Matthew Cooper

Matthew Cooper

National Correspondent

Matthew Cooper is national correspondent for National Journal. Cooper has held reporting and editorial positions at several of Washington’s most respected news organizations, serving as White House Correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, deputy Washington Bureau Chief for Newsweek, deputy Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for Time, and Politics Editor for Time.com. Cooper has also been an Editor for Washington Monthly and The New Republic, Washington Editor for Conde Nast Portfolio, Politics Correspondent for TheAtlantic.com, and Editor-at-Large for TalkingPointsMemo.com. Cooper has also contributed to Slate and the New York Times. He also contributes to 2012 Decoded. Prior to joining National Journal, he was Senior Adviser to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.

Matthew Cooper's Latest Posts

In Boston, Obama Finds His Voice and the Nation's: 'We Will Run Again'

By
Standing ovations greet Obama at interfaith service where he vows: "We will run again." Read More »

Without a Suspect in Boston Marathon Bombing, Obama Has a Heavy Burden

By
We knew who bombed Oklahoma City and who killed Kennedy within hours. What a president goes through when there is no culprit. Read More »

Don't Jump to Conclusions About Boston Marathon Explosions

By
We don't know what happened. We don't know if they were bombs. We don't know if someone was angry at Boston in particular or at tax day or at anything else.  Read More »

Why Is North Korea Acting Out?

By
Two members of Congress discuss John Kerry's trip to the Korean Peninsula, what China can do to help, and the Kim Jong Un relatives who seem to be guiding the rogue leader. Read More »

7 Things to Know About Obama's Budget

By
You’ll see a lot about the aggregate budget size of $3.8 trillion. But here are the things that are really worth knowing. Read More »

Margaret Thatcher Was Tougher Than Reagan

By
She cut budgets and took on unions creating economic strife in England. Read More »

Prop 8 Challenger Ted Olson Was My Lawyer

By
The conservative litigator takes his fight for same-sex marriage to the Supreme Court. What I learned about why he's such a fierce and clever advocate. Read More »

What the 1970s ERA Debate Means for Same-Sex Marriage

By
In the '70s, the Equal Rights Amendment looked like it would become law. And then it didn't.  Read More »

Why Rand Paul's Hispanic Pitch Is Doomed

By
He's pushing the idea that Hispanics are natural Republicans. The polling says that's wrong. Read More »

Why the RNC's Reforms Don't Solve the GOP's Problem

By
The Republican Party's base still controls the debate in Washington. Read More »
POLITICS

GOP Can't Win Latinos Over Immigration

By
Earlier this winter, Ann Coulter brought her usual light touch to the question of the Hispanic vote. The author of Godless: The Church of Liberalism argued in a column that Republicans who support immigration reform in an effort t...

Read More »

Rob Portman's Lessons for Congress — And the Rest of Us

By
It's a reminder of how empathy moves policy and why politicians need it.  Read More »
IMMIGRATION

Republicans Can't Win Latinos With Immigration Reform

By
From big government to gay rights, America's fastest-growing demographic bloc aligns with Democrats.  Read More »

Can a Pathetic Congress Really Pass Tax Reform?

By
Despite all odds, some members of Congress still believe. NJ chats with one.  Read More »

Why Are Conservatives Calling Obama Lazy?

By
The meme--tossed around by Roger Ailes and John Sununu--is astounding on many levels.  Read More »

Two Cheers for Sheryl Sandberg, Who Helped Give Us the Financial Crisis

By
She made a billion; wrote  Lean In , a good book on feminism; and helped deregulate the financial sector. Read More »

Rand Paul and Washington's Night of Hypocrisy

By
Rand Paul’s filibuster was surprising, compelling, and a perfect window into Washington’s hypocrisy. Read More »

Why Washington, D.C. Is a City of Snow Wusses

By
Neither Southern nor Northern, we Washingtonians freak out every time the flakes fall. Read More »

The 6 Species of Secretaries That Will Define Obama's Term

By
The president has made most of his top administration picks. Here's how they all fit into his second term. Read More »

Meet the Newly Appointed OMB Director, Sylvia Mathews Burwell

By
Appointed OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell's modest style belies her accomplishments. Can she deal with sequestration and a feisty Congress? Read More »

The Supreme Court Seems Ready to Send Voting Rights Issue to Congress

By
The justices seem certain to strike down or change the Voting Rights Act. What Congress and President Obama might do. Read More »

Don't Laugh at Italy's Elections

By
Italy is dealing with austerity – with less whining than we are. Read More »

Obama's Budget-Cut Strategy: Wax Reasonable and Sound the Alarm

By
So far the sequester fight is going Obama's way, but that'll hardly be guaranteed when the cuts start coming.  Read More »
IMMIGRATION

6 Questions to Pose to Immigration Reformers

By
With Congress still trying to hammer out an immigration reform bill, here are six questions worth thinking about: Read More »

6 Questions for the Immigration Reformers

By
From border security to H1-B visas, much needs to be answered in the looming immigration debate. Read More »

The Good Side of Sequestration

By
The cuts are painful but will at least teach a lesson in what government does and why we shouldn't demonize it. Read More »

Is Obama Being Too Mean to the White House Press Corps?

By
It's fine to push for access, but no reason to be a drama queen about it. Especially when the real victims are the investigative reporters. Read More »
LAW

Voting Rights Act Faces a Supreme Test

By
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority may modify a key part of the Voting Rights Act. But it’s unlikely to eviscerate it. Read More »

The Age of the Promiscuous Filibuster

By
In the age of rampant filibusters, anything can happen. Even the blocking of a Defense Secretary nominee. Read More »

A Short History of the Minimum Wage Fight

By
The country had had enough. In 1936, after the Supreme Court had struck down President Roosevelt’s  attempt at a federal minimum wage, the country was livid. For years, the Court had been striking down minimum wage laws.  Read More »

5 Things Obama Tried to Say During His State of the Union Address -- But Didn't

By
Some words missing from tonight's State of the Union address: Iraq. Famine. Sudan. Moon. Mars. Assault rifles. Keystone XL. Videogames. Clinton. Fracking. Read More »

The 9 Biggest Cliches in State of the Union Addresses

By
Peggy Noonan, James Fallows, Matt Latimer, Eli Attie, and others weigh in on the hack phrases to avoid.  Read More »

Ex-Benedict: Why Popes Matter to Presidents

By
From JFK to Reagan, they have affected U.S. administrations. Will Benedict XVI's successor complicate life for Obama? Read More »

Why Conservatives Should Love 'The Americans'

By
The FX anti-Soviet drama is sexy, intriguing, and pro-Reagan. Read More »

Spending Cuts Stink, But They're Overhyped by Obama and Republicans Alike

By
Yes, sequestration is bad. But government agencies have an incentive to make it seem more dire than it is. Read More »

How Ed Koch Remade Liberalism

By
The late New York mayor wasn't just a character, but a transformational figure. Read More »

Chuck Hagel: President Obama's Punching Bag

By
Contentious confirmation hearing a preview of bitter fights over White House defense policy. Read More »

The Right and Wrong Ways to Change Your Politics

By
Max Kampelman's passing this week at the age of 92 offers a timely lesson that there are right and wrong ways to change your politics. Read More »

Why Obama Could Be the Biggest Obstacle to An Immigration Deal

By
Sometimes stepping back and using soft power makes sense on Capitol Hill and in diplomacy.  Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Denis McDonough and the 6 Habits of Highly Effective Chiefs of Staff

By
Rahm Emanuel, Dick Cheney and what it takes to do Washington's second-most-powerful job. Read More »

Why John Kerry Is the Ultimate Comeback Kid

By
He’s the right man for the Secretary of State job, but he has to be sure not to get "Swift-Boated" again. Read More »

9 Things You Want to Know About Hillary Clinton's Testimony--and 1 You Need to Know

By
The scuffles, the praise, the questions about Benghazi—it all came out this morning, and so did an ominous warning about al-Qaida. Read More »

Why Benghazi Hasn't Brought Down Hillary Clinton–and Won't

By
The secretary of State testifies today, but because of years of taking hits and careful damage control she'll leave unscathed. Read More »

Why Liberals Should Thank Justice Scalia for Gun Control

By
His ruling in a key Supreme Court case will let President Obama push his proposals Read More »

7 Hopeful Signs for Republicans

By
They're down but not out. Here's why things are better than you think for the GOP. Read More »

When Are Kids Political Props?

By
That NRA ad. Kids for gun control. What's too much? Read More »

How Chuck Schumer Saved Chuck Hagel

By
Barack Obama's Defense Secretary nomination looks safe Read More »

Jay Rockefeller Retirement Brings the Old Money, Big Fame Era to an End

By
Jay Rockefeller’s announcement that he won’t seek reelection in 2014 marks the end of an era in American politics. Read More »
POLITICS

Critics Rail Obama for Diversity Dearth in Cabinet Picks

By Matthew Cooper
They're saying the first black president hasn't appointed enough women and minorities. Look again.   Read More »

The Diversity Police Bash Obama for Jack Lew and Chuck Hagel

By
They're saying the first black president hasn't appointed enough women and minorities. Look again. Read More »

What Washington Has Taught Hollywood

By
And the Oscar goes to ... Politics. Read More »

What 'Zero Dark Thirty' Says About How Washington Works

By
Yes, it's about war and waterboarding. But there's much more to Kathryn Bigelow's epic and Jessica Chastain's character.  Read More »
DEFENSE

What History Says About Chuck Hagel's Senate Chances

By
John Tower got nixed by his fellow Senators. What Obama and Biden can learn from his mistakes. Read More »
CULTURE OF WASHINGTON

Downton Abbey's Lessons for the Obama Era

By
Why is the BBC show such a big hit? Because #DowntonPBS hits us where we live. Read More »
BUDGET

The $1 Trillion Platinum Coin Is As Good an Idea As FDR's Court-Packing

By
A provocative idea has the Treasury secretary minting $1 trillion coins to pay off the debt. Ignore it. Read More »
POLITICS

What Mark Kirk Can Teach a Hypocrite Congress

By
Everyone on Capitol Hill is delighted to see Sen. Mark Kirk return to work today, almost a year after his stroke. Kirk was vigorous and only in his early 50s when he was felled last year and the illness hit everyone hard. For Kirk, ...

Read More »
POLITICS

How the Tea Party Raised Taxes

By
The great irony of the fiscal-cliff deal: The tea party forced the tax hike.  Read More »
ENVIRONMENT

Chuck Hagel's Real Problem May Be Climate Change

By
Forget about Israel. Hagel made his name opposing a global warming accord. Read More »
JUDICIARY

The Irony of Robert Bork

By
There are already lots of appraisals pouring in about the brilliant jurist Robert Bork. John Podhoretz has an encomium in Commentary  echoing Bork's own explanation of his central belief that politics is best left to politicia...

Read More »
GUN CONTROL

After Newtown, 4 Ways the NRA Could Change

By
When thinking about the Newtown massacre and the NRA, it's worth remembering a few things. Read More »
CONGRESS

Poll Shows Public Wants Entitlements Left Untouched

By
As Democrats and Republicans in Washington remain at odds over how to reshape the nation’s finances and prevent it from falling over the fiscal cliff, the public is supportive of cutting spending and at the same time more protecti...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Poll Shows Ambivalence on Fiscal Cliff, Support for Rice

By
As the White House and congressional Republicans try to keep the nation from going over the so-called fiscal cliff, a new survey finds that the public is amenable to raising taxes on wealthier Americans and as averse as ever to cutt...

Read More »
ELECTION ANALYSIS

After All That, Political Status Quo Remains

By
After all that, it turned out to be a big old status-quo election. President Obama wins. The Senate barely budges. The House stays about the same. Read More »

1972 Presidential Nominee George McGovern Dies

By
A champion of American liberalism and a dogged opponent of the Vietnam War, former Democratic Sen. George McGovern has died after an extraordinary life that took him from the farmland of South Dakota to piloting bombers over Nazi Ge...

Read More »

Former Sen. George McGovern Dies

By
Former Democratic Sen. George McGovern, 90, Dies McGovern died early Sunday morning at a hospice, surrounded by friends and family, the Associated Press reported . The longtime lawmaker was best known for his unsuccessf...

Read More »
POWER

Postal Service Defaults on Payment to Treasury

By Matthew Cooper
To no one's surprise the U.S. Postal Service failed to make a $5.6 billion payment to the Treasury on Sunday. Read More »
INFLUENCE

Lawmakers Are Asked for a Weather Commission

By Matthew Cooper
A coalition of meteorologists is asking Congress to create a weather commission to examine how best to improve forecasting and help the country deal with billions of dollars of weather-related damages each year. Read More »
CONGRESS

Medicare Views Raise Warning Signs for Both Parties

By
With less than two months to go before Election Day, Americans are expressing concern about the viability of the Medicare system, a leading Republican plan to reform it, and whether President Obama’s health care plan will help the...

Read More »
ELECTION ANALYSIS

Ryan Praises Rahm But What Took So Long?

By
So Mitt Romney denounced Chicago's striking teachers but didn't mention Rahm Emanuel, the mayor who is on the opposite side of the picket line. Read More »
COMMENTARY

Imagining the Speech Obama Could Have Given

By
On Friday morning, on the floor of the Time Warner Cable Arena, the lost notes from President Obama’s acceptance speech, “The Not-So-Hopeful Files,” were discovered amid the confetti. Here they are: Read More »

The Democratic Platform: A Missed Opportunity

By
The Democratic platform from 1980, the last time a Democratic president faced a really tough reelection fight, and the one put out on Monday night offer a window into why President Obama is in better shape than President Carter was...

Read More »

When Biden Debates Ryan: A Generational Clash

By
Leaving aside Joe Biden’s verbal miscues, it’s worth remembering that he’s a formidable debater. Most recently he did well going up against Sarah Palin, who used the 2008 vice presidential debate to pull out of a nosedive afte...

Read More »

What Obama Could Learn From Harry Truman

By
The president was fighting for reelection. Eyebrows were raised about his older vice presidential nominee. And his opponent, a Northeastern governor, had a good shot at unseating him. Harder still, he faced Republican opponents in C...

Read More »

How Obama Can Defend the Stimulus

By
Republicans in Tampa agreed on many things: Hard work is good; “Obamacare” is bad. You built it; he didn’t. Talking to chairs is good; talking to Iran, not so much. Read More »
COMMENTARY

Imagining an Honest, Yet Risky, Romney Acceptance Speech

By
On Friday morning, Aug. 31, after the convention was over, amidst all the confetti on the floor of the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Convention Daily came across excerpts from Mitt Romney’s Thursday-night acceptance speech that were r...

Read More »

Why Republicans Need to Get FEMA Right

By
Before there was Katrina or Isaac, there was Andrew. In 1992, 20 years ago almost to this very week, the Category 5 hurricane struck Florida. It was then the costliest hurricane in U.S. history, and the federal government’s botche...

Read More »

Artur Davis and the Crossover’s Appeal

By
Academics don’t usually bring convention audiences to their feet. But in 1984, Jeane Kirkpatrick took the podium at the Reunion Arena in Dallas and gave a stem-winder. Then 61 and the author of scholarly treatises on dictatorships...

Read More »
CONVENTIONS 2012

A Convention Bump for Congress? Forget About It

By
If history is any guide, the Romney-Ryan ticket should get a bounce out of the convention. Republicans in Congress? Not so much. And they really need some love. Read More »
POWER

Hochul Releases Tax Returns

By Matthew Cooper
What's happening back in the districts? In upstate New York, one of the most watched members, Rep. Kathy Hochul , a Democrat who won a special election in 2011, posted her tax returns online . Read More »
POLITICS

Is Ryan Really a Fiscal Hawk?

By
Despite his reputation as a fiscal hawk, Rep. Paul Ryan , R-Wis., has voted for some pricey items over the years that have added to the debt burden of the United States. Read More »

Would Vice-President Elect Ryan Stay for the Lame Duck?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
ANALYSIS

How Biden and Ryan Stack Up

By
When Joe Biden and Paul Ryan debate in Danville, Kentucky on October 11, it’ll be one of the more interesting moments in American politics and it will be the test for Paul Ryan.   Read More »

Ryan = Kemp, Ryan = Palin (Yes, Palin): Warning Signs for Romney

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
POWER

Status Check: How Campaigns Are Going Back Home

By Matthew Cooper
How's the presidential campaign playing in congressional district races? Read More »
CONGRESS

Rep. Geoff Davis Announces Resignation

By
The decision came as a surprise and was issued in the form of a statement on his Congressional website. In December, Davis announced he would not seek reelection for a fifth term. Davis has been in Congress since 2005 and i...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Poll Shows Tough Landscape for Incumbents

By
A strong plurality of Americans are seeking members of Congress who are more willing to compromise, but that impulse, so far at least, has not redounded to the benefit of either Mitt Romney or President Obama, according to the lates...

Read More »

After the Shooting: Words, Not Legislation

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
PEOPLE

McCain Stands up for Huma

By Matthew Cooper
Sen. John McCain took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to defend a top Hillary Clinton aide from unfounded charges of aiding radical Islamicists. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Congress's Summer of Good Feeling Is Coming to an End

By
It was a remarkable moment. Read More »

John Roberts, Moderate

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
CONGRESS

Poll: Mixed Views on Health Care, Farm Bill

By
If the Supreme Court strikes down part or all of the Affordable Care Act, a strong plurality of the public wants Congress to try again to come up with a comprehensive health care law to guarantee insurance for all Americans. Read More »

The Smart Argument For Bain That Romney Won't Use

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Will Romney Join List of Home State Presidential Losers?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Cory Booker and Torquemada

By Matthew Cooper
The Cory Booker-Bain dustup is amusing on a few levels. First, there's the much remarked upon forced confession/hostage video aspect to it. Yes, Booker has said that he clarified his remarks of his own volition, in both a video and ...

Read More »
HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Despite Gay-Marriage Controversy, Boehner Says He's Focused on Economy

By
House Speaker  John Boehner  on Thursday said he wants to keep the spotlight on the economy despite the swirling debate over gay marriage and the efforts of some Republicans to stymie the Obama administration's legalizatio...

Read More »

In Shadow of Lugar Defeat, Style Not Centrism is the Issue

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Will Romney Pick a Businessperson Instead of a Pol?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
Q&A

Snowe's Exit Interview

By
Outgoing Sen. Olympia Snowe pines for the days when Republicans worked with Democrats to achieve mutual goals. Read More »
CONGRESS

Poll Finds Public Skeptical, Leaning Slightly Democratic

By
As the presidential and congressional election season rolls on, the political landscape seems somewhat more favorable for Democrats than for Republicans, but neither party has been able to overcome the deep distrust that Americans s...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Looking Ahead, Public Sees Little Getting Done on Hill

By
The American public is so doubtful about Congress’s ability to get things done that barely one in 10 of those surveyed for the latest edition of the United Technologies/ National Journal Congressional Connection Poll believe that...

Read More »
HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Boehner Doesn’t Draw Strong Opinions, but His Ideas Do

By
More than two years into his tenure as House speaker, John Boehner faces a public that is uncertain about who he is but has strong feelings—positive and negative—toward his policy initiatives, according to the latest findings of...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Survey Reveals Nation Divided Over Energy Woes

By
Americans haven’t reached a consensus on what is causing the recent spike in energy prices or what to do about it, according to the latest edition of the United Technologies/ National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. Read More »
CONGRESS

Poll Shows Public Supports Obama on Gas Prices

By
More Americans trust President Obama than congressional Republicans to make the right decisions to bring down the price of gasoline, according to a new poll, although neither side commands a majority. Read More »

Olympia Snowe Will Not Run for Reelection

By Matthew Cooper and Sean Sullivan
The species known as the moderate Republican seemed to move one step closer to extinction on Tuesday when Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, announced that she will not run for reelection this year. Read More »
SENATE

Olympia Snowe Will Not Run for Reelection

By and Sean Sullivan
The species known as the moderate Republican seemed to move one step closer to extinction on Tuesday when Sen.  Olympia Snowe , R-Maine, announced that she will not run for reelection this year. Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Arizona Republican Debate Will Be All About Michigan and Romney

By
The Republican candidates debate yet again on Wednesday night, this time in Mesa, Ariz. But the desert showdown less than a week before the Arizona primary will be all about Michigan, which votes the same day. Read More »
HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Boehner Backs Payroll Compromise

By
House Speaker John Boehner added his endorsement to the payroll tax extension that House and Senate conferees agreed to late Wednesday night.  He lamented the measure as necessary because of what he termed the failure of Oba...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Congressional Negotiators Reach Payroll Deal

By Kelsey Snell and
Late Wednesday night, congressional negotiators reached an agreement that extended the payroll-tax holiday for millions of Americans. Read More »
CONGRESS

Payroll Deal Shows a Battle-Weary Congress

By
Americans can breathe at least a small sigh of relief now that Congress has reached a tentative deal to extend the payroll-tax holiday that has kept more money in workers' pockets.  Read More »
CONGRESS

Poll Shows Difficult Terrain for Both Parties

By
While President Obama is touting his federal budget for promoting “fairness,” the public sees the country’s economic problems in more subtle shades than the lawmakers who represent them. Read More »
HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Boehner Attacks White House on Contraception Rule

By
House Speaker  John Boehner denounced the Obama administration on Wednesday on the question of religious freedom, vowing to overturn a controversial rule for employers to provide free contraception if it's not rescinded.   Read More »
SENATE

Senate Passes STOCK Act 96-3

By
A bill to ban members of Congress from trading securities based on knowledge they obtained on the Hill sailed through the Senate as both parties showed rare unanimity.    Read More »
CONGRESS

Voters Favor Obama Ideas But Keystone, Too

By
According to a new poll, Americans overwhelmingly support the key ideas President Obama laid out in his State of the Union address last week but also favor the GOP approach to taxes and regulation and a controversial oil pipeline fr...

Read More »
SENATE

Kirk Remains in Serious Condition

By
The office of Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., tweeted this this afternoon from Kirk's doctor: Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Who Will Obama Go After in the State of the Union Address? -- VIDEO

By and Theresa Poulson
As the president prepares to take the national stage once again, who is he planning to target? Read More »
POLITICS

L.A. Mayor: The Captains of Our Democracy Have Jumped Ship

By Matthew Cooper
Decrying Washington partisanship, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa offered a stinging critique of Congress saying it was like the Italian cruise line with “millions of Americans drowning and the captain’s jumping off the s...

Read More »

South Carolina Debate: So, How Did They Do?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Gingrich-Zuckerberg '12

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Newt's Nuts, Santorum Implies

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Who's for Big Government?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

CNN Went There But The Others Didn't

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

What Newt Could/Wants To Say Tonight

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Clinton and Newt: When Old Affairs Aren't Old

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

The Brilliance of the Romney-Molinari Ad

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

The Conventional Wisdom About South Carolina is Wrong

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
HOUSING

Poll Finds Voters Want Mortgage-Interest Deduction Untouched

By
A new study shows voters overwhelmingly opposed to changes in the mortgage-interest income tax deduction — an idea that’s been widely discussed as Washington seeks to tame the national debt. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Romney, Feeling Comfortable, Shifts to Target Obama

By
Having won two presidential contests and facing a divided opposition, Mitt Romney is training his guns on President Obama. It makes perfect sense to pivot: Nothing galvanizes the Republican faithful like an attack on the 44th president. Read More »

Bain, Schmain -- A Business Background Doesn't Matter

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and "Sexual Orientation"

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Targeting Ted Kennedy's Sainthood

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Romney: Gaffe Free and Winning

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
POLITICS

Santorum Slams Obama 'Hubris' and 'Snobbery'

By
Just four days after his razor-thin loss in the Iowa caucuses, Rick Santorum promoted his plan for addressing inequality and denounced the "hubris" and "snobbery" of President Obama for what he said was the suggestion that all Ameri...

Read More »

Santorum, Darwin and Birth Control

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Santorum and Romney, Catholicism and South Carolina

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Mitt Romney's Plod to the Republican Nomination

By
It helps to be running for the second time. But Romney's caution could be his undoing. Read More »

Santorum and the Catholic-Evangelical Alliance

By Matthew Cooper
If Rick Santorum does well tonight--and all indications are that he will--it's worth remembering that it wouldn't have been possible without good relations between evangelical Protestants and conservative Catholics. It's now conside...

Read More »
SENATE

Nelson Retirement Is Bad News for Democrats

By
Now that Sen. Ben Nelson , D-Neb., has announced that he won't run next year, Democrats will have to work that much harder to preserve their 53-47 Senate majority. Read More »

How the Payroll Deal Will Affect Newt, Mitt and The Primaries

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
CONGRESS

Capital Relieved as Payroll Measure Is Enacted

By Matthew Cooper and Kelsey Snell
With Christmas approaching, the House approved a temporary extension of the payroll-tax cut, allaying fears that Congress would need to return before its holiday recess ends in mid-January.  Read More »
CONGRESS

But House GOP Congrerence Needs to Sign Off

By and Major Garrett
The showdown's over--almost. Read More »
CONGRESS

Why This Congressional Chaos Is Not About to End

By
When it comes to the end-of-session loggerheads, what's important to understand is that Congress isn't simply "dysfunctional," as it’s blithely labeled, but it's being torn by forces that are real, historic, and unlikely to aba...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Why This Chaos Isn’t About to End


By
When it comes to the end-of-session loggerheads, what’s important to
 understand is that Congress isn’t simply “dysfunctional,” as it’s
 blithely labeled, but it’s being torn by forces that are real, 
historic, and...

Read More »

The Congress Mess and the Presidential

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

The Graying of the President: Newt Would Be as Old as Reagan

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Newt's Been Lutheran, Baptist, and Catholic. Is that flip flopping?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Barack Obama as Incredible Hulk

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Newt's Tough on Iran, Syria. How's That Gonna Work?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Time for a Huntsman Surge? Santorum? Someone Else?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
ANALYSIS

Super Committee Goes Out With No Bang, Not Even a Whimper

By
The super committee goes out not with a bang—or a whimper, either—but, at best, with a sheepish, off-camera press release. Read More »

Why Freddie Mac Could Hurt Newt

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Another President, Another Assassination Attempt

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

How Could Rick Perry Get Rid of the Commerce Department?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

Romney, Hoover, Cain and Other Business Presidents

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
CONGRESS

Public Split on Parties’ Super Committee Ideas

By
With the super committee scheduled to report its findings to Congress in just two weeks, a new survey finds that slightly more Americans favor a Democratic proposal to pare the deficit with cuts and revenue increases on the wealthy ...

Read More »

Crushing Greek Democracy, Crushing Ours

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Clinton, Thomas, Packwood, Weiner--Cain?

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

One Last Word on That Cain Ad

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »

A Mormon-Catholic Ticket Would be Groundbreaking and Typically American

By Matthew Cooper
Read More »
CONGRESS

Occupy D.C.? Most Back Protests, Surtax

By
At a time when protests have erupted across the country over a growing inequality of wealth and Congress is considering measures to impose a surtax on those earning more than $1 million annually, the public seems to be in a populist...

Read More »
CONGRESS

In Both Parties, a Schism on Trade

By
In the wake of congressional passage of three long-delayed free-trade deals, voters are divided over those agreements, and they are also at odds over a measure designed to change China’s currency policies, according to a new survey. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Obama's Big Sigh

By
President Obama is not only done with the optimistic talk, he’s got a bit of a hangdog aura about him, at least at Thursday’s press conference. Read More »
CONGRESS

Bachmann Finds Support for Position on HPV Injections

By
Rep. Michele Bachmann , R-Minn., would have wide support for her position denouncing a onetime Texas requirement that girls entering the sixth grade be inoculated against a virus that can cause cervical cancer in women. Read More »
CONGRESS

A Divided Electorate Poses Challenges for Congress

By
As Congress grapples with the federal budget deficit, voters are divided along familiar lines of income, education, and race—posing challenges for both political parties as they try to assemble a coalition to support their cost-cu...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Voters Favor Balance in Cutting Deficit

By
As President Obama challenged congressional Republicans with his new deficit plan on Monday, voters are rejecting the idea of reducing the nation’s debt through spending cuts alone—but there is no clear-cut enthusiasm for any sp...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Public Doubts Washington Can Get Things Done

By
Now that the debt crisis has been resolved—at least for a while—how is Congress doing in the eyes of the American people? What does survey research suggest about the public’s mood heading into the fall when lawmakers will once...

Read More »
CONGRESS

Amidst Debt Fight, Discontent With Congress

By
Amidst a tumultuous fight over raising the debt ceiling, Americans are deeply dissatisfied with Washington and eager to elect fresh faces to Congress, raising warning flags for Democrats and Republicans alike. The poll showed discon...

Read More »
BUDGET

On Debt, When Will Pong End?

By
Now what?   Read More »
CONGRESS

Beneath Clash Over Debt, a Divided Public

By
As Republicans and Democrats scuffle over how best to raise the federal government’s debt ceiling by next Tuesday, a new survey suggests that Republicans might be more politically constrained and may find it harder to reach an acc...

Read More »
BUDGET

The Key to Winning the Debt Debate is Having the Right Narrative

By
The debt-ceiling crisis is likely to follow a familiar rhythm this week. There will be publicly announced meetings to forge a solution, and there will be furtive ones where the real work gets done. There will be new plans put on the...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Comes Close to Endorsing Gay Marriage

By
Declaring that gays deserve to be "treated like all Americans," President Obama stopped just short of endorsing gay marriage at a wide-ranging press conference on Wednesday. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

No Progress as House Republicans Meet With Obama at White House

By and
With time running out before the U.S. defaults on its debts, President Obama met with the House Republican Conference on Wednesday, and as GOP members emerged from the session they described talks that were modestly cordial and, ...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Nominates John Bryson as Commerce Secretary

By
President Obama nominated a noted utility executive, John Bryson, to be the next Commerce secretary on Tuesday, noting his "decades of experience" promoting clean energy, but Republican senators have vowed to block the nomination...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Deep Divisions Evident in Obama-Netanyahu Meeting

By and
President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated their mutual desire for peace in Israel during a meeting on Friday, but Netanyahu continued to reject the president's push for negotiating using Israel's 1967 ...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Urges Israel and Palestinians to Negotiate on Basis of 1967 Borders

By Aamer Madhani and
Weighing in on the deadlock in Israeli-Palestinian efforts to forge a peace deal, President Obama urged both sides to negotiate on the basis of Israel's borders before the 1967 Six-Day War, albeit with "mutually agreed" swaps of land. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Will Ask Congress to Extend Mueller's Term by Two Years

By
The president will ask Congress to allow FBI Director Robert Mueller to serve two more years. His 10-year term would otherwise end in September. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Promoting Immigration Reform, Obama Addresses Hispanic Prayer Breakfast

By
Continuing his high-profile campaign for immigration reform, the president addressed the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, telling the audience: "What we can do together is make comprehensive immigration reform the law...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Thanks Troops Involved in bin Laden Raid

By
Just five days after he disclosed a daring raid that led to Osama bin Laden's death and the day after he laid a wreath at Ground Zero, President Obama traveled to Fort Campbell in Kentucky where he thanked members of Seal Team ...

Read More »
ANALYSIS

Why Obama Nixed the Photo Release

By Marc Ambinder and
The operation to get Osama bin Laden was meticulously planned and carefully thought through, including the decision to bury the terrorist leader's body at sea—a move that would deny the Saudi a grave and, potentially, a shrine.&n...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

After Historic Manhunt, bin Laden Is Dead, Obama Declares

By and
President Obama told the nation on Sunday night that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is dead.  Read More »

Obama to Travel to Alabama on Friday to Inspect Tornado Damage

By
After a destructive wave of tornadoes left more than 200 dead, President Obama will travel to Alabama on Friday to inspect the damage and meet with officials coping with the disaster.  Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Names Panetta to Defense, Petraeus to CIA

By
In a White House ceremony on Thursday, President Obama officially named Leon Panetta as the next Defense secretary and Gen. David Petraeus as the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Reaffirms Citizenship as White House Releases Long-Form Birth Certificate

By Katy O'Donnell and
The White House on Wednesday posted what it said was President Obama's original birth certificate, seeking to dispel rumors over the president's country of birth. Read More »
VANTAGE POINT

Here’s to Flip-Flops

By
Changing your mind isn’t always a sign of weakness. It can be a sign of growth. Read More »
CAMPAIGN 2012

Obama Defends Deficit Plan at Chicago Fundraiser

By
President Obama kicked off his 2012 campaign in his hometown of Chicago and used the occasion to tout his plan to cut the deficit. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Unveils Deficit Reduction Framework

By
As Washington feverishly debates ways to reduce the nation’s mounting debt, President Obama weighed in on Wednesday with his most detailed plan yet, one which vows to cut $4 trillion in federal spending over 12 years. Read More »
BUDGET

Obama Looks to Reframe Debate With Speech

By
When President Obama steps to the microphone this afternoon, he’ll be joining the battle over long-term deficit reduction—a move that comes replete with risks and opportunities. Read More »
MEDIA

Ten People Who Could Follow Katie Couric

By
Amidst all the speculation that Katie Couric will leave the anchor chair at the CBS Evening News later this spring, here’s a look at 10 who could fill the chair. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Hails Budget Deal

By Matthew Cooper
Less than an hour before the federal government was scheduled to shut down, President Obama went to the briefing room of the White House to hail the deal that had been struck between the White House and congressional leaders. “...

Read More »
ANALYSIS

The Budget Skirmish Ends. The War Begins

By
The end is in sight. Or is it? Read More »
ANALYSIS

A Blow to Boehner, Obama, and Us

By
Barack Obama and John Boehner took their offices with the promise of reconciliation and productivity. Instead, the government of the most powerful nation on earth is about to run out of money and shut down, putting thousands out of ...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

With Budget, Obama Denounces 'Washington Politics'

By
With the federal government just days away from shutting down, President Obama warned congressional negotiators to “act like adults,” and declared “I do not want to see Washington politics stand in the way of America’s pr...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Defends Libya Policy in TV Interviews

By
One day after his evening address to the nation about U.S. policy in Libya, President Obama sat for three television interviews to elaborate on what he sees as America's interests and goals in the turbulent Middle East. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Declares Libyan Action in National Interest

By
Making the case that American military force staved off a humanitarian disaster in Libya, President Obama took to the airwaves on Monday night and declared that “it was not in our national interest to let that happen. I refused to...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama: No Radiation Risk to America

By
Speaking less than a week after a 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami devastated northeastern Japan and provoked a nuclear crisis, President Obama sought to reassure Americans about their own safety on Thursday. "I want to ...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Pledges Support for Japan

By
President Obama told an audience in Arlington, Va., on Monday that “the United States will continue to offer any assistance we can as Japan recovers from multiple disasters.” Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama 'Concerned Absolutely' that Qaddafi Might Prevail in Libya

By and Marc Ambinder
President Obama says the U.S. and its allies will continue to seek options to push the dictator from power.  Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Names Facebook's Sandberg, Amex's Chenault to Jobs Panel

By
President Obama adds a slew of well-known business names to his jobs advisory panel, including American Express CEO Ken Chenault, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and legendary Silicon Valley venture capitalist John Doerr. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Why Obama and the Unions Fight in Wisconsin

By
The standoff between public employees in Wisconsin and the state’s new Republican governor has drawn President Obama into the fray and marks an important turning point in the more  century-plus story of organized labor in America. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Salutes 'Courage' of Iranian Protesters

By
President Obama took questions from reporters this morning and encouraged the people of Iran to continue their quest for human rights while acknowledging the limits of American influence. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama: 'Not the end of Egypt's transition. It's the beginning.'

By and Aamer Madhani
As Egyptians celebrated the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, President Obama stepped to the microphones on Friday to delcare that "This is not the end of Egypt's transition. It's the beginning." Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama on Egypt: 'We Are Witnessing History Unfold'

By
Reacting to events in Egypt, President Obama says "we are witnessing history unfold." Declaring that he would have more to say at another time, Obama said America will do all it can "to support an orderly transition to democracy." Read More »
ANALYSIS

Is Energy Cut Obama's Welfare Reform or Fireman First?

By
When National Journal first reported that President Obama's budget will cut a popular home heating-assistance program for the poor, it got Democrats furious and pundits wondering. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Condemns Egyptian Violence

By
As thousands of protesters remain in the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian cities demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, President Obama spoke out on the situation today, declaring that he will "continue to be ...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

'Begin Now,' Obama Tells Mubarak

By and Marc Ambinder
President Obama urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to speed up his “orderly transition” from power, urging the leader of the world’s largest Arab country to “begin now” the process by which he relinquishes power a...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama on Egypt: An 'Orderly Transition... Must Begin Now'

By
With Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak announcing that he would not seek another term in office, President Obama stepped in front of the microphones on Tuesday to declare: "[An] orderly transition must be meaningful. It must be ...

Read More »
VANTAGE POINT

Bronze Mettle: A Tour of D.C.’s Public Art

By
A tour of D.C.’s public art. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama to Call for Bipartisanship, Will Tout Economic Agenda

By
Calling for bipartisanship and promoting an economic plan for the next two years of his administration, President Obama will declare "the future is ours to win" in his State of the Union address later tonight.  Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Two Presidents, Four Secretaries of State Top Hu State Dinner List

By
The state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao is a huge affair, so big that it expanded beyond the State Dining Room into the Blue and Red rooms on the first floor of the White House.  Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

In Press Conference, Hu and Obama Tout Progress

By
Declaring that "China's peaceful rise is good for the world and good for America," President Obama joined Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao this afternoon for a joint press conference that touched on a wide variety of issues, including...

Read More »
NEED-TO-KNOW VIDEO

Video: Can the White House Turn Renewed Health Care Debate into a Win?

By
As Republicans begin their efforts to dismantle President Obama's health care reform law, the White House is holding its ground. But can the administration make this a win? Managing Editor Matthew Cooper discusses. Read More »
NEED-TO-KNOW VIDEO

N2K: The White House Playbook for HCR Repeal

As Republicans begin their efforts to dismantle President Obama's health care reform law, the White House is holding its ground. But can the administration make this a win? Managing Editor Matthew Cooper discusses. Read More »

At Holbrooke Memorial, Obama Praises Diplomat for 'Bringing Peace to the Balkans'

By
President Obama led thousands of mourners at a memorial service for Richard Holbrooke in Washington, D.C. this afternoon. The president hailed Holbrooke for "speaking truth to power" and "bringing peace to the Balkans." Among tho...

Read More »
ANALYSIS

Palin Knew What She Was Saying

By
Palin's controversial "blood libel" comment was likely used to fire up pro-Israel evangelicals, but it may have done her more harm than good. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Faces Challenge, Opportunity With Tucson Address

By
On Wednesday night, when President Obama addresses what is sure to be a packed crowd at the McKale Memorial Center at the University of Arizona, his words will reverberate not only in grieving Tucson but across the country. Read More »
ANALYSIS

With Giffords Shooting, A Grim Milestone

By
The shooting of Gabrielle Giffords raises any number of questions: What is happening to our country? What has happened to our politics? Who would do such a thing? Read More »
NEED-TO-KNOW VIDEO

Video: Help Wanted, Chief of Staff With Washington Connections

By Matthew Cooper
The administration is shopping around for a new chief of staff. What qualities should Obama seek -- and avoid -- in his ambassador to Washington? White House managing editor Matthew Cooper offers his insight. Read More »

N2K: Help Wanted. Seeking CoS With the Following Skills...

The administration is shopping around for a new chief of staff. What qualities should Obama seek -- and avoid -- in his ambassador to Washington? White House managing editor Matthew Cooper offers his insight. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama's Former 'Car Czar' Settles with N.Y. State

By Aamer Madhani
Steven Rattner, the White House’s former car czar, has agreed to pay $10 million in restitution to resolve allegations that he took part in a kickback scheme to win business with New York’s pension system. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Hailing a 'Season of Progress,' Obama Pledges More Cooperation

By
Hailing a “season of progress,” in which a lame-duck Congress passed a nuclear arms treaty, extended Bush-era tax cuts, and allowed gays to serve openly in the military, President Obama used his year-end press conference to say ...

Read More »
ANALYSIS

Was It 'That Bad'? Barbour's Remarks Took Aim at Civil-Rights Consensus

By
For more than 40 years there’s been a consensus in American political life: The segregated South was a deeply unfair place. The fight for civil rights was contentious and necessary. The laws that guaranteed civil rights are among ...

Read More »
ANALYSIS

With Repeal, Gays Join a Long Gray Line of Americans

By
Congress' repeal of the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" rule is a triumphant step for America's gays, but it's not the first time we've seen the military used as a springboard for expanded rights. During the Civil War, African A...

Read More »
VANTAGE POINT

One Man’s Movable Feast and What It Says About Washington

By
Our psyches, our restaurants. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Summers: Killing Tax Deal Could Cause Double Dip Recession

By and
A top economic adviser to President Obama warns that failure to ratify the tax compromise forged with congressional Republicans could cause a double-dip recession.  Read More »
ANALYSIS

Lecturing Liberals, Obama Emotionally Defends Deal

By
Defending the tax deal that he reached with congressional Republicans, President Obama aggressively made the case for why his party should support the compromise. Read More »
ANALYSIS

After Autumn of Discontent, A Hopeful Winter for Obama?

By
Deals on START, gays in the military, and a tax cut compromise could give the president a lift. Read More »
ANALYSIS

As Tax Cut Theater Continues, A Deal Looms

By
Talk about procrastination. For 10 years, Washington has known that the Bush tax cuts were due to expire. After all, when Congress passed the cuts in income tax rates back in 2001 they built in an expiration date as part of a c...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Obama Arrives in Afghanistan

By and
President Obama arrived in Afghanistan on Friday, making a surprise visit to the war-torn country where he has bolstered U.S. forces fighting a nine-year war with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Read More »
ANALYSIS

As Washington Dithers, Unemployment Stalls

By
Food safety and budget-cutting commissions aren't going to add jobs anytime soon. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Republicans, Obama Hail Bipartisan Meeting

By and
As another era of divided government looms over Washington, President Obama and congressional leaders met at the White House today for a much-publicized meeting aimed at finding common ground and each side hailed the discussion. Read More »
ANALYSIS

When it Comes to North Korea, Obama Is as Hamstrung as His Predecessors

By
Tensions on the Korean peninsula have bedeviled 12 presidents, and the latest is no exception. Read More »
FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Obama Administration Responds to North Korean Attack

By and
Even though the shooting's stopped, the administration has to figure out how to contain an aggressive, opaque regime that's committed to expanding its nuclear weapons program Read More »
ANALYSIS

From the Tea Party to TSA, Cries for Government Yield Backlash

By
It's hard to believe that just nine years ago, it seemed that everyone wanted the government to take over airport passenger screening.  Read More »
ANALYSIS

Nuclear Treaty Blow Has Political Fallout, Too

By
The announcement by a prominent Republican senator that he would oppose President Obama’s nuclear-arms treaty is a huge blow to a beleaguered White House as well as to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretar...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Inouye Is First Asian-American High In Line of Succession

By
The ascension of Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, to the position of president pro tempore of the Senate makes him third in line of succession to the president and the first Asian-American to be this close to the Oval Office.  Read More »
FROM THE ARCHIVESS

The New Power Players: Robert Bauer

By
In recent years, investigations have invariably followed when one party takes over a legislative chamber and the other party occupies the White House. That’s sure to happen to the Obama White House, too, although the intensi...

Read More »
COVER STORY

The New Power Players

By , Major Garrett, Meghan McCarthy, Dan Friedman, Billy House, Mike Magner, , , , , , Megan Scully, Chris Strohm, Susan Davis, Aamer Madhani, , Ben Terris and Matthew DoBias
They’re members of Congress, Hill aides, policy wonks, and lobbyists. They’re the same people they were before November 2, but the election makes them more important. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Bush Tax Cuts Likely to Stay in Place Despite the Spitballs

By Aamer Madhani and
Once the White House and Republicans stops firing spitballs at each other in the ongoing debate on extending the Bush tax cuts, the two sides will inevitably hammer out a deal. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Obama's Asia Trip Shows Hope's Limits

By
It’s hard to remember but there was a time when it was assumed, naively and perhaps unfairly, that Barack Obama’s mere presence would charm the world. Read More »
ANALYSIS

A Delicate Dance as Republicans, President Balance Confrontation, Cooperation

By
Updated at 4:55 p.m. on November 4. Read More »
ANALYSIS

Obama: 'Responsibility' -- But Not Quite an Apology

By
Obama says it's difficult to stay connected with the American people while in the White House. Referring to his midterm "shellacking" the president says "I'm sure there are easier ways to learn those lessons." Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Republican House, Senate Gains Pose Peril and Opportunity for Obama

By
When he faces reporters today, President Obama will face the daunting challenge of wrestling with a more hostile and Republican Congress as he tries to enact his agenda and win reelection in just two years.  Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Suspicious Packages Pose Dilemma For Obama Before Election Day

By
Just four days before midterm elections, President Obama went before the nation to address fears of suspicious packages that led to an investigation on three continents. He called the packages a “credible threat” that contained ...

Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Both Presidents Bush to Throw Out First Pitch at Sunday's World Series Game

By
Two former presidents named George Bush will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the fourth game of the World Series on Sunday night.  Read More »
VANTAGE POINT

The Celluloid Capital

By
Hollywood rarely gets Washington right, but Fair Game nails it by telling the CIA leak story through the prism of family life. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

With Jon Stewart, President Pauses To Be Serious

By
With the electorate likely just a few days away from sending a vastly more Republican and hostile Congress his way, President Obama went on 'The Daily Show' to defend his record and, hopefully, recapture some of the magic of his 200...

Read More »
ELECTIONS

Obama, McConnell Call For Humility After The Election

By Matthew Cooper
Barack Obama and Mitch McConnell rarely agree but this week, in separate interviews, both the president and the Senate majority leader called for humility as the two parties prepare for the election and its aftermath. Read More »
WHITE HOUSE

Emanuel To Leave For Chicago Race

By Matthew Cooper
After much speculation, Rahm Emanuel will announce tomorrow that he is leaving his post as President Obama 's first chief of staff, National Journal has confirmed. Read More »
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