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One of the More Probable Ideas on ABC's 'Scandal': Politically Surviving a Sex Scandal

Elahe Izadi | May 10, 2013

When political realities are stranger than fictional television.

Obama and O'Brien Cast Their Versions of D.C. White House Correspondents' Dinner

Esther Zuckerman - The Atlantic Wire | April 27, 2013

Both President Barack Obama and Conan O'Brien decided to cast Hollywood versions of D.C. at the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year. Obama's version was directed by Steven Spielberg, O'Brien's starred "Tan Mom" as John Boehner.

Don't Call the White House Correspondents' Dinner 'Nerd Prom'

Philip Bump - The Atlantic Wire | April 26, 2013

On Saturday night, Washington's media elite and the government they cover will sit down together for a meal, lots of drinks, and a few tame jokes. The annual event is formally known as the White House Correspondents' Dinner but over the last four years it has informally become "nerd prom." This is not accurate on either count: The Correspondents' Dinner is not a prom; its attendees are not nerds.

Will George W. Bush Ever Get Historians on His Side?

Jill Lawrence | April 24, 2013

Truman and Eisenhower won belated respect, but they didn't have an Iraq problem.

Go Ahead, Admit It: George W. Bush Is a Good Man

Ron Fournier | April 22, 2013

In the rush to mythologize and demonize our presidents, we forget they're human.

NRCC Drops Mark Sanford Following Trespassing Charges

Sarah Mimms | April 17, 2013

The National Republican Congressional Committee has pulled its support for former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's congressional campaign, acknowledging that revelations that he trespassed on his ex-wife's property in February could cost the party a House seat in a district that former Massachuset...

George W. Bush Underwent Back Surgery, Spent January Recuperating

Tom DeFrank | April 11, 2013

43rd president now in good health as he prepares for library dedication.

Play of the Day: Obama's Scale of Hot Public Servants

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | April 8, 2013

Fast forward to 3:40 to see Letterman lament Bush’s reading abilities.

What Margaret Thatcher Can Teach Hillary Clinton

Michael Hirsh | April 8, 2013

Despite vastly different political philosophies, the two women share a lot in common.

Offended by Obama's 'Best-Looking Attorney General' Gaffe? Well, Looks Still Matter in Politics

Elahe Izadi | April 5, 2013

Research shows attractive candidates receive more support.

Has Obama Done Enough for Black Americans?

George E. Condon Jr. and Jim O’Sullivan | April 4, 2013

For many, this is still a land of unequal opportunity. A history-making president may not be enough.

Play of the Day: Remember George W. Bush?

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | April 4, 2013

Fast forward to 3:40 to see Letterman challenge Kim on camera.

George W. Bush Hopes New Library Will Enhance Presidential Legacy

Tom DeFrank | March 28, 2013

A pregnant Jenna Bush may not attend next month's dedication, but a healthier George H.W. Bush will be there.

Organic-Food Champion’s Departure From USDA Sows Seeds of Concern

Jerry Hagstrom | March 20, 2013

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan’s upcoming departure has raised a lot of questions about the Obama administration’s commitment to organic and local food production, but she said in an exclusive interview Wednesday that it will have almost four more years to institutionalize the changes she has made at the department.

6 Reasons for Hillary Clinton's Gay-Marriage Move

Jill Lawrence | March 18, 2013

Hint: None of them have to do with a potential presidential campaign.

5 Ways Reince Priebus Is Channeling George W. Bush and Bill Clinton

Ron Fournier | March 18, 2013

The RNC report is an important blueprint for the GOP’s 2016 presidential nominee, one who has enough guts, skills, and imagination to create a 21st-century Republican Party.

Steve King at CPAC: Happy Conservative Warrior

Alex Brown | March 16, 2013

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- One day after Jeb Bush's plea for a big-tent Republican Party, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, used his CPAC speech to encourage a renewed emphasis on the very social arguments that threaten to splinter the conservative movement. As Republicans debate his general election viability...

The Weird Time Warp of the George W. Bush White House Website

Brian Resnick | March 15, 2013

Step back in time to a era where the Affordable Care Act was a laughable dream, when No Child Left behind was touted by the White House, when Barack Obama was not president of the United States.

New Pope Draws Praise and Prayers From Washington

Mike Magner and Christopher Snow Hopkins | March 13, 2013

President Obama wrapped up a rare meeting with House Republicans on Wednesday afternoon by giving his adversaries a piece of news. “I made the announcement that we saw smoke,” the president told reporters as he left the Capitol shortly after 3 p.m.

Why Politicians Need to Beware of the Meme

Elahe Izadi | March 12, 2013

In this rapid online environment, attention spans are short. Push jokes too often and you run the risk of looking lame.

Might Texas Turn Blue? A Q&A With San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro

Jody Brannon and Doris Nhan | March 8, 2013

Mayor Julian Castro addresses key questions about an economic turnaround for San Antonio, Texas’ second-largest city, and other emerging political changes amid statewide demographic shifts.

Mr. Obama Goes to Israel (In the Spring)

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | March 6, 2013

Fast forward to 2:50 to see Colbert relate food to Obama’s Israel trip.

A Bitterly Divided Congress (video)

National Journal Staff | February 21, 2013

In this week's cover story, National Journal's Alex Roarty discusses NJ's new annual vote rankings for members of Congress, from most conservative to most liberal.

Who Are the Most Liberal Representatives in Congress?

February 19, 2013

Fourteen House members are tied for the most left-leaning legislator, according to National Journal's 2012 vote ratings.

A Look at Homicide Statistics in Obama’s Hometown of Chicago in 3 Charts

Matt Vasilogambros | February 15, 2013

President Obama traveled back on Friday to Chicago, his hometown and a city where gun violence and a jump in the number of homicides has received national attention. In 2012, there were 506 homicides in the Windy City, a sharp rise from the 435 recorded in 2011. Chicago has a population that is only about a third the size of New York City, yet the number of homicides there is fast approaching that of the Big Apple.

The Valerie Jarrett Moment

Jim O’Sullivan | February 14, 2013

As other inner-circle players move on, this longtime friend of the Obamas is poised to gain even more influence in the White House.

Live Blogging the State of the Union Address

Niraj Chokshi and Brian Fung | February 12, 2013

10:40.Florida Senator Marco Rubio takes a break from delivering the Republican response to take a drink of water… 10:38. Rubio said that the economy shrank during the last three months of 2012. And, according to the government’s first read, it did. But first reads are almost always revised, a...

A Look at Who's Sitting With the First Lady Tonight

Matt Vasilogambros | February 12, 2013

Here's Michelle Obama’s guest list for the State of the Union, broken down by the issues the attendees represent.

Here's Who You Think Should Sit With the First Lady for Obama's Speech

Matt Vasilogambros | February 11, 2013

We asked National Journal readers who they thought would get the coveted invite to the State of the Union address this year. Here are their suggestions.

What's a Skutnik and Why Is One Sitting Next to Michelle Obama at the State of the Union?

Brian Resnick | February 11, 2013

To the cynical, they’re stagecraft. To presidents, they’re the State of the Union Incarnate.

Bush's Paintings and the Art of Projecting Guilt

Jill Lawrence | February 8, 2013

Bush's art reveals a man we didn't know, and one reviewers speculate is trying for absolution through painting.

The Des Moines Register Steps All Over Braley's Announcement

Steven Shepard | February 8, 2013

The Des Moines Register didn't do Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley any favors on Friday. The day after Braley announced his intention to run for the Senate seat belonging to retiring Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, the front page of the Register is touting a poll showing that former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat currently serving in the Obama administration as Agriculture secretary, is seen as the most appealing candidate in a new poll conducted for the newspaper.

Who Will Get the Coveted Seats in Michelle Obama's Box at the State of the Union?

Matt Vasilogambros | February 7, 2013

National Journal is asking for your help in guessing which guests will be invited to sit in the first lady's box for President Obama's State of the Union speech.

Tracking the Ups and Downs of Hillary Clinton's 2 Decades in the Public Eye

Brian Resnick and Ben Terris | February 1, 2013

A timeline of the outgoing Secretary's public opinion polling

Hillary Clinton: 2 Decades in the Spotlight (Photos)

National Journal Staff | January 31, 2013

The GOP's Latest Challenge: Stopping the Next Todd Akin

Josh Kraushaar | January 30, 2013

A slew of gaffe-prone Republican candidates are already emerging to run for the Senate, and could cost the party their shot at a majority again. What can the GOP do?

Why Obama Thanked Hillary

Michael Hirsh | January 28, 2013

The president's former political rival journeyed a long, hard road to loyalty.

Don't Bet Against Hillary Clinton in 2016

Ron Fournier | January 28, 2013

Those closest to the secretary of state say Clinton honestly doesn't know whether she will seek the presidency. They also wouldn't bet against it.

Obama, Clinton End Marriage of Convenience with '60 Minutes' Lovefest

Ron Fournier | January 27, 2013

Obama dismissed "incorrigable' chatter about 2016 but fuels Clinton-Biden speculation with TV chat.

On White House Staff, Obama Chooses Loyalty Over Change

George E. Condon Jr. | January 25, 2013

In turning to “one of my closest friends” for his next White House chief of staff and in naming more members of his White House team who are known quantities, President Obama showed Friday that he has, as he recently claimed, indeed studied the literature of second-term presidencies.

Colbert: Finally, French 'Truffle Huffing Surrender Monkeys' Step Up in War on Terrorism

Cory Bennett | January 25, 2013

After mulling over Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's testimony for a day, the late-night show hosts all weighed in. Jon Stewart mocked the Republicans for grandstanding and the Democrats for "ass kissery." He suggested that when Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., asked Clinton, "What does th...

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

Matthew Cooper | January 22, 2013

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

The Inaugural Balls: Red Carpets and Black Limos (Photos)

January 21, 2013

Want a 300-lb. Piece of Romney Memorabilia? It's Free, But You'll Have to Haul It.

Brian Resnick | January 7, 2013

What can you do with a 300-pound steel slab, formed in the shaped of Iowa, and emblazoned with Mitt Romney's "Believe in America" memo?

Forget the Veto: How Obama Objects to Parts of a Law

Matt Vasilogambros | January 4, 2013

President Obama signed a defense bill into law this week, but not without a few objections.

In the Hospital with a Blood Clot, Hillary Clinton Is Not In Good Health

Adam Clark Estes - The Atlantic Wire | December 31, 2012

Secretary of State and wouldn't be New York City mayor Hillary Clinton is back in the hospital, after doctors discovered a blood clot related to the concussion she suffered earlier this month. Clinton was admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday night, so that her treatment team could monitor how she handles the anti-coagulant medication that's been prescribed to deal with the clot. (Read the State Department's full statement on her condition here.)

Hot Ticket

Michelle Bloom | April 10, 2011

Foodies—brace yourselves. On Tuesday, the annual Embassy Chef Challenge brings together cuisines from around the world into one hunger-satisfying tasting sure to make your stomach happy.

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