for millionaires, as a tax hike. But the setback won't affect 'fiscal cliff' talks with Obama, he says.
NRA's Sandy Hook press conference: What can it say?On Friday, the National Rifle Association will hold a rare news conference 鈥� a sign that the Sandy Hook massacre has put the gun-rights organization in a tough position.
Sen. Ben Affleck? Fearing loss of Mass. Senate seat, Democrats scramble.A poll shows outgoing GOP Sen. Scott Brown leading potential Democratic opponents for Sen. John Kerry's seat, if the latter becomes secretary of State. Ben Affleck hasn't flatly denied a possible run.
Will GOP's 'Plan B' push Obama closer to 'fiscal cliff' deal?House Republican leaders hope to pass their own 'fiscal cliff' bill Thursday. But Obama and Senate Democrats are solidly against the plan, which could leave the sides no nearer a deal.聽
What counts as a tax hike? Not Boehner 'fallback' plan, says antitax groupLawmakers who vote to let tax cuts lapse for millionaires would not be violating an antitax pledge, says a group led by activist Grover Norquist. House Speaker John Boehner has put forward such a bill, stirring fury of other conservatives. 聽
Social Security: Is reform needed now or not?Negotiations over avoiding the 'fiscal cliff' have put Social Security back in the news. While the program isn't a money loser for the federal government, its trustees favor acting soon to keep it healthy.
Sandy Hook shooting: why Obama is acting fastPresident Obama announced a White House-led effort that will send a proposal to Congress in a matter of weeks, focusing on firearms as well as mental health, school safety, and law enforcement.
Michelle Obama: What's she doing to get ready for Christmas?Calling herself the 'hostess-in-chief,' first lady Michelle Obama puts a positive spin on preparations for the annual Christmas deluge of visitors to a decked out White House.
Monitor Breakfast'Economically catastrophic' to delay raising debt ceiling, warns top DemocratDemocratic budget leader Rep. Chris Van Hollen urges that the national debt ceiling be raised as part of the year-end talks to avoid the 'fiscal cliff,' rather than waiting until late winter to address it.
Time to say goodbye to the payroll tax cut? It's looking that way.No matter how the 'fiscal cliff' talks end, federal taxes of working Americans appear likely to rise after Jan. 1. That's because the Obama White House isn't pushing to extend the payroll tax cut.聽- Time to say goodbye to the payroll tax cut? It's looking that way.No matter how the 'fiscal cliff' talks end, federal taxes of working Americans appear likely to rise after Jan. 1. That's because the Obama White House isn't pushing to extend the payroll tax cut.聽
