Peter Bell

Peter Bell

Graphics Director

Peter Bell is graphics director for National Journal.  Prior to this assignment, Bell served four years as information graphics reporter and editor for CongressDaily. Prior to that, he profiled Washington's politics and policy community as a National Journal people columnist and researcher with the Almanac of American Politics. Since 2005, he and political correspondent James Barnes have produced the National Journal Political Insiders Poll, a weekly feature that distills the insights and opinions of over 200 political experts and members of Congress on the vital issues of the day. Before coming to National Journal, Bell was a researcher at the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Peter grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a graduate of Miami University and Georgetown University.

Peter Bell's Latest Posts

Polling the Path to Citizenship

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Is Edward Snowden a Whistle-Blower or a Traitor?

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Democrats are divided, but Republican Insiders say he's gone too far. Read More »
INTERACTIVE

Representing Defense

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Which Party Is Doing a Better Job Recruiting Candidates for 2014?

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Most Insiders say their own party is doing well. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: How Damaging Is the IRS Controversy to Obama?

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Most Republicans and half of Democrats say the issue will haunt the president. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Will the Benghazi Controversy Hurt a Possible Presidential Run by Hillary Clinton?

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Says one Republican, "The 3 a.m. call came, and she was sleeping. Not a stellar example of leadership." Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Will the Senate Immigration Bill Get 70 Votes?

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Republicans say it won't, while Democrats are more divided. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Which Senator Is Most Likely to Change His or Her Vote on Background-Check Legislation?

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Democrats look to Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: What Are the Chances Congress Will Pass a Major Tax-Reform Bill?

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A majority of Insiders say prospects are poor. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: What Impact Will the Boston Bombings Have on Immigration Reform?

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Neither party’s Insiders expect much of an effect. Read More »

Charting Middle-Class Well-Being -- GRAPHIC

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Insiders From Both Parties Embracing 'Gang of Eight' Immigration Bill

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Should John Boehner Allow Immigration Legislation to Go Through the Committees?

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Insiders from both parties see regular order as the smart move.  Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Will the Gang of Eight’s Immigration-Reform Proposal Help Your Party?

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Democratic and Republican Insiders have high hopes, but for different reasons.  Read More »

Energy and Commerce's Jurisdiction: Anything that Moves, Burns, or is Sold

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That is how National Journal once described the jurisdiction of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. House rules offer one definition of the committee’s turf, but a practical, bottom-up view of the committee’s territory is...

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Insiders: Rocky, Johnson Retirements Viewed As Most Damaging

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Which Senate Seats Are Likeliest to Flip?

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Insiders say those of Democrats Tim Johnson and Jay Rockefeller are the most vulnerable. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Is It Politically Advantageous for Obama to Cut Medicare and Social Security?

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Insiders from both parties say it is, though more Democrats are skeptical.  Read More »

Dem Insiders See Pryor As Most Vulnerable

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Which Senate Incumbents Are Most Vulnerable?

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Democratic Insiders say it's Mark Pryor or Kay Hagan, while Republicans point to Hagan by a wide margin. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Poll: Even Democrats Say the NRA Is Beating the White House on the Gun Debate

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Insiders from both parties see Obama struggling on the issue. Read More »

Insiders Agree Dems Will Nominate Clinton in 2016

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Agree Democrats Will Nominate Clinton in 2016

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Repulicans are torn between Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Republican Insiders Doubt a Grand Bargain Will Be Reached

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But then again, so do Democrats. Plus: Neither party expects to gain much much politically from the upcoming budget process. Read More »

Insiders Weigh in On Hispanics and the GOP

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National Journal 's Political Insiders panel lacks confidence Congress and the president will reverse the sequestration spending cuts that took effect on March 1, this week's Insiders Poll shows. Meanwhile, Republicans believe th...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Will a Bargain Be Struck to Reverse the Sequestration Cuts?

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In Washington, all financial skirmishes lead to the same place. Read More »

GRAPHIC: Breaking Down Rand Paul's 13-Hour Filibuster

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Who spoke when during Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster of John Brennan, President Obama’s nominee for CIA director. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Which Party Really Owns the Sequester?

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Neither party's Insiders think they’ll face strong pressure to undo it. And Democrats are more bullish than Republicans on the tea party's role as political asset. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Republicans Say They Have Almost Even Odds of Taking Control of the Senate

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How likely are the Democrats to take over the House in 2014? Political Insiders weigh in. Read More »

TABLE: Senate Conservative Scores by Issue Area

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For a more detailed look at how Senate voting records compared in 2012, use this table to find their vote ratings on economic, social, and foreign policy. Click on the column headings to sort the table and see who was the most and l...

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TABLE: Senate Liberal Scores by Issue Area

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For a more detailed look at how Senate voting records compared in 2012, use this table to find their vote ratings on economic, social, and foreign policy. Click on the column headings to sort the table and see who was the most and l...

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TABLE: House Conservative Scores by Issue Area

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For a more detailed look at how member voting records compared in 2012, use this table to find their vote ratings on economic, social, and foreign policy. Click on the column headings to sort the table and see who was the most and l...

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TABLE: House Liberal Scores by Issue Area

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For a more detailed look at how member voting records compared in 2012, use this table to find their vote ratings on economic, social, and foreign policy. Click on the column headings to sort the table and see who was the most and l...

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POLITICS

Single Chart Distills Ideology and House Demographics

By Ben Terris and
See the average composite conservative scores by gender, region, seniority, religion, and race. Read More »

Was the 2010 'Wave' of GOP Freshmen Any More Conservative Than the Rest of the Party?

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Fueled by tea-party momentum, Republicans took the House in 2010. Did that shift ideology in the chamber? Read More »

Interactive: Ranking Who's Left, Center, and Right in the House of Representatives

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Sort all the 2012 members of the House below by partisan leanings and demographics Read More »

Interactive: Sorting the Senate by Ideology

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Rank the entire 2012 Senate by partisan leanings and demographics Read More »

Drink It Up: Rubio's Response Earns a 'B' From GOP Insiders

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There's been a low bar for the opposition response to the State of the Union in recent years. By that standard, Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla., got a passing grade from both Democratic and Republican strategists in the latest National ...

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Insiders Grade Obama on State of the Union

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National Journal 's Political Insiders of different parties had drastically different views of President Obama 's State of the Union address. Asked to grade his performance, nearly all of the Democratic Insiders put him in the ...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

GOP Insiders Give Obama's State of the Union a Solid C

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Democratic Insiders give Sen. Marco Rubio's response Tuesday night the same grade. Read More »

Dem Insiders Think Sequester Will Hurt GOP

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Political Insiders are split over which party would be hurt if the automatic budget cuts that President Obama and Congress agreed to, go into effect. If the sequester is allowed to go into effect, will it hurt ...

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Insiders Rate Jobs, Immigration, Deficit As Top Priorities

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Despite the storied paralysis in Washington, Democratic and Republican Insiders came to a rare moment of consensus this week on what priorities should top their parties' agendas this year. What two issues should ...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Topping Insiders' Priority Lists: Immigration, Jobs, and Deficit Reduction

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Plus: Political Insiders speculate on which party will be blamed if the sequester takes effect. Read More »

Insiders Diagnose the GOP's Woes

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There was no shortage of opinions among National Journal 's Political Insiders about what was ailing the Republican Party after losses in last year's elections, although Insiders of different stripes tended to have different takes....

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Insiders Optimistic About Immigration Reform

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Cautious optimism: That's the best way to describe how both Democratic and Republican Political Insiders feel about the chances of comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship, passing Congress this year. ...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders: Immigration Reform Likely to Pass Congress

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They’re divided over what the Republican Party needs to do to improve its standing.  Read More »

GOP Insiders Daring Dems Over Climate Change

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Don't hold your breath for bipartisan consensus on climate change just yet -- at least not if National Journal 's Political Insiders have something to say about it. Asked whether it had become a winning issue for Democrats, near...

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Insiders Diverge on Obama's Second-Term Style

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No surprises here: National Journal 's Democratic and Republican Political Insiders had sharply diverging views of President Obama 's newly unveiled my-way-or-the-highway style. While 9 out of ten Democratic Insiders said the c...

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Insiders See Dems With Edge in Gun-Law Debate

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By a slim margin, National Journal's political insiders gave the edge to Democrats on the highly-charged issue of gun control. Slightly fewer than two-thirds of the Democratic Insiders believed their party had the most to gain fr...

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Insiders: Dems Have Upper Hand in Debt Ceiling Negotiation

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National Journal ’s political insiders came to a rare point of consensus on which party had the upper hand in the upcoming talks over the debt ceiling: Democrats. A full 83 percent of Democratic Insiders gave the edge to their...

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Insiders Split on Hagel Nomination

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A majority of Democrats think President Obama's selection of Chuck Hagel to run the Department of Defense was -- politically speaking -- the right choice, according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll, but confi...

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GOP Insiders: Avoid Same-Sex Marriage Issue

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National Journal 's Political Insiders moved closer to embracing gay marriage, in the wake of historic ballot initiatives that legalized same-sex marriage in some states November and the first endorsement from a sitting president.&...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders: Republicans Divided on How to Address Gay Marriage

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Plus, Democrats aren't sold that Chuck Hagel is President Obama's best choice for Defense secretary. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Predict Tax Hikes on the Wealthy in 2013

By Ben Terris, Shane Goldmacher and
Congressional Insiders are split across the aisle over whether entitlement reform or cutbacks will be part of a fiscal-cliff deal. Read More »

Insiders: Tax Rates on Wealthiest Will Rise

By Ben Terris and
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The City-Bound Majority

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Counties won by Democratic candidates for president Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Democratic Insiders Happy With Their Party's Fiscal-Cliff Performance

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Their GOP counterparts are less positive about their own party. Plus: Taxes will likely top both parties' legislative agendas in 2013. Read More »

Insiders: Dems Outperforming GOP in Fiscal Cliff Negotiations

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Insiders: Tackle Taxes

By Ben Terris and
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Congressional Insiders Optimistic on Fiscal Cliff Deal

By Ben Terris and
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CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders: Fiscal Cliff Likely To Be Averted

By Ben Terris and
Will there be a deal to avert the fiscal cliff? Both Democratic and Republican Insiders in Congress think so. Read More »

Who Will Lead U.S. National Security?

By , Dan Friedman and
A graphic roadmap for the Obama administration, from Boston to Benghazi. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Weigh In on No-Tax Pledge, Fiscal Cliff

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Democrats see more harm in pledge than Republicans do; Insiders of both stripes support a compromise to avoid the cliff. Read More »

Insiders Split on No-Tax Pledge

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Insiders in Both Parties Want Fiscal Cliff Deal

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Insiders: Look to Florida for Strongest 2016 GOP Candidate

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
The strongest GOP presidential nominee in 2016 will come from Florida, according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll. But Republicans and Democrats don't agree if that person is Sen. Marco Rubio or former Gov...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

GOP Insiders: Rubio for President in 2016?

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Republican Political Insiders tout the senator from Florida as the strongest potential nominee in 2016. Democrats say Republicans would be smart to nominate Jeb Bush.  Read More »

The New Faces of the 113th Congress

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The 2012 House and Senate elections brought over 80 new members to Washington. Use this interactive application to sort and filter the freshmen by age, experience, ethnicity, and more. To read a full narrative of each newcomer, writ...

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CONGRESS

See the New Faces of the 113th Congress

By Peter Bell
The 2012 House and Senate elections brought over 80 new members to Washington. Use this interactive application to sort and filter the freshmen by age, experience, ethnicity, and more. Hover over each picture for name, state, and di...

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Insiders Divided on Sandy's Political Impact

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal Insiders were divided on the political impact of Hurricane Sandy, which ripped through the East Coast earlier this week, upending the traditional final push for both presidential campaigns. Read More »

GOP Insiders More Confident Than Ever of Romney Win

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Republicans have never been more confident that President Obama will lose re-election, according to the latest National Journal Insiders Poll, but Democratic conviction their party's leader will earn a second term still hasn't ...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders: Who Will Win on Tuesday?

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NJ ’s Political Insiders predict whether Obama or Romney will win on Election Day. And they assess the political impact of Sandy on the presidential contest. Read More »

Insiders: Democrats More Confident in Ground Game

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
In assessing the all-important "ground game" in the presidential race, National Journal 's Political Insiders were split. But Democrats were by far more confident of their own party's mastery of the nuts and bolts of field organiz...

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Insiders: What Groups Most Important to WH Prospects?

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Want to know if Mitt Romney is on track to win the presidency? Check out how he's performing among blue-collar whites, college-educated white women, and seniors. For President Obama , watch one group in particular: Hispanics. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Demography as Destiny

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Which demographic groups do Insiders see as key to the presidential race? And how do the Insiders assess their party’s ground game? Read More »

Insiders Poll: Administration's Benghazi Response Harmful?

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Just over 50 percent of all National Journal Political Insiders think the Obama administration's response to the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya has been politically harmful to the president. Fifteen percent wen...

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Insiders Poll: Divide Over Best Debate Moderater

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
Lehrer, the former news anchor of PBS Newshour who came out of retirement to moderate his 12th presidential debate, was panned in many circles for his passive approach and got zero love from the Democratic Insiders, but was overwhel...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Partisans Split Over Favorite Debate Moderators

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Which of the three—Jim Lehrer, Martha Raddatz, or Candy Crowley—has done the best job? Republican and Democratic Insiders give very different answers. Read More »

Insiders: Weight by Party ID

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
A bi-partisan consensus of political Insiders say pollsters should weight their surveys by Party ID instead of adjusting their sample only by demographics like race and gender, according to the latest National Journal Political I...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Ohio on the Minds of Political Insiders

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Who will win Ohio—Mitt Romney or President Obama? Plus: Should pollsters weight the results of their surveys by party affiliation? Insiders weigh in. Read More »

Insiders Split on Romney's Ohio Prospects

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
In the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll, Insiders were sharply split on partisan lines when asked about the likelihood of Mitt Romney winning Ohio, with Republicans predictably giving the GOP nominee better odds ...

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Mapping Presidential Mega-Markets

By Reid Wilson and Peter Bell
About half the money being poured into television advertising during the presidential race is being spent in just 15 media markets, according to an analysis of data provided by sources watching the advertising market. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Assess Akin, Romney Gaffes

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Political Insiders weigh in on damage done by Romney’s “47 percent” comment and on whether national GOP organizations should still help pay for Akin's campaign. Read More »

Insiders: 47 Percent Comment Damaging

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
in the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll, Insiders of both parties mostly agreed that Mitt Romney 's "47 percent" comment had damaged his candidacy, although they differed on just how damaging it was. Read More »

Nearly Half of GOP Insiders: Don't Abandon Akin

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
Despite nearly universal condemnation for Missouri GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin , nearly half of GOP Insiders and over a third of Democratic Insiders said that the National Republican Senatorial Committee and other outside group...

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GRAPHIC: From Rags to Riches

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The American Dream promises equality of opportunity. But decades-long studies of families show unequal prospects for rising above–or falling below–one’s parents’ station in life. Things are especially unchanging for those wh...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders: Democrats Bullish on Senate Majority

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Neither party's Insiders expect Democrats to win the House, but Democrats are increasingly bullish about keeping their majority in the Senate.  Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

GOP Insiders Dump on Romney Campaign

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Both Republicans and Democratic Political Insiders agree that the Obama campaign is superior. Plus, GOP Insiders now say Obama has better than even odds of winning reelection. Read More »

Insiders Say Obama Campaign Team More Effective

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
This one's no contest: when it comes to the question of which candidate has a better campaign team, President Obama wins by a long shot. Read More »

Insiders: Obama More Likely to Win

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
Expectations that Mitt Romney will be able to defeat President Obama in November have slid down significantly over the last four months, according to National Journal 's latest Insider's poll. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Metropolitan Diversity: Philadelphia, 2000-2010

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Between 2000 and 2010, several suburban areas surrounding Philadelphia’s center city went from largely white (more than 80 percent) to diverse (20 to 60 percent of the people living there were not white.) Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Metropolitan Diversity: Oklahoma City, 2000-10

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Predominantly white suburbs in the Oklahoma City metro region have dwindled in one decade to only 6 percent from 26 percent. In turn, that has made Edmond, Norman, and Midwest City more diverse. From 2000 to 2010, diverse suburbs gr...

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DEMOGRAPHICS

Metropolitan Diversity: Minneapolis, 2000-2010

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In 2000 only eight municipalities were considered diverse in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. And while the range of diverse suburbs grew drastically between 2000 and 2010, about 45 percent are still predominantly white. Read More »

Congressional Insiders: Who Had the Better Convention?

By Shane Goldmacher and Peter Bell
President Obama has ticked up in the polls since his party convention in Charlotte earlier this month on the heels of the GOP gathering in Tampa. Read More »

Sequester Benefits Neither Party, Congressional Insiders Say

By Shane Goldmacher and Peter Bell
Congress is not expected to make any serious maneuvers to offset looming cuts to the defense sector before the fall elections, making the issue a political football heading into November. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders on Conventions and Sequestration

By Shane Goldmacher and
Which party had the best convention? And which party benefits politically from the debate over the defense sequester? Insiders weigh in. Read More »
CONVENTION INSIDERS POLL

Convention Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
In the future, how many days do you think political conventions should last? Read More »
CONVENTION INSIDERS POLL

Convention Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders weigh in on the negative tone of the 2012 presidential campaign and the relative importance of appealing to swing voters versus a party's base. Read More »

A Century of Droughts

By Cory Bennett and
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Congressional Insiders: Thanks, But No Thanks on Releasing Their Tax Returns

By Shane Goldmacher and Peter Bell
As the debate over Mitt Romney 's tax returns has swirled, some prominent members of Congress, led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi , have been vocal critics of Romney's refusal to release more years of returns. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Shane Goldmacher and
Insiders weigh in on the NRA’s clout in Congress. Read More »

Congressional Insiders Agree: NRA is All-Powerful

By Shane Goldmacher and Peter Bell
Here is one thing Democrats and Republicans in National Journal 's latest Congressional Insiders poll agree on: the National Rifle Association has an iron-clad grip on Congress when it comes to gun-control issues. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Grading Romney

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Political Insiders grade Mitt Romney’s campaign and weigh in on the effectiveness of the attacks on Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital.  Read More »

Insiders Give Romney's Campaign So-So Marks

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Mitt Romney 's campaign isn't winning many plaudits from the country's political class, according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll. Read More »

Insiders: Bain Attacks Effective

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Two months is a long time in presidential politics. A bipartisan swath of election experts now believe President Obama 's criticism of Mitt Romney 's Bain Capital tenure has been effective, according to the latest National Journa...

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CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Campaigning With the Nominees

By Ben Terris and
Insiders say they would be happy to campaign with their party’s presidential nominee but disagree on how politics of the Supreme Court’s health care ruling will play out.  Read More »

Cong. Insiders on Both Sides Like SCOTUS Ruling

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
On a policy basis, Republicans and Democrats couldn't be further apart when it comes to their thoughts on the Supreme Court's ruling on health care. But what about politically? Both parties believe it was good for them. In a poll of...

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Cong. Insiders Not Running Away From Presidential Candidates

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
The press has paid a lot of attention to Democrats and some Republicans who have been trying to distance themselves from their party's presidential nominees. Is Mitt Romney tea party enough for the tea party? Will vulnerable Democ...

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Insiders Divided Along Party Lines on Impact of Immigration Debate

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal 's political Insiders were divided on whether recent developments on immigration would push Latino turnout in the November elections to its highest level ever. In 2008, record turnout among Hispanics helped propel ...

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POLLS

Political Insiders Poll: Immigration Reaction

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The National Journal magazine's popular feature on a close examination of issues via polls includes two questions, exploring people's opinions about immigration. Read More »

Gaming Out the Lame Duck

By , , and Ryan Morris
It’s impossible to say what exactly will happen during the lame-duck session without knowing the outcome of the election. Sure, President Obama and the current Congress will preside over the fiscal To Do list during those six week...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

The Hispanic Vote; Fast and Furious

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Political Insiders weigh in on the outlook for Latino turnout in November and whether Operation Fast and Furious has hurt Obama.  Read More »

In Washington or Back Home, Insiders Have Little Hope for Election-Year Legislating

By Shane Goldmacher and Peter Bell
Republicans and Democrats often bicker about whether they are in Washington enough in an election year to accomplish anything, with the minority party invariably pointing fingers at the majority. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Legislating in an Election Year

By Shane Goldmacher, Ben Terris and
Can Congress get anything done in an election year? And do members like spending so much time away from the office? Insiders weigh in.  Read More »

Ad Spending in Presidential Battleground States

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Insiders: Voters Will Make Up Minds About Economy In Sept.

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
A plurality of Democratic and Republican Insiders alike named September as the month when voters' perception of the economy will solidify, with 39 percent of Democrats saying so compared to 42 percent of Republicans. That's an impor...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Obama’s Gaffe; Perceptions of the Economy

By , and
Insiders assess the damage from Obama’s remark that the "private sector is doing fine," and they predict when voters' views on the economy will solidify before Election Day. Read More »

Insiders Split Over Effect of Obama's 'Doing Fine' Gaffe

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
President Obama prompted winces among supporters and glee from detractors when he said during a press conference -- to discuss a mediocre jobs report of all things -- that "The private sector is doing fine." Read More »

GRAPHIC: Coca-Cola, Starbucks Top Players on Social Media

By Ryan Morris and
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CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Economy and Legislative Outlook

By Ben Terris, Shane Goldmacher and
Insiders assess how much last week’s jobs report has hurt Obama. And they identify the legislation most likely to pass this year.  Read More »

Insiders Split Over Legislative Expectations

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor made something of a splash after Politico quoted him saying legislating was pretty much done for 2012. Senate Democrats waved around the article on the Senate floor, crying out that the American...

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Disappointing Jobs Report Doesn't Make Obama an Underdog, Insiders Say

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
Nobody denies that when the country only added 69,000 jobs in May -- well below what was expected -- it was bad for the country, and politically bad for President Obama . But even though politicians on both sides will admit that, n...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Romney and Hispanics; Obama and Iran

By Alex Roarty, and
How will Mitt Romney fare among Hispanics in the fall? And how big a threat is Iran to President Obama’s reelection? Read More »

Insiders Offer Mixed Take on Impact of Iran on Obama's Reelection Prospects

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal 's political Insiders varied on how detrimental the Iranian threat would be to President Obama 's re-election prospects. Read More »

Insiders Split Along Party Lines on 2012 Latino Vote

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Republicans are cautiously optimistic Mitt Romney , propelled by disappointment in President Obama 's handling of the economy, won't hemorrhage support among Hispanics, according to the National Journal Political Insiders poll. ...

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Insiders Split Along Party Lines Over Bain Attacks

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
While half of all Republican Insiders said the attacks were "not effective," a little over half of Democratic Insiders rated them "highly effective." About 4 in 10 Insiders of each party said the tactics were "somewhat effective." ...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Was the Bain Card the Right One to Play?

By , and
How potent an issue is Romney's record at Bain Capital? And how will the politics of entitlement programs play out in November?  Read More »

Insiders: Entitlement Politics Favor Democrats

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
National Journal Political Insiders think the politics surrounding the country's entitlement programs still favor Democrats, although a sizable chunk of Republicans think the country's prodigious deficit has at long last titled th...

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NEXT AMERICA

NJ Insiders Split on Gay Marriage Impact

By and
National Journal political insiders, true to form, were split on the impact President Obama 's gay marriage announcement would have on Democrats on Election Day. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Will Obama's Support of Gay Marriage Help Democrats?

By , and
Plus, which traditionally blue states does Mitt Romney have the best chances of winning? Political Insiders weigh in. Read More »

NJ Insiders: Wisconsin Romney's Best Blue State Bet

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
If Mitt Romney wants to win a traditionally blue state this fall, he should focus on Wisconsin. Read More »

NJ Insiders Split on Gay Marriage Impact

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal political insiders, true to form, were split on the impact President Obama 's gay marriage announcement would have on Democrats on Election Day. Read More »

Migration Patterns Mapped, West and East

By Ryan Morris and
Hispanic population grows the fastest in the U.S. heartland and to the East. Explore the difference between the percentage of Hispanic growth and their density. Read More »

Congressional Insiders Agree: Pick Portman

By Shane Goldmacher and Peter Bell
As Mitt Romney mulls who to pick as vice president, members of Congress in both parties agree that among their colleagues there is no better pick than Ohio Sen. Rob Portman . Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Mitt Romney’s Running Mate

By Ben Terris, Shane Goldmacher and
Insiders weigh in on whether Romney should select a governor, a member of Congress, or a former officeholder. And they identify his best pick among congressional candidates. Read More »

Insiders Convinced Outside Money Will Help GOP in 2012

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal Political Insiders overwhelmingly agreed that Republicans stand to gain from outside money in this election cycle. What's more, Democrats were even more certain of the GOP's dominance in the outside money game th...

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Insiders Agree Obama Successfully Capitalized on bin Laden Killing

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal Political Insiders from both parties agreed for the most part that the Obama campaign was able to successfully capitalize on the killing of Osama bin Laden--with a few caveats. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Bin Laden's Death as Campaign Device?

By , and
How effectively has Obama’s reelection campaign capitalized on the killing of Osama bin Laden? And which party will benefit most from outside-money groups? Read More »
THE NEXT AMERICA

Insiders: Immigration Issue Should Help Dems in November

By and
National Journal's political Insiders generally agreed across the aisle that the issue of immigration stands to help Democrats and hurt Republicans--at least on the margins--in the November elections.  Read More »

Insiders Split Along Party On Obama's Reelection Odds

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal 's political Insiders were unsurprisingly split by party on gauging the president's odds for re-election. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Obama’s Chances; Immigration as an Issue

By , and
Will Obama win reelection? And how is the immigration issue affecting the prospects of Republicans and Democrats? Political Insiders weigh in.  Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Insiders: Immigration Issue Should Help Dems in November

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
National Journal 's political Insiders generally agreed across the aisle that the issue of immigration stands to help Democrats and hurt Republicans--at least on the margins--in the November elections. Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

GOP Insiders Signal Enthusiasm About Romney As Presumptive Nominee

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
Speaking as part of a panel of conservative lawmakers this week, Rep. Louie Gohmert , R-Texas, summed up a pretty popular sentiment among his peers. When asked if he was excited about having Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee ...

Read More »

Congressional Insiders: Leadership Should Stay Out of Member-Versus-Member Primaries

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
Last month, when House Majority Leader Eric Cantor endorsed and helped finance freshman Rep. Adam Kinzinger in his primary campaign against fellow Republican Rep. Don Manzullo , he triggered what became one of the most talked ...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Democrats Distilled to Core of Coalition: Women, Minorities—GRAPHIC

By and David Wasserman
Dominated by white men just 60 years ago, congressional Democrats have gradually distilled to the core of their electoral coalition--women and minorities. The Cook Political Report projects that when a new Congress is sworn into o...

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CONGRESS

Since 1982, Minority Congressional Districts Have Tripled—GRAPHIC

By and David Wasserman
In 1980, the nonwhite share of the U.S. population was 17 percent, and by 1982 there were 35 majority nonwhite districts. In the 2010 census, the nonwhite share of the nation's population had ballooned to 28 percent, mostly fueled b...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Mitt Romney, Survivor

By , and
How much, if at all, has the primary process hurt Romney? And which state will be the most pivotal in the presidential election? Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Split Along Party Lines Over Primary's Toll on Romney

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Say Ohio, Florida Most Important States in November

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Even as the country's changing demographics redraw the presidential race map, political insiders from both parties think two traditional swing states -- Ohio and Florida -- will be the most important of the 2012 general election. Read More »

Insiders Poll: Obama Foreign Policy a Reelection Boost

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Wide swaths of political insiders, including even some Republicans, view President Obama's foreign policy resume' as an aid to his reelection efforts, even as most indicated the issue would take a back seat to the economy in the fall. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Romney’s Veep; Obama's Foreign Policy

By , and
Who would be the best running mate for Romney? And how will Obama's foreign-policy record affect his reelection chances? Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Poll: Enthusiasm Wanes for Rubio as VP Pick; Portman Rising

By Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
Political Insiders in both parties have noticeably cooled on the vice presidential prospects of Marco Rubio . Read More »
REDISTRICTING

Modern Gerrymanders: 10 Most Contorted Congressional Districts—MAPS

By
Texas 35th Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

The Politics of Health Care

By and
What will be the political implications if the Supreme Court strikes down all or part of the health care law? And can Romney use health care as an issue against Obama? Insiders weigh in. Read More »

Insiders Agree: If Court Strikes Down Health Care Law, GOP Scores Political Win

By Naureen Khan, Alex Roarty and Peter Bell
National Journal 's Political Insiders - Republicans and Democrats alike - almost universally agree that if the Supreme Court strikes down President Obama 's health care law, the decision constitutes a political win for the GOP. Read More »

GOP Insiders Not In Favor of Reconsidering Earmark Ban While Democrats Are Split

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
The last time Congress passed a highway bill was 2005 and it took 6,300 earmarks to do it. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Questions of the Week: Ryan’s Budget, Earmarks

By Taylor West and
Congressional Democrats say Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget blueprint will help their party politically. Republicans beg to differ. Views on whether earmarks should return also split along party lines.  Read More »

Dem, GOP Insiders Think Ryan Budget Will Boost Their Political Fortunes

By Ben Terris and Peter Bell
House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan 's budget proposal is so divisive that insiders from both sides of the aisle see it as a boon for their party. In this week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll, 96 percent of Democrats ...

Read More »

Insiders Split Over Impact of Economy on Obama's Re-election Prospects

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
About two thirds of Democrats surveyed in this week's National Journal Insiders Poll believed on balance, the economy -- which has shown slow signs of growth in the last few months -- would be very positive or somewhat positive fo...

Read More »

Insiders: Re-emergence of Social Issues Will Hurt Republicans' Electoral Prospects

By Naureen Khan and Peter Bell
Political insiders from both parties mostly agreed that for the first time in recent memory, the emergence of social issues in this year's presidential election won't be a positive development for the GOP. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Questions of the Week: The Economy, Social Issues

By Taylor West and
Will the economy help or hurt Obama’s reelection efforts? Democrats and Republicans have different perceptions. But operatives in both parties agree that the president would help Democrats by honing in on social issues. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Senate Outlook; Iran

By Taylor West and
Which Senate seats could flip? Insiders pick the five most vulnerable. And they grade President Obama’s handling of Iran.  Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

East v. West: Breaking Down the Ohio GOP Primary -- GRAPHIC

By
Read More »

Congressional Insiders Unimpressed with GOP Presidential Field

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Based on historical standards, how would you rate the field of GOP presidential candidates? Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
Is the GOP presidential field weaker than normal? And what bills will get to Obama's desk? Congressional Insiders weigh in. Read More »

Insiders: Rising Gas Prices Bad News for Democrats

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
As gas prices go up, Democratic Party prospects go down. That, at least, is the general consensus of the Democratic and Republican strategists surveyed in this week's National Journal Political Insiders poll. Nearly eight-in-ten D...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
National Journal ’s Insiders weigh in on the prospects for a brokered GOP convention and how rising gas prices might affect the 2012 election. Read More »
2011 VOTE RATINGS

Divided We Stand

By John Aloysius Farrell
For the second year in a row, no Senate Democrat compiled a voting record to the right of any Senate Republican, and no Republican was to the left of any Senate Democrat. The divide between the parties was almost as stark in the Hou...

Read More »

Mapping the Vote Ratings: Senate

By Ryan Morris and
Read More »

Mapping the Vote Ratings: House

By Ryan Morris and
Read More »

Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: Senate

By Ryan Morris and
Read More »

Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House

By Ryan Morris and
Read More »

Insiders Divided Along Party Lines in Predicting Winner of Contraception Debate

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
The debate over employer coverage of contraception shows no signs of slowing, and the divided results from this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll may help explain why. Insiders in both parties are overwhelming convin...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Insiders on Romney’s Chances and Contraception

By Taylor West and
Do NJ’s Insiders still think Mitt Romney is the favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination? And what’s their take on the long-term politics of the flap over contraception?  Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: Taking STOCK

By Taylor West and
Insiders weigh in on the STOCK Act and how the economy will do between now and Election Day.  Read More »

Insiders Express Less Optimism About GOP Congressional Prospects

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
A small surge in optimism from Republicans -- and pessimism from Democrats -- regarding control of the House and Senate after the 2012 elections has waned since September, according to the latest National Journal Political Insider...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
NJ surveys Insiders on Democrats' chances of taking the House and the GOP's prospects for Senate control. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
Will Congress extend the payroll-tax cut through 2012? And how do Insiders grade the state of the union (the country, not the speech)?  Read More »

Insiders Divided Along Party Lines Over Impact of Primary on Romney

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
If frontrunner Mitt Romney survives the Republican primary process and becomes the party's presumptive nominee, a majority of Democrats surveyed in this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll say he will enter the gener...

Read More »

Taking the Stage for Reelection

By
Like his predecessors, President Obama could use his election-year State of the Union address as a launchpad for his campaign. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
How is Mitt Romney positioned for a general-election campaign? And will congressional leaders defer to the GOP nominee in setting legislative strategy?  Read More »

Insiders Divided Along Party Lines over Impact of Super PACs

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Democratic and Republican Insiders are sharply divided over the impact of super PACs on the political process. While almost all of the Democratic strategists surveyed in this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll said su...

Read More »

Insiders: GOP Nominating Contest Will Be Wrapped Up After Florida

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Look for the roller-coaster ride of the Republican presidential nominating contest to pull into the station by the end of the month. And much like a roller coaster, it's likely to end right where it started -- with Mitt Romney at ...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
Insiders predict when Republicans will have a presumptive presidential nominee. And they weigh in on super PACs' effect on the political process. Read More »

Insiders: Santorum, Gingrich Biggest Threats to Romney

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Mitt Romney may be the prohibitive favorite for the Republican presidential nomination, but National Journal 's Political Insiders think Romney's team should keep an eye on Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich . According to the re...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
Insiders assess the GOP race and payroll-tax-cut politics. Read More »

Living Longer Than Ever

By and Ryan Morris
Read More »

Insiders: Gingrich, Paul Favored in Iowa, But Not for Nomination

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
After months of the most volatile presidential nominating campaign in recent history, the first voting is nearly ready to begin. National Journal 's Political Insiders on both sides of the aisle are predicting a Jan. 3 Iowa Caucus ...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
Insiders agree: Gingrich wins Iowa. Read More »

Congressional Insiders Grade Themselves Poorly, But Still Hope for a Deal

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Numerous polls have shown Americans' deep disapproval of the current Congress. The latest National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll shows members of Congress - especially Democrats - aren't feeling so great about themselves ei...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: Members Grade Themselves for 2011

By Taylor West and
Legislators predict whether a deal will be struck on the payroll-tax cut and extended unemployment benefits. Read More »

Insiders Not Sold on Gingrich

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
The Gingrich Moment has yet to catch on with National Journal 's Political Insiders. Despite former House Speaker Newt Gingrich 's surge in the Republican presidential nomination contest, overwhelming majorities of both Democratic...

Read More »

Insiders: After Economy/Jobs, Deficit/Taxes Are Most Important 2012 Election Issues

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Even when it's not the economy, it's still the economy, stupid. It is widely accepted that jobs and the economy will dominate the elections of 2012, but what other issues will have a serious impact? According to this week's Nationa...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Could Gingrich Beat Obama?

By Taylor West and
Plus, the Insiders predict the top campaign issues of 2012. Read More »
SUPER COMMITTEE

Among Congressional Insiders, Pessimism Grows on Prospects for Super Committee

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
With the super committee's Nov. 23rd deadline looming, Republican Congressional Insiders' optimism about the committee's potential for success has begun to wane, while Democrats are largely maintaining their already gloomy outlook. ...

Read More »

Monthly Unemployment Rates by State

By
Read More »
NATIONAL SECURITY

Panetta Impresses on Both Sides of the Aisle

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Democrats and Republicans in Congress don't see eye-to-eye on much these days, but the members surveyed for this week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll agree on this -- Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta 's tenure is ...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
Will the super committee deliver? Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Political Insiders Not Sold on Cain

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
National Journal 's Political Insiders expect embattled candidate Herman Cain to remain in the race for the Republican presidential nomination at least through the Iowa caucuses in early January, but that doesn't mean they think ...

Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Insiders: Foreign Policy Cred Doesn't Mean a Lead in the Polls

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
As the Republican presidential candidates prepare to take part Saturday night in the first foreign-policy-focused debate of the campaign, National Journal 's Political Insiders say the GOP candidate with the most credibility on tho...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By Taylor West and
Insiders predict that Herman Cain will still be around when the voting starts in Iowa. Read More »

Ten Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next President

By and
Read More »

Democratic Congressional Insiders Lukewarm on Leadership

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
The Democratic members of Congress surveyed for this week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll weren't exactly overflowing with praise for their leaders. Asked to grade the performances of House Minority Leader Nancy Pe...

Read More »
POLITICS

Republicans See Glass Half-Full, Democrats All-Empty on Rise of Super PACs

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Super PACS -- the independent groups that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on political advertisements -- are showing up on both sides of the partisan divide, but Republican and Democratic members of Congress are predi...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: Super PACs

By Taylor West and
Congressional Insiders assess super PACs and Hill leadership. Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

GOP Insiders Near-Unanimous in Predicting Romney Nomination

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
The large Republican presidential field, along with the dramatic surges and collapses of several of its candidates, may ultimately be much ado about nothing. That, at least, is the conclusion of the Republican strategists surveyed i...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: GOP Presidential Candidates

By Taylor West and
Political Insiders rank the Republican presidential contenders. Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

For Perry, A Rapid Fundraising Rise -- and Fall

By and
Texas Gov. Rick Perry meets today with Washington insiders, and his fundraising figures show he may need to do an expert sell job. Read More »

Congressional Insiders' Feelings Mixed on Secrecy, Outcomes of Super Committee

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
With all eyes on the deficit-reduction super committee, members of Congress surveyed for this week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll expressed ambivalence about the secrecy of the committee's work and the likely resul...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

The Super Committee

By Taylor West and
Insiders weigh in on what happens if the panel fails and whether it's too secretive. Read More »

Political Insiders Say Dems Should Keep Their Distance From Occupy Wall Street Movement

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
As the Occupy Wall Street protests continue to spread and gain attention, some Democratic leaders and groups in Washington have begun cautiously exploring a closer relationship with the movement. But according to the latest Nationa...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Protesters and VP Candidates

By Taylor West and
We ask insiders for their take on GOP second fiddles and Occupy Wall Street. Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Insiders Swoon Over Rubio for VP Nomination

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
The Republican presidential nomination may still be up in the air, but political insiders in both parties are pretty sure they know who should be the second name on the GOP ticket. Two-thirds of the strategists surveyed in this week...

Read More »

Barriers Be Gone: U.S. Free-Trade Agreements

By Peter Bell, Brian McGill and Ryan Morris
Read More »

Mountains of Debt -- GRAPHIC

By , and Ryan Morris
Read More »
CONGRESS

Democrats Gloomy, Republicans More Optimistic on Prospects for Super Committee

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: The Super Committee

By Taylor West and
Will the super committee agree on a plan? What will be in it? Congressional Insiders weigh in. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Insiders Pick States That Will Determine GOP Presidential Nominee

By and Taylor West
Which state do Political Insiders think will be most important in the Republican presidential primary battle? And who’s to blame for Congress’s low approval ratings? Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

For Congressional Disapproval, Dem Insiders Blame GOP, GOP Blames Everyone

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
America hates Congress. Democratic Insiders blame Republicans. Republican Insiders blame everybody. Those are the results of the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll, which asked Insiders whom they considered most respo...

Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Insiders: Florida the New Presidential Kingmaker

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Move over, Iowa. Make room, New Hampshire. Florida could be the new presidential kingmaker, according to the results of this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll. Strategists and advisers from both parties said the Suns...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL: INSIDERS INCREASINGLY PREDICT GOP HOUSE AND SENATE IN 2012

Political Insiders Poll: Insiders Increasingly Predict GOP House and Senate in 2012

By Taylor West and
Democratic insiders now say there’s better than a 50-50 chance that Republicans will take over the Senate in 2012. And their hopes for Democratic control of the House are fading fast.   Read More »
POLITICS

Insiders Increasingly Predict GOP House and Senate in 2012

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Insiders in both parties are increasingly predicting that Republicans will control all of Congress after the 2012 elections, according to the results of the latest National Journal Political Insiders poll. Democratic Insiders' alr...

Read More »

Congressional Republicans Maintain Near-United Front on Offsets for Disaster Aid

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
From Hurricane Irene-related flooding on the Eastern Seaboard to the devastating wildfires in Texas, natural disasters have loomed large in the public consciousness in recent weeks. But in this week's National Journal Congressiona...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL: JOBS BILL COMPONENTS AND DISASTER AID

Congressional Insiders Poll: Jobs Bill Components and Disaster Aid

By and Taylor West
Members of Congress weigh in on what aspects of President Obama’s jobs bill they could support and whether disaster aid should be offset by spending cuts. Read More »
POLITICS

No Rallying Point for Congressional Insiders on Jobs

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
The future of President Obama 's jobs proposal in Congress remains questionable, according to this week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll. Members of Congress surveyed from each party are coalescing around individual...

Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Florida's I-4 Corridor

By and
A look at the battleground's battleground. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Jobs Bill and Obama's Reelection

By Taylor west and
Insiders weigh in on whether Obama is likely to win a second term and whether it’s in either party’s interest to pass a jobs bill. Read More »
EMPLOYMENT

Jobs Bill Not Politically Essential, GOP Insiders Say

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Less than half of Republican Political Insiders say it's politically important to their party for Congress to pass major jobs legislation this year, according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll. The results hig...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Dem Insiders Hold on to Hope for Obama, If Narrowly

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Largely due to the perceived weakness of the Republican field, Democratic Political Insiders still give President Obama better than even odds to win reelection, but not by much, according to the latest National Journal Political...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Mitt Romney Versus Rick Perry; Best Job-Creation Proposals

By Taylor West and
Who has a better shot versus President Obama: Mitt Romney or Rick Perry? By a wide margin, Insiders in both parties pick Romney. The Insiders also weigh in on various job-creation options. Hint: Don’t expect a lot of agreemen...

Read More »

Insiders Divided Over Job Creation Proposals

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
If President Obama hopes to achieve bipartisan consensus around job creation next week, he'd better deliver a heck of a speech. This week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll reveals deep divides and little common ground a...

Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Insiders: GOP Would Be Better Off With Romney for 2012

By Taylor West and Peter Bell
Texas Gov. Rick Perry may be surging in polls of Republican primary voters, but his party's Insiders aren't convinced he'd be the best general election candidate. More than two-thirds of Republican Insiders say Mitt Romney has a...

Read More »
INFOGRAPHIC

The Decade Since 9/11

By , Ryan Morris and
Read More »
WEATHER

Irene May Be Only Washington's Latest Hurricane

By Kenneth Chamberlain, Carrie Mihalcik and
As Hurricane Irene bears down on Washington -- or not -- here's a history of the area's worst hurricanes. Read More »

GRAPHIC: Libyan Oil, Room to Grow

By
Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Who is Leading the GOP Field?

By James A. Barnes and
"If Rick Perry gets in, he becomes the immediate challenger to Romney," one Republican Insider responded. Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Perry Emerges as Main Challenger to Romney, GOP Operatives Say

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Republican political operatives continue to see former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the frontrunner for their party's 2012 presidential nomination, but Texas Gov. Rick Perry has become his primary challenger according the t...

Read More »

Democratic Insiders View Romney as Obama's Main Threat

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
With the economy sputtering, Democratic political operatives view former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the main Republican threat to President Obama 's reelection, according to this week's National Journal Political Insider...

Read More »
DEBT CEILING

Swing District Members Most Likely to Vote for Deal

By and
House members in both parties from more competitive seats combined forces on Monday evening to pass a compromise debt-ceiling increase, while members from safe seats provided most of the votes against the package. There was a cle...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: Is Divided Government Good or Bad?

By James A. Barnes and
Also: How Powerful Will the Tea Party be in 2012? Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Debt-ceiling Winners and Losers

By James A. Barnes and
Debt-ceiling winners and losers.  Read More »

Insiders Split on Debt Ceiling Winners and Losers

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democratic and Republican political operatives were divided on who has gained ground politically and who has lost yards in the debt ceiling debate, however, Democrats have a more cohesive view on how the negations have played out so...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: Which Party Would Pay if Debt-Ceiling Deal Isn't Reached?

By James A. Barnes and
Debt-ceiling fallout. Read More »
BUDGET

Insiders Differ on Impact of Debt Ceiling Dawdle

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democratic and Republican Members of Congress agree that the economy would take a significant hit if the debt ceiling is not raised by early August, but they differ on how hard a blow that would be. Democrats see a catastrophe, whi...

Read More »
POLITICS

Insiders Split on Who Gets Blamed for Debt Ceiling Strikeout

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
No surprises here--Democratic and Republican Members of Congress are sharply divided on which party will lose the most if an agreement on raising the debt ceiling is not reached by the August 2 deadline, according to this week's Na...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Should Members Agree on Closing Business Tax Breaks and Medicare Reforms for Deficit Deal?

By James A. Barnes and
Plus: Insiders weigh in on gay marriage. Read More »

Gay Marriage Gains Ground Among Insiders

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democratic political operatives overwhelmingly say the time has come for gay marriage, while a majority of Republicans now believe they should just avoid this issue, according to this week's National Journal Political Insiders Pol...

Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Insiders Appear Willing to Deal On Medicare and Business Tax Breaks

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Political operatives in both parties back a debt-ceiling compromise that would close business tax breaks in exchange for making significant Medicare reforms, according to this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll. But s...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: Will 'Biden Group' Meet Deadline for Deficit Deal?

By James A. Barnes and
Prospects for a debt-ceiling deal. Read More »

Congressional Insiders Divided On Fate of Libya Operations Funding

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democratic and Republican Members of Congress differ on how likely Congress is to cut off funding for U.S. military operations in Libya according to this week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll. Democrats overwhelmingl...

Read More »
BUDGET

Members of Congress Skeptical that Biden Group Will Meet Deadline

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Despite the self-imposed deadline of July 1 set by the bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Vice President Joe Biden to craft a deficit-reduction plan, a majority of Democratic and Republican Members of Congress doubt that target ...

Read More »

Hill People: Who Are They and Where Did They Come From?

By
This graphic is part of National Journal's special Hill People issue. Every four years, National Journal devotes an entire magazine to profiling top congressional staffers, many of whom toil behind the scenes in relative anonymity. Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

EXCLUSIVE: Political Insiders Give Debate Nod to Romney, Bachmann

By James A. Barnes, and Ory Rinat
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was the winner of the first major presidential debate tonight according to a survey of Republican and Democratic political operatives, campaign consultants, and party strategists, in a special ...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: What Will a Debt-Ceiling Agreement Contain?

By James A. Barnes and
Components of a debt-ceiling deal. Read More »
BUDGET

Congressional Insiders: Bye-Bye Ryan Plan

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Members of Congress in both parties don't believe the controversial Medicare reforms drafted by the House Republican Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan will be a part of an eventual agreement to raise the debt ceiling, according ...

Read More »

Congressional Insiders Say Debt Ceiling Won't Include Balanced Budget Amendment

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democratic and Republican Members of Congress don't expect that an eventual deal on the increasing the debt ceiling will include a provision for a constitutional amendment to balance the budget, according to this week's National Jo...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Who is Most Likely to Capture the 2012 GOP Presidential Nomination?

By James A. Barnes and
Rating the White House hopefuls. Read More »
THE NEXT ECONOMY

Three Hundred and Counting: The Country's Majority-Minority Counties

By , and Ryan Morris
In 2042, minorities will outnumber non-Hispanic whites nationally for the first time. In more than 300 of the nation’s 3,000-plus counties, they already do. Read More »

Democratic Insiders: Romney, Huntsman Biggest Threats to Obama

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democratic operatives and party strategists believe that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney , followed closely by former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman would be the strongest candidates that the Republicans could nominate from their f...

Read More »

GOP Insiders Say It's Romney, but...

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Republican operatives continue to believe that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the candidate most likely to capture the party's 2012 presidential nomination, but at the same time many either lack enthusiasm for his candid...

Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: A Revenue Increase to Cut the Deficit?

By James A. Barnes and
Weighing in on a revenue increase to cut the deficit, federal-employee pensions. Read More »

Congressional Insiders Split on Debt Ceiling

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Republican and Democratic Members of Congress have very different expectations for how much of a revenue increase will be contained in any agreement to raise the debt ceiling, according to the latest National Journal Congressional...

Read More »

Congressional Insiders Eye Federal Employee Pensions

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Under pressure to cut the deficit, a huge majority of Republican Members of Congress and a fair share of Democrats are prepared to ask federal employees to increase their contributions to their own pensions, according to the latest ...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Who Benefits Most from Huckabee Bowing Out?

By James A. Barnes and
Huckabee, Trump bow out. Read More »

Insiders On Trump: We Never Believed It

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
An overwhelming number of political operatives in both parties say that they never thought celebrity developer and TV show host Donald Trump was serious about seeking the presidency, according the latest National Journal Politi...

Read More »
POLITICS

Insiders: Pawlenty Gains Most From Huckabee's Exit

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Political operatives in both parties believe that Republican White House hopeful former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty gains the most from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee 's decision not to make another run for the GOP presidenti...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll: Will Republicans Take Over the Senate?

By James A. Barnes and
Will Republicans take over the Senate? Read More »
POLITICS

Insiders Rate GOP Senate Prospects High

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
At this early stage in the election cycle, political operatives in both parties believe that the Republican chances for winning back the Senate are relatively high, according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll. Read More »
POLITICS

Insiders Skeptical of Democrats Retaking House

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Political operatives in both parties--but especially Republicans--are skeptical that Democrats will be able to regain control of the House of Representatives in the 2012 elections according to the latest National Journal Political...

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ENERGY

Consensus on Addressing Gas Prices Eludes Congressional Insiders

By James A. Barnes and
There may be bipartisan agreement on Capitol Hill that the spike in gas prices could throttle the economy, but very little consensus appears to be forming on what to do about it, according to the latest  National Journal Congr...

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CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: A Faster Pullout from Afghanistan?

By James A. Barnes and
A faster pullout from Afghanistan? Read More »
POLITICS

Foreign Policy Dramas Build Support for Presidents but Not for Long

By and Kathy Kiely
The American public tends to rally around presidents at moments of high foreign policy drama, but the poll data shows just how fickle voters can be. Read More »

EXCLUSIVE POLL: Insiders from Both Parties Give Obama High Marks

By James A. Barnes and
President Obama has received a major political boost—at least for now—from the successful U.S. military action that killed 9-11 master-mind Osama bin Laden, according to a National Journal Political Insiders Poll conducted thi...

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POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

How National Journal's Political Insiders Rate the Celebrities

By James A. Barnes and
Political Insiders on which celebs are the most effective political campaigners. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
The politics of high gas prices. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll: Will Spending Caps, Entitlement Reforms be Attached to Debt-Limit Increase?

By James A. Barnes and
Playing out the budget battle. Read More »
GRAPHIC

The Human Footprint

By , and Ryan Morris
Humanity’s impact has spread unevenly but everywhere as we have transformed land and sea to meet the demands of a population that has doubled to 7 billion in 40 years. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Who would gain from a budget deal? Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Does Qaddafi have to go? Read More »
REDISTRICTING

Nonpartisan Iowa Congressional Mapmakers Favor Democrats

By Cameron Joseph and
Iowa’s nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency released its first proposed redistricting map on Thursday morning, and it favors Democrats. Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Democratic Insiders See Indiana as Obama’s Biggest Hurdle in 2012

By James A. Barnes
From the states that he won in 2008, Democratic operatives believe that President Obama will have the most difficulty carrying Indiana again when he runs for reelection, according to a special National Journal Political Insiders...

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GRAPHIC

Building a Nation of Homeowners

By
The Great Recession of 2007-09, which erased much of the recent gains in homeownership, has called into question whether Americans have become over-invested in the dream. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Libya and unions are the topics. Read More »
ENERGY

GRAPHIC: Inside a Nuclear Reactor

By and
Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders are asked about the potential GOP presidential candidates. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Members of Congress in both parties say that a government shutdown would hurt their party, but Republicans are more pessimistic than Democrats about the consequences, according to this week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Politics of government shutdowns. Read More »
2010 VOTE RATINGS

Vote Ratings: Senate Centrists in Decline

By , and Ryan Morris
Over the past 30 years, the number of senators receiving NJ vote rating scores between the most liberal Senate Republican and the most conservative Senate Democrat has dramatically declined. Composite liberal scores are listed. Read More »
GRAPHIC

2010 Vote Ratings: Breaking Down the Votes

By
Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Grading President Obama on Egypt. Read More »
BUDGET

Obama and Republican Hit Lists on Spending: A Comparison

By Edmund L. Andrews, and Katy O'Donnell
A comparison of Obama's Top 20 proposed spending cuts with those of the GOP shows some surprising similarities -- and some unexpected differences. Read More »
BUDGET

Interactive Graphic: Budget Through History

By and
President Obama unveiled his $3.7 trillion budget on Monday. See how Obama's proposal for fiscal year 2012 compares with previous years. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders discuss what they think the prospects are for significant entitlement reform in this Congress and assess if they think U.S. interests in the Middle East will be helped or hurt by democracy spreading in the region.  Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders discuss if it is politically smart for House Republicans to support converting Medicare into a voucher system, and assess if they support eliminating the federal matching-fund system for presidential elections starting in 2012. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders discuss which measures should be in a bill to raise the debt ceiling, and assess what Congress is most likely to do about the health care law this year. Read More »

Bipartisan Gestures

By Peter Bell
When their party has taken a drubbing in midterm elections, presidents have used their State of the Union addresses to pledge their cooperation with the opposition in Congress. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders discuss what grade they would give Republicans in their transition to the majority in the House, and assess who has the most influence over the quality of political discourse. Read More »

TIMELINE: Presidential Visits—U.S. & China

By and
Since President Nixon's historic trip to China in 1972—the first ever for a sitting president—visits by leaders of the two countries have become more frequent. President George W. Bush went to China four times during his preside...

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CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders discuss if security should be heightened for members of Congress when they're in their districts, and assess how they would characterize the quality of political discourse these days. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Rating the 2012 hopefuls. Read More »
REDISTRICTING

GRAPHIC: Reapportionment 2010

By and
Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Best of 2010, worst of 2010. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Do lawmakers really get along? Read More »

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders are split on prospects for deficit reduction and "don't ask, don't tell" repeal. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Is Obama to blame for November 2? Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and
Insiders are asked whether the current House GOP leadership can represent tea party interests well. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Election 2010: The Results Are In

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Here’s how our Democratic and Republican Political Insiders fared in their Election Day predictions. The top Republican Insider was consultant Chris LaCivita. The top Democrats were lobbyist Tom O’Donnell and pollster Mark Mellman. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
National Journal insiders handicap the midterm election. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
What’s the best Election Day outcome for President Obama? Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss on a scale of zero (no chance) to 10 (virtual certainty), the likelihood of the Republicans taking over the House and Senate this November. Read More »

Off Target 2

Here is a picture of the airstrikes graphic. Here is a picture of the airstrikes graphic. Here is a picture of the airstrikes graphic. Here is a picture of the airstrikes graphic. Read More »

Our Ocean Frontier

The U.S. has jurisdiction over more ocean than any other nation, but a national ocean policy to coordinate the management of this vast resource has eluded advocates. This map shows the extent of U.S. waters. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insides discuss which party committee is doing a better job in the run-up to the midterm elections. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss whom they would like to campaign for them this fall, and assess if their party is in the minority in the House after the midterms, who do they think will be its leader. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders rank the top two arguments for the Democrats and Republicans in the congressional midterm elections. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss whether they would like to see a compromise on temporarily extending the Bush tax cuts for one year for all income earners, and assess if they would like to see Reps. Charles Rangel and Maxine Waters resign. Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss the likelihood of Republicans taking over the House and Senate this November. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss how important will the ethics charges against Democratic Reps. Charles Rangel and Maxine Waters be in the midterm elections, and assess if the Justice Department's legal challenge to Arizona's immigration law helps o...

Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss whether they think it is in their party's interest for Congress to pass energy legislation this year, and assess if President Obama will be an asset or a liability to Democrats in the midterm elections. Read More »
BUDGET

Poll: Public Puts Higher Priority On Cutting Budget Deficit

By Peter Bell
As a divided Congress moves to extend jobless benefits this week, a narrow majority of the public says it is more important for government to reduce the budget deficit than to spend money or cut taxes to promote economic growth, acc...

Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss how likely are the Republicans to take over the House this November, and assess how many Senate seats will Democrats gain or lose this November. Read More »
CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders rate their confidence in the Obama administration's conduct of the war in Afghanistan, and assess the prospects for energy legislation this year. Read More »
BEYOND THE BELTWAY

Breaking Into The Boys' Club

By Peter Bell
When South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley called the state government in Columbia "a fraternity party," she wasn't far from the mark. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Congressional insiders discuss what's on voters' minds, and speculate on whether the White House's handling of the oil spill will help or hurt their party in November. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Political insiders discuss repealing "don't ask, don't tell" and grade President Obama's handling of the BP oil spill. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Congressional insiders speculate on Democratic losses in the House and Senate in November. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders pick the biggest losers--and winners--after Tuesday's elections. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Congressional insiders debate a Miranda exception for accused terrorists, and discuss how the Gulf oil spill might affect the prospects for climate-change legislation. Read More »
POWER PLAY

Deepwater Exploration By The Numbers

By Peter Bell
Oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico is marked by two notable features: the dominance of a few major players and their push into ever-deeper waters in search of resources. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Political insiders discuss whether the oil spill in the Gulf should influence the president to change his offshore drilling plans, and look at the best immigration options for their party this year. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Congressional insiders discuss the merits of a value-added tax and assess the chances for immigration reform in 2010. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss the merits of a bipartisan approach to Wall Street reform, and assess whether President Obama will help or hurt Democrats in competitive races. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders speculate on whether Obama will be a one-term president, and assess their national party chairmen. Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Congressional insiders on whether Emanuel and Axelrod are good for the Obama administration; they also discuss how passage of a health reform bill might affect their party's midterm election performance. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss the advantages and disadvantages of reconciliation on health reform, and assess Democratic Senate prospects in the midterm elections. Read More »
BEYOND THE BELTWAY

Initiative Would Shore Up Support For California Parks

By Peter Bell
California has more natural beauty than almost any other state. More beaches and forests, and more state parks to preserve them. California also has more budget problems, enough that Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget in...

Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Political insiders discuss jobs legislation and potential benefits of the bipartisan health care summit. Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss if they favor lifting the ban on gays serving openly in the military, and assess how many Senate seats will Democrats gain or lose this November. Read More »
POLITICAL INSIDERS POLL

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss whether their party will benefit from another televised session between President Obama and Hill Republicans, and assess how many House seats Democrats may lose or gain this November. Read More »
INSIDERS POLL

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss the most likely fate of President Obama's health care reform initiative, and assess the political impact of the Supreme Court's recent campaign finance ruling. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss the impact of unemployment on the 2010 elections, and speculate on whether Congress will enact cap-and-trade legislation to curb global warming. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss which issues will be the most important in the 2010 midterm elections, and assess whether the White House's decision to take on Fox News helps or hurts President Obama. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss whether Congress should pass another stimulus package if unemployment continues to rise, and whether a public option will be included if health care legislation clears Congress this year. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss the most likely outcome of President Obama's health care reform initiative and grade his handling of foreign policy. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes, Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss how much will Democrats be helped or hurt in the midterm elections if Congress doesn't pass major health care reform legislation, how closely should the Republican Party align itself with the "tea party" movement, an...

Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss whether Republicans are likely to take over the House in the 2010 elections, and assess how Senate Republicans will fare in 2010. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders grade President Obama's handling of health care reform, as well as congressional Republicans' effectiveness as the "loyal opposition." Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss cap-and-trade legislation and additional stimulus measures. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders grade the White House staff and the administration's economic and national security teams. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
The impact of Specter's party switch on major legislation; what to do about swine flu. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
The Obama administration's handling of General Motors and Chrysler; predicting the outcome of congressional debate on energy and climate change. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
How should Congress respond to the recent deficit projections? Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders grade President Obama's inaugural address and assess how politically important it is that the President win legislative approval of various initiatives this year. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
The likelihood of Barack Obama as a successful president; Assessing the George W. Bush's presidency. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Congressional insiders on the prospects for "card-check" legislation in 2009. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
How our Political Insiders fared with their election predictions. Read More »
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Insiders: Obama Gains In Town Hall

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
John McCain finally got his town hall debate with Barack Obama -- but not the result he was hoping for. After the candidates' encounter at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Democrats were enthusiastic over Obama's perf...

Read More »
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Insiders See More Than One Way To Win Debate

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Neither threw a knockout punch in the vice presidential debate on Thursday night, but both Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin came out winners -- at least in their own corners -- according to a survey of ...

Read More »

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders consider which blue states McCain could pick up in November. Read More »
INSIDE TWIN CITIES

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders consider which blue states McCain could pick up in November. Read More »
INSIDE DENVER

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders consider which red states Obama could pick up in November. Read More »
CONVENTION DAILY

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Insiders rate the importance of conventions to their cause. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Insiders discuss global warming and presidential priorities. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Both Democratic and Republican insiders predict a healthy Democratic gain in the House come November. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democratic insiders favor Hillary Rodham Clinton or Kathleen Sebelius as Obama's running mate; Mitt Romney is Republican insiders' top choice for the GOP ticket. Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Democrats (42 votes) Read More »
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES

Playing The Field

By Keith Koffler, with Peter Bell contributing
Donations from lobbyists and their firms to the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain of Arizona have risen this year as he has all but wrapped up the Republican nomination, but the numbers might not support charges that the v...

Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
Democrats (88 votes) Read More »
INSIDE WASHINGTON

Congressional Insiders Poll

By Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell
Democrats (41 votes) Read More »

National Journal Political Insiders Poll

By James A. Barnes and Peter Bell
DEMOCRATS (81 votes) Read More »
COVER STORY

Inauguration Issue: Team Players

By Peter Bell and Alexis Simendinger
Texas loyalists who will play key roles in Bush's second term: Read More »
SEE MORE
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