NJ Topics Jurisdiction

National Journal Coverage
Gabriel Gomez

Obama's Troubles Could Put Massachusetts Senate Seat In Play -- Again

In 2010, Republicans won a special election during a low point of Obama's presidency. Will it happen again?
Jay Dardenne

Dardenne Kicks Off Fundraising Tour

Don't think it's a done deal that Sen. David Vitter will be Louisiana's next governor; he still has to get through Lieutenant Gov. Jay Dardenne. And Dardenne is making moves to show he's ready for a fight. Dardenne is crisscrossing the state raising money for a likely gubernatorial bid, according t...
Ed Markey Ad

Watch the First Campaign Ad to Invoke the Newtown Shootings

Locked in a close Massachusetts Senate race, Ed Markey goes negative against Gabriel Gomez.
Watergate Committee hearings

Watergate: When Congress Worked

The back-stabbing, press-leaking, hyper-partisan members of the committee investigating Nixon, which began hearings 40 years ago, still made history. Here’s how. 

Poll: How Damaging Is the IRS Controversy to Obama?

Most Republicans and half of Democrats say the issue will haunt the president.

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

Says one Republican, "The 3 a.m. call came, and she was sleeping. Not a stellar example of leadership."

Gabriel Gomez Launches His First General Election TV Ad in Mass. Special

Former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez on Friday will launch his first television ad of the general election, emphasizing his military background. "I had a calling from an early age to serve my family's adopted country," Gomez says in the spot after introducing himself in Spanish. The ad does not mention...

Local Democrats Breaking With Party To Endorse Chris Christie

Trailing badly in the polls, New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono, the likely Democratic nominee for governor in the fall, is doing her best to link Gov. Chris Christie to the national GOP. “I didn’t think the Republicans could find anybody that was as out of touch with middle class values as, yo...
Gina McCarthy

Senate Committee Approves Gina McCarthy EPA Nomination Along Party Lines

Senate Republicans on Thursday eased their opposition to the nomination of Gina McCarthy, President Obama’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency—but her confirmation by the full Senate is not yet assured.
Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli

Poll: McAuliffe Holds Slight Lead in Va. Gov. Race

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe has taken a slight lead over Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in Virginia's gubernatorial race, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released on Thursday morning. McAuliffe leads Cuccinelli, 43 percent to 38 percent, with 17 perce...
Obama Holder

Scandals Tailor-Made For GOP Base

George W. Bush lost control of Congress when voters lost trust of his ability to manage government. Obama faces the same threat in 2014.
Obama announcement on IRS

You Want Angry? I'll Show You Angry, Obama Says on IRS Scandal

Facing criticism from Republicans, the president reasserts his authority by pushing out the IRS's acting commissioner.
Schatz

For Abercrombie, Senate Primary Is a Chance to Make His Mark

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, may not be running for governor of her state, but she's still running against Gov. Neil Abercrombie as she gears up for a 2014 Senate primary. Nothing official has been worked out yet, but Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz will be able to count on strong support from th...
food truck

How Can Conservatives Win Over Young Voters? Go For Their Guts.

It's a lot easier to get young voters to care about government overreach if you're talking about food trucks.
Mike Rounds

South Dakota Dems Lose Top Recruits

In less than a week's time, Democrats in South Dakota went from debating which of their top-tier candidates would run for retiring Sen. Tim Johnson's seat to wondering whether they'll be competitive at all. National Democrats long saw former Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin as their strongest possibl...
Gabriel Gomez

In Massachusetts, Gomez Internal Poll Shows Close Race

Democratic Rep. Ed Markey holds only a narrow advantage against Republican Gabriel Gomez in the special election for Senate in Massachusetts, according to an internal poll from the GOP candidate’s campaign, the latest sign the blue state race will be more competitive than Democrats expected.
Business Education

House to Tackle Student-Loan Rates

House Republicans are preparing to pass legislation that would remedy, once and for all, the looming problem of student-loan interest rates.
Jennifer Cox

5 Staffers to Watch Among House Freshmen

Running an office of a freshman member of Congress is never easy, but certain lawmakers and their top aides have especially unique challenges. Meet the chiefs of staffs of five House members whose election to Congress is somehow notable or newsworthy.
Peter Wehner, Yuval Levin, and James Capretta

Some Republicans Don’t Believe Austerity Is Enough

Strategists and wonks are urging House leaders to refocus their economic message on ideas that the middle class actually care about. 
Chris Christie

The Coming GOP Civil War Over Climate Change

Science, storms, and demographics are starting to change minds among the rank and file. 
Mark Sanford

If Democrats Can’t Beat a Confessed Adulterer, What Chance Do They Have?

Mark Sanford’s win in South Carolina shows how difficult it will be for liberals to reclaim control of the House. 
Barack Obama,  Laura Chinchilla

Why Mexico Will Always Play Second Fiddle

Like all presidents, Barack Obama says he wants a better relationship with his neighbors to the south. Then events get in the way. 
Illegal Immigrants

Poll: Will the Senate Immigration Bill Get 70 Votes?

Republicans say it won't, while Democrats are more divided.

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

Democrats look to Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.
Gang of 8

Can Bipartisan Cooperation Save Us From Stalemate?

Polarization and the breakdown of the committee system have helped spawn the “Gang of Eight” and its cousins.
dollar bill

Heading Off the Coming Retirement Disaster

Half of Californians are on track to retire in or near poverty. The state's new retirement plan model could change that.
Obama and Clinton

Why Benghazi is a Blow to Obama and Clinton

Both parties are wrong about the scandal: It’s not Watergate and it’s not nothing.
*TEST*

Inside The American Crossroads And Koch Post-Mortems

Conservatives identify what went wrong in 2012 -- and how to fix their problems.
John Barrow

Senate Democrats Starting On The Defensive

Facing a difficult landscape in 2014, Democrats having trouble recruiting for Republican-held seats.
Obama

The Diminishing Returns of Big-Data Campaigning

What if we were all wrong about the Obama campaign’s vaunted technological advantage?
Terry McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe's Woman Problem

If McAuliffe can't change his image as a Mad Men-era spouse, he will have to hope people go for policy over personality. Just like they did in South Carolina.
John Kerry in Russia

Mitt Romney Was Right: Russia Is Our Biggest Geopolitical Foe

Obama meets with South Korea’s president, but it’s Kerry’s sit-down with Putin that matters.   
Hillary Clinton

Play of the Day: A Look at 2016

Fast forward to 3:10 to see Fallon compare the two on important issues.
White House

Weighty Politics: Why Haven't We Seen Heavier Presidents?

Chris Christie said his weight-loss surgery was for personal reasons, not politics. But overweight politicians haven't made it to the White House for a long time. 
Guns

The Most Bogus Argument Against New Gun Laws

As Congress prepares for a possible round two on guns, it's time to retire a talking point that misses the point.
Keystone Pipeline

What People Close to Obama Think About the Keystone XL Pipeline

To environmentalists throughout the country, denying the Keystone XL oil pipeline would be the most important sign President Obama is committed to combating global warming.
Rep. Steve King

Steve King Won't Run for Senate, Leaving Iowa Republicans Empty-Handed

Iowa Rep. Steve King won't be running for Senate, he announced in a tweet Friday night. The conservative firebrand had frozen the GOP field, as his entry into the race would have made him the favorite for the nomination. King, like Rep. Tom Latham before him, cited work in the House as reason not t...

In Massachusetts, Kids Poll the Darndest Things

The first post-primary poll in next month's Massachusetts Senate special election was released Thursday, but while the survey carried the name of a prominent Boston university, it wasn't conducted by the school or its faculty. The automated poll was conducted by a newly-reinstated student group on c...
Obama in Mexico

Play of the Day: Obama in Mexico

President Barack Obama’s trip to Mexico this week had Jay Leno ruminating on two of his favorite political topics: Obama’s lack of skill in economics and the immigration issue. The president is traveling to Mexico to talk about the North American economy and immigration with Mexican leadership, which promoted the Tonight Show host to say that Obama “actually has to leave the country” to tout any economic successes. Leno also compared talking immigration in Mexico to touting same-sex marriage in San Francisco. 

Inside the Cover: Stopping Terrorism at the Source

In this week's National Journal cover story, Michael Hirsh looks at why the Obama administration's plan to use American Muslims as an early-detection system to spot radicals hasn't worked. In this video, go inside the story with the author himself.
Stephane Herseth Sandlin

Herseth Sandlin Would Follow a Well-Trodden Path From Congress to K St. and Back

If former Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin runs in South Dakota's open-seat Senate race, she'll no doubt have to fend off attacks about her time at a Washington lobbying firm. Following her 2010 reelection defeat, the Democrat joined Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC, before returning to South Dakota...
Hillary Clinton

Abortion Rights Activists Looking to Hillary Clinton As 2016 Champion

Abortion rights activists fuming over President Obama’s opposition to making emergency contraception accessible to women of all ages could have an ally campaigning for the Oval Office in 2016: Hillary Clinton.

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

A majority of Insiders say prospects are poor.

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

Neither party’s Insiders expect much of an effect.
Jack Kingston

Tea Party Hopes for a Peachy 2014 in Georgia

Three open House races and an open Senate seat make Georgia one of the nation’s best opportunities.
Unemployment

Why No One’s Winning in Washington

Republicans needed to move to the center. The Democrats needed to fix the economy. Oh well.
Tim Holden, Vice President Biden

Play of the Day: Joe Biden's Plane

Fast forward to 4:25 to see the reaction after Vice President Joe Biden got home after Air Force Two broke down in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Early Voting In Ohio

The Democratic Comeback To Voter ID

In Colorado, Democrats looking to liberalize voting laws to their advantage.
John Boehner

Why Isn't Boehner a Target in Congressional Elections?

Democrats haven't gotten around to demonizing the House speaker the way Republicans have with Nancy Pelosi.
afghan troops

Play of the Day: The Politics of Defense Contracting

Fast forward to 5:25 to see how Colbert thinks the government can repurpose the tanks.
Gabriel Gomez

Why Gabriel Gomez (Probably) Isn't Scott Brown

The general election matchup in the race to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's old Senate seat is set, and everyone wants to know: Is Republican Gabriel Gomez the next Scott Brown? The short answer: Probably not. The winner of Tuesday night's Republican primary has a compelling backstory, and Rep...
Nick Rahall

Rahall Won't Run For Senate

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., will soon announce he is running for a 20th term in the House, taking a pass on the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, according to a statement obtained by Hotline On Call. "With U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller retiring at the end of this term, it is m...
Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli

Virginia Governor's Race Overshadowed By Scandal

Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAuliffe's ties to controversial companies have become fodder for attacks.

With Amash and Rogers Mulling Senate Race, a Look at GOP's Potential House Hopefuls

While Rep. Gary Peters seems to have a clear path to the Democratic nomination, we still don't whether the GOP's Senate nominee in Michigan will be Rep. Justin Amash, Rep. Mike Rogers or someone else entirely. That doesn't mean it's too early to look at the possible House candidates should Rogers or...
Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell Wants to Be the Republican Party's Chief Tech Innovator

The 71-year-old GOP leader's campaign sees closing the data gap with the Democrats as a key to reelection.
Gary Peters

Gary Peters To Announce Senate Bid

Rep. Gary Peters will announce this week that he's running to replace retiring Sen. Carl Levin, sources tell The Hotline, giving Democrats another top recruit in a state critical to their hopes of keeping the Senate next year.
Ed Markey

Ed Markey Will Face Gabriel Gomez in Massachusetts Senate Race

Markey, who has served in Congress since 1976, is the favorite to serve as the state's junior senator.
Colbert Busch

Black Voters Are Key to a Colbert Busch Win in South Carolina

The Democrat is airing a radio ad accusing Mark Sanford of voter suppression.
Affordable Care upheld

Explaining the GOP Split Over Repealing Obamacare

Cantor's approach blew up this week. Conservatives who want repeal might have the upper hand politically -- over Democrats, too.
American dream

The American Dream, Downsized

The middle class now worries more about holding on for dear life than about climbing the ladder to riches. 
Oil refineries

What If Oil Lasts Forever?

New technology and a little-known energy source suggest that fossil fuels may not be finite. This would be a miracle—and a nightmare.
Colleen Hanabusa

Is Brian Schatz Already Winning Hawaii's Invisible Primary?

A competitive Hawaii Senate race is all but official. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and other outlets reported Tuesday that Democratic Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has decided to challenge appointed Sen. Brian Schatz and try to make good on the late Sen. Daniel Inouye’s deathbed request that Hanabusa repl...
Harry Reid

Round Two for Gun Control May Take a ‘Next Newtown’

A week after gun legislation suffered a stinging defeat in the Senate, an uncomfortable realization has settled over the Capitol that it will likely take another mass shooting or similar tragedy to reignite momentum for gun control.
Rep. Justin Amash

Mich. GOP Establishment Hopes for Rogers, Frets Over Amash

Longtime Michigan Republican operatives are open about their desire to see Rep. Mike Rogers run in the state's open-seat Senate race, but they're worried Rep. Justin Amash -- who possesses little regard for the GOP establishment -- won't let the possibility of a damaging primary derail his ambition...
Max Baucus

What Will Max Baucus Do With His New Political Freedom?

The Montana senator's retirement could affect legislation on guns, taxes, immigration, and the debt ceiling. If only he'll agree with his fellow Democrats.
Toomey

Pat Toomey’s Tilt Toward Middle Angers Conservative Base

The junior senator from Pennsylvania’s doomed effort to broker a gun-control compromise on background checks provoked anger among fellow Republicans, who called him an enemy of the Second Amendment and a traitor to the conservative cause.
Nick Rahall at Energy Independence Press Conference

NRCC Recruiting Freshman State Legislator to Challenge Nick Rahall

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., one of Republicans' top targets in 2014, may soon get his first challenger: The National Republican Congressional Committee is in the process of recruiting state Sen. Bill Cole to run for the seat. The NRCC sent staffers to West Virginia last week to meet with Cole, accord...
Lynch and Markey

Democrats Argue Over Who's Tougher on National Security After Boston Bombings

National security was a contentious topic at Monday night's Democratic debate.
Reid's picks: Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.

Max Baucus's Sudden Retirement Puts Pressure on Former Montana Governor

It's Schweitzer or bust for Democrats as they hope to hold a pivotal Senate seat.
Paul LePage

The Hot Mic Rule

One might think that after President Obama and Mitt Romney got caught on a hot mic, politicians would learn an important lesson about politics: In an age of smart phones, there's no such thing as an off-the-record speech. Five years later, Obama is still taking flack for surreptitiously recorded co...
Boston suspect search

Boston Suspects Demonstrate the Thin Line Between Amateurism and Terrorism

U.S. Muslims fear a backlash. ‘It can’t get worse than this,’ says one community organizer.

Inside the Cover: Who Wants To Run For Congress?

In this week's National Journal cover story, Shane Goldmacher looks at why anyone would want to run for Congress. In the video above, go inside the story with the author himself.
Rep. Steve King

King on Possible Senate Run: 'I Can See a Path to Victory'

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, is still considering running for Senate, telling National Journal that he sees "a path to victory" in polling conducted on his behalf, but his "gut hasn't quite lined up yet." In an interview with NJ's Fawn Johnson, published in the new issue of National Journal, King says...
Rob Portman

Poll: Portman's Approval Rating Slips After Marriage Stance

Sen. Rob Portman's, R-Ohio, approval ratings have dropped marginally since he announced he supported same-sex marriage last month, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Friday. The poll shows Portman with 40 percent approval, while 31 percent of voters take a negative view of his job pe...
Heidi Heitkamp

Why Would Anyone Want to Run for Congress?

How both political parties seduce (and sometimes browbeat) ordinary citizens into seeking a position in the nation’s most despised club. 
Barack Obama, John McCain

Why John McCain Is Barack Obama’s New Best Friend

The two have their eyes on history as they transcend years of friction. The upshot could be good for the country.
Senate Dems with Angus King

‘Independent’ in Name Only

He promised to chart his own course, but a National Journal vote analysis shows that Sen. Angus King of Maine aligns with Democrats. 

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

Insiders from both parties see regular order as the smart move. 

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

Democratic and Republican Insiders have high hopes, but for different reasons. 
Patrick Murphy

House Fundraising Winners and Losers

The path back to a House majority is incredibly difficult for Democrats. But there was a lot of good news for them in the first set of campaign finance reports of the 2014 election cycle. For the big winners of the first quarter, just look toward the top of the list. A pair of Florida freshmen, Dem...
NRA Protest

Why the Senate Vote May Signal 2016 Problems for the Gun Lobby

The outcome of Wednesday’s dramatic Senate vote on expanding background checks simultaneously demonstrated the difficult geography confronting gun-control advocates in the Senate and the potentially daunting math facing gun-rights proponents in the Electoral College.
Gregory Jaczko

Reid Appoints Besieged Regulator to Nuclear-Weapons Panel

Late in the evening on Wednesday, one of the busiest and most unnerving times Washington has seen in a long while, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid quietly appointed Gregory Jaczko, a controversial former nuclear-energy regulator to a key but obscure panel.
Barack Obama

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

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

How Obama Misread the Politics of Gun Control

Reality check: Gun-control opponents hold the upper hand politically in 2014.
Harry Reid

Democrats Search for Next Move After Major Gun Defeat

After the Senate dealt a blow to one of President Obama’s top second-term priorities, voting down a bipartisan measure to expand background checks on gun purchases, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pledged that, “This was just the beginning.”
Fred Upton

5 Things Immigration, Gay Marriage, and Gun Control Have That Climate Change Doesn't

The amount of change happening in Washington is impressive, but this kind of sea change can’t happen right now with energy and climate policy. Here's why.
Obama gun control

At Pivotal Point in Presidency, Obama Routed on Gun Control

But GOP victory could backfire if voters revolt.
Steve King

Observers Say King's Fundraising Points Away From Senate Run

If Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, is a soon-to-be Senate candidate, he isn't fundraising like one, and his latest Federal Election Commission reports have contributed to a growing buzz that the outspoken conservative will take a pass on his state's open-seat Senate race. To some political observers, the...
McAuliffe

McAuliffe's $5-Million Quarter Gives Him Va. Cash Advantage

The $5.1 million raised by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in the first quarter for this fall's Virginia gubernatorial election dwarfed the $2.4 million of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican nominee, during the same time period. McAuliffe also reported $5...
Obama

Focus on Gun Control and Immigration Reform Diverted After Boston Bombings

As the investigation into the perpetrators is underway, President Obama still working on his domestic agenda.
Boston aftermath

Experts Skeptical Homegrown Terrorists Were Behind Boston Bombings

While officials are still investigating who was behind the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon, President Obama made it clear on Tuesday that authorities are still unclear whether domestic or foreign actors are responsible for the attack.
Joe Baca

Democratic Attacks Already Flying in Closely-Watched Calif. House Primary

Voters and donors, not to mention candidates, are just starting to recover from the nationwide intensity of the 2012 election. But a Democratic recruit in an important California congressional race is already hammering away at a fellow Democratic primary opponent. It's one of the first direct attack...
White House after Boston

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

We knew who bombed Oklahoma City and who killed Kennedy within hours. What a president goes through when there is no culprit.
Martin Richard

Why Boston Bombings Might Be Scarier Than 9/11

Killing Americans at play resonates differently than attacks on economic and military targets.
Manchin

Still a Long Way To Go in Senate On Gun Control

Democrats were feeling pretty good last week after inking a bipartisan agreement on sweeping background checks for gun purchases and getting the votes to begin a Senate debate on new gun restrictions. But now they return to the Capitol at just the beginning of what will be a long, tough road to turn gun legislation into law.
Capitol Police

Boston Blasts Bring a Chill to Washington

Tax day in Washington turned into a tension-filled reminder that there are far worse problems to deal with than the federal budget, immigration reform, or even gun control, as bombings at the Boston Marathon brought the horrors of terrorism front and center into the national consciousness.
Nick Rahall at Energy Independence Press Conference

Senate Fundraising Roundup: The House Is Home?

With Monday's Federal Election Commission reporting deadline looming, we are getting an early glimpse at which potential Senate candidates in the House are already laying the groundwork for 2014 bids for the upper chamber -- and which are not just yet. Here, a look at the latter: Arkansas: Rep. Tom...
Mike Rounds

After Fast Start, Rounds Raises $184K in First Quarter

Former South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, saw his fundraising pace for the state's open-seat Senate race slow in the first quarter of 2013, the Argus Leader of Sioux Falls reported Monday. After hauling in $270,000 in the last month of 2012, Rounds raised just $184,000 in the first three months of 2013....
Corey Booker, Soledad O'Brien

Booker Reports Raising $1.9 Million in First Quarter

Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker hasn't officially launched his Senate campaign, but the Democrat posted an impressive first quarter fundraising haul, reeling in $1.9 million over the first three months of 2013. Booker finished March with more than $1.6 million in his federal fundraising account, acc...
Bruce Braley

Braley Has $1 Million On Hand, As Republicans Seek A Senate Candidate

Just more than two months into his Senate campaign, Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, has a million-dollar head start as Republicans seek to find his opponent. Braley raised $1.07 million in the first quarter of 2013, $856,875 of which came from his nascent Senate committee. The remainder was raised by hi...
potd415

Play of the Day: The Gun Control Deal is...Disappointing

Fast forward to 4:20 to see what the Manchin-Toomey plan accomplishes.

Five Staffers to Watch in the DCCC and NRCC

The battle for the House majority will rage across the country next year. And few groups will wield more influence on those races than the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. Here are five staffers from each who will play a critical role in those campaigns.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller

Insiders: Rocky, Johnson Retirements Viewed As Most Damaging

Democratic members of National Journal's Insiders panel said this week that West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller's retirement was most damaging to their party's prospects of retaining the seat. The Insiders Poll asked which 2014 Senate retirement hurt the incumbent party the most, with nearly half of...
Guns

5 House Republicans to Watch in the Gun-Control Debate

To get legislation passed, President Obama needs to win over the conservative members in competitive districts.
gun store

Explaining the Gender Gap On Gun Control

Most women support strengthening gun laws, compared with fewer than half of men.
Ken Cuccinelli

Ken Cuccinelli Struggling with Makeover in Virginia Governor's Race

The Republican nominee is now focusing more on job growth and education reform than railing against abortion and gay marriage.
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley

The O'Malley Factor

Can Gov. Martin O'Malley ride his Maryland success to the White House? 
Marie Arrasate, left, and Joan McGarr

It's Easy to Fix Social Security

Unlike Medicare and Medicaid, it's simple arithmetic. If only the politics added up. 
Pat Toomey

How Pat Toomey Became the Face of the Blue State GOP

The senator from Pennsylvania could have followed Rick Santorum. Instead, he's moving to the center on guns and gay rights. 

Poll: Which Senate Seats Are Likeliest to Flip?

Insiders say those of Democrats Tim Johnson and Jay Rockefeller are the most vulnerable.

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

Insiders from both parties say it is, though more Democrats are skeptical. 
Mark Pryor and David Pryor

Senate Fundraising Roundup: Clinton Boosts Pryor, Schatz Starts Strong, and Franken Burns on Both Ends

With the Federal Election Commission's April 15 first-quarter reporting deadline coming up quickly, a number of senators chose to release fundraising numbers a little early on Thursday. The first fundraising report of a new election cycle is the least important, but there are still some interesting...
Mullin

How Does a Former Professional-Fighter-Turned Congressman Prep for the Gun-Control Scuffle?

Rep. Markwayne Mullin says don't judge a gun by its stock.
McAuliffe

To Beat Terry McAuliffe, Virginia GOP Turns to Anti-Romney Playbook

The Democratic nominee once made an outlandish claim that would make Mitt cringe.
Landrieu and Pryor

Tough Gun Votes Could End Careers on Capitol Hill

TARP, taxes, Obamacare, and guns have been blamed for scores of defeats in the last 20 years.
Gina McCarthy EPA Chief

Republicans to Begin New Assault on Obama’s Climate Plans at Hearing for EPA Nominee

The Obama administration and Senate Republicans face off in a high-drama clash over global warming on Thursday, as the president’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency undergoes questioning by the committee considering her nomination.
Asa Huchinson

Hutchinson Officially Begins Ark. Governor Campaign

Former Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., announced Wednesday that he has raised more than $350,000 for his nascent gubernatorial campaign. "In January I publicly stated that I would be a candidate for Governor in 2014. Today, I make that candidacy official and will formally begin the campaign with activ...
Rep. Greg Walden R.-Ore.

Is the GOP Preparing to Attack Dems on Social Security?

Are Republicans preparing to cudgel Democrats with, of all things, Social Security? That was the explicit impression left by Greg Walden, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, during a Wednesday interview on CNN. The Oregon congressman said President Obama's budget – which...
Obama

Newly Engaged Obama Makes Slow, Uncertain Progress on Agenda

Deals are within reach on guns, immigration, and even deficit reduction.
Kim Jong-Un

Play of the Day: The Looming Threat of Kim Jong Un

Fast forward to 4:20 to see Ferguson show why Kim shouldn't be strapped for money.
Joe Manchin

Why There's New Hope For Gun Control

No matter what happens with the legislation being taken up by the Senate on Thursday, the sheer heft of the gun conversation could itself be a major victory for the gun-control movement.
Mitch McConnell

Did Anyone Bug Mitch McConnell's Office?

The Kentucky Senate race has taken a turn for the whodunit.
Jay-Z and Beyonce

How to Get to Cuba If You're Not Beyonce and Jay-Z

The duo's trip sparked congressional outrage, but it's probably legal.
Barack Obama

Obama's Army Outmaneuvered by the NRA

If Obama can't get background checks through Congress after his campaign-style blitz this week, it doesn't bode well for the president's advocacy shop.
Jon Stewart On The Daily Show

CNN's Crossfire Revival Might Be the Worst Idea Ever

Since program was canceled in January 2005, we’ve gotten Crossfired to the max. But CNN was the pioneer and now it wants its mantle back.
Budget

What to Expect in Obama’s Budget

Apart from the president’s plan to formalize cuts that he has already proposed, what else can Americans expect from a budget that’s roughly two months late and that follows both parties’ congressional budget proposals?
President Barack Obama

GOP Health Experts Agree: Don't Count on 'Obamacare' to Fail

Is the Obama administration totally bungling implementation of its signature universal health care law? The White House gets some surprising backup from top health officials from two GOP administrations.
Gay Marriage State by State

Mapping the Same-Sex Marriage Movement

A graphical look at how the states stand on same-sex marriage. 
marijuana pot bar

How Baby Boomers Became Pro-Pot Legalization

The debate over marijuana legalization tends to focus on seniors who use the drug for medicinal purposes. But what if the aging and the sick aren't really the cohort that will wind up deciding the issue?
Gun Show

Why Gay Marriage Is Getting Political Traction (And Why Gun Control Isn't)

The generation gap that's driving same-sex marriage doesn't exist in the debate over guns.
Mark Pryor

Dem Insiders See Pryor As Most Vulnerable

Democrats on National Journal's Political Insiders panel choose Sens. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and Kay Hagan, D-N.C., as the party's most-endangered member in 2014. This week's Insiders Poll shows Republicans agree Hagan is most vulnerable, but they pick Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, as second on the list...
Scott Brown 2012 campaign

Scott Brown Would Face Obstacles in N.H. Senate Bid

When out-of-state politicians travel to New Hampshire, talk of presidential ambitions follows. Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown's visit to the Granite State on Thursday set off alarms about a different race. Discussing his political future with reporters, Brown wouldn't rule out running against...
Belogolova family

Why Washington and Moscow Still Don't Trust Each Other

I left the USSR in 1991. Going back showed that Cold War stereotypes don’t fade—even with time.
Mark Pryor

Why This Democratic Senator Won't Support Same-Sex Marriage

There are now only four Democratic senators who have not expressed support for gay marriage. Sen. Mark Pryor is likely to stay that way.

Poll: Which Senate Incumbents Are Most Vulnerable?

Democratic Insiders say it's Mark Pryor or Kay Hagan, while Republicans point to Hagan by a wide margin.

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

Insiders from both parties see Obama struggling on the issue.
Gay Marriage

Why the Culture Wars Now Favor Democrats

Gay marriage, gun control, immigration—the wedge issues now divide Republicans.
Rep. John Fleming, R-La., once operated 30 Subway restaurants and had a stake in 130 UPS stores, from Mississippi to Texas.

Fleming Won't Join Cassidy In La. Senate Run

Rep. John Fleming, R-La., will not run for the Senate in 2014, he said in a statement today, citing fellow Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy's official entry into the race Wednesday and the necessity of party unity ahead of what is expected to be a tough battle against incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Land...
Elizabeth Colbert

On Day One, Sanford Discovers Challenges of Taking On a Female Candidate

On just his first day as the Republican nominee for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District seat, former Gov. Mark Sanford is discovering the challenges of running against a female candidate, adding to the difficulties faced by a man in the process of resurrecting his political career after admi...
Asa Huchinson

Republicans Pushing For More Aggressive Enforcement of Current Gun Laws, Not New Gun Control

Republicans are aiming to shift the media’s focus from the prospects of new gun laws to the failures of current ones.
Same-Sex Marriage

Which Republican Senator Will Support Gay Marriage Next? 5 to Watch.

Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins could be the next two to flip.
Mark Sanford and fiancée

6 Big Questions About Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch

The cast of players in the South Carolina special House election includes a fiancee, an ex-wife, and a famous brother. What roles will they play?
Chris Christie

Chris Christie's Popularity With Women Voters Thwarts Female Opponent

To have a chance at defeating the popular governor, Democrats need to create a gender gap--fast.
Google trends

In Ruling Out 'Illegal Immigrant,' AP Bans a Long-Favored Search Term

Expect to read fewer stories about "illegal immigrants.” The Associated Press on Tuesday announced that it was dropping the term from its stylebook, which countless newsrooms use as their de facto style bible. In so doing, AP has banned one of the more popular search terms used to describe the roughly 11 million people living in the United States illegally.
Mark Sanford

Why Stephen Colbert’s Sister Could Beat Mark Sanford

Scandal-plagued candidates have a lousy track record at winning elections.
gun control

The Gun Control Targets: States Where Laws Have Passed

Even though Congress hasn't moved any legislation, the states are taking action.
Elizabeth Colbert

South Carolina Special Election Will Be High-Profile but Have Little National Significance

There's little reason to believe this off-year fight between Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch and Republican Mark Sanford will carry with it important political lessons.
Asa Huchinson

Once Again, the NRA Is Winning the Gun-Control Debate

At dueling press conferences, gun-rights supporters sound confident.
White House Easter Egg Roll

Play of the Day: Egg Rolls and Panda Mating

Fast forward to 3:10 to learn what surprising things an overzealous kid found at the White House Sunday.

Citing Health Reasons, Potential DCCC Recruit Drops Out of Latham Race

Businessman Mike Sherzan, an early Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recruit, halted his campaign Monday in Iowa's 3rd congressional district, citing "personal health issues." Sherzan had been mounting a campaign against GOP Rep. Tom Latham, telling Hotline On Call in February that "it's...
Rep. Steve Israel

House Democrats See Potential Gains in 2014 Without Obama on the Ticket

DCCC officials say they have found a silver lining amid much pessimism about the 2014 midterm elections.
Mitch McConnell

The Secret Republican Plan to Repeal 'Obamacare'

Mitch McConnell knows how to unwind Obamacare. And he doesn't think it's too late to do it.  
Supreme Court DOMA

Why Waiting on the States Could Create a Messy Future for Same-Sex Marriage

In two big cases this week, the justices were hesitant to impose a national standard on gay marriage. But history shows that leaving the issue to the states could leave a long-lasting patchwork.
Supreme Court DOMA

Why Are All These Democrats Suddenly Supporting Gay Marriage?

There's been an "evolution" in their thinking. There's also a lot of money on the table. 
Joe Garcia Colorado

Democrats Recruiting Tipton Challengers

At least two Democrats are considering running against Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., next year: state Sen. Gail Schwartz and Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia. Multiple state Democrats confirmed Schwartz and Garcia are being recruited to run in the state's 3rd Congressional District. Schwartz, a two-term senator a...
Kay Hagan

Hagan Backs Gay Marriage, Despite N.C. Ban

Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., became the first Southern Democrat in the chamber running for reelection next year to publicly announce her support for same-sex marriage Wednesday, joining a growing line of Democrats who have come out in favor of marriage rights in recent days, as the Supreme Court consider...
Supreme Court Oral Arguments

Why 1 Gay-Rights Activist Doesn't Want a Broad Supreme Court Decision Now

Following the first day of oral arguments before the Supreme Court, some gay-rights activists fear the justices seemed hesitant to rule broadly on the constitutional right for same-sex marriage. But one activist says that might be fine for now.
Champagne

How Booze Could Save a Political Career

It’s too early for Republicans to pop the bubbly in Pennsylvania. But it might be time to put the champagne on ice.
grumpy cat same sex marriage

The Same-Sex Marriage Logo Is Now a Meme

The 8 best derivatives of Human Rights Campaign's icon
human rights campaign logo same sex gay marriage

Why Is This Image for Same-Sex Marriage Going Viral?

If the window for embracing same-sex marriage is closing, so is the one for marriage-equality avatars on Facebook.
Bloomberg

Mayor Bloomberg, The Great Liberal Ally? Not So Fast.

A billionaire who pours money into backing gun control and also endorsed President Obama because of his stance on climate change -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg seems to have positioned himself as the perfect liberal ally, right?
Supreme Court Prop 8

Justices Signal They Want to Move Slowly on Same-Sex Marriage

The Supreme Court took California's gay-marriage case, but the justices seem to be aching for a reason to rule narrowly.
SCOTUS Gay Marriage

Protesters Outside the Supreme Court on Proposition 8

Charlie Crist Senate Judiciary Committee

Fla. Dems Pray for Crist's Resurrection

There are more than 4.7 million registered Democrats in Florida, but it looks more and more like only one is a viable -- and willing -- potential candidate to challenge vulnerable Gov. Rick Scott: former GOP Gov. Charlie Crist, who joined the Democratic Party in December. 2010 nominee Alex Sink and...
Same-Sex Marriage sign

The Best Signs Supporting Same-Sex Marriage At the Supreme Court

From YOLO Scalia to Dumbledore, some of the best signs outside of the Supreme Court as the Justices hear arguments on Prop 8.
Supreme Court Prop 8

Your Guide to Today's Supreme Court Prop 8 Hearing

No more politicians switching sides. No more talk of what the polls mean. The long-awaited gay-marriage arguments at the Supreme Court have arrived, and the stakes are high for the most important civil-rights cases before the nation's highest court in years.
Same-sex Marriage

Could Overturning Gay-Marriage Bans Help the GOP?

Taking the politically tough issue off the table would benefit the Republican Party.
Ted Olson

Prop 8 Challenger Ted Olson Was My Lawyer

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.
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Insiders Agree Dems Will Nominate Clinton in 2016

National Journal's Political Insiders panel overwhelmingly thinks Democrats will nominate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the party's presidential candidate in 2016, but both Democratic and Republican insiders fail to achieve consensus on whom the GOP will nominate for the contest. A pl...
Bloomberg

Previewing the Sunday Shows

The Sunday shows will cover a variety of topics this week, from the coming legal fight over same-sex marriage to President Obama's first trip to Israel as president. Check out the full listings: Sunday Meet the Press hosts New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre Face the Nat...
Markey-St. Paddy

Lynch, Markey Ads Highlight Their Strengths

Rep. Stephen Lynch and Rep. Edward Markey, the two Massachusetts Democrats competing to succeed Secretary of State John Kerry in the Senate, each have debuted their opening two television ads over the last two weeks, and their respective strategies reveal dueling priorities for the two campaigns. Ly...
John Boehner, Eric Cantor

A Republican Divide in Sharp Relief

There's a growing split between the party's elites, based in D.C. and New York, and the increasingly vocal grassroots.
pre-school

What San Antonio Has to Teach Washington

The city is trying a small-scale version of Obama's pre-K plan. If politicians want to send more 4-year-olds to school, they should pay attention.
Rep. Justin Amash

The Senate Trouble-Maker in Waiting

Rep. Justin Amash has already led a failed coup against House leadership. His next play may be the upper chamber.

Insiders Agree Democrats Will Nominate Clinton in 2016

Repulicans are torn between Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush.
Rick Perry

The Man Who Could Turn Texas Blue: Rick Perry

By opposing Medicaid expansion, the governor could hurt the GOP in a must-win state.
Betty Ford ERA

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

In the '70s, the Equal Rights Amendment looked like it would become law. And then it didn't. 
Obama - Boehner

Debunking 2 Myths: GOP Won't Raise Taxes and Budget Deal Is Dead

Republicans are open to tax hikes as part of a narrow path to bargain with the White House.
Dianne Feinstein

How Democrats Got Gun Control Polling Wrong

Some gun-control proposals poll above 80 percent, but that level of support is not showing up in Congress.
pot

The Pot Industry’s Most Politically Important Dispensary

In the eyes of the federal government, there is no such thing as “medical marijuana.” But there’s a dispensary just blocks from the Capitol.
Reince Priebus

The GOP Disconnect on Economic Policy

The RNC may want to send a few extra copies of the election postmortem to Capitol Hill. Judging by the budget blueprints put forth by congressional Republicans, they didn’t get the memo.

Have Democrats Found Another Manchin in West Virginia?

Though for the last several weeks, Democratic hopes of retaining Sen. Jay Rockefeller's seat in 2014 have looked bleak, it seems party operatives may have finally found their unicorn in West Virginia: a wealthy, pro-coal, pro-business Democrat in the style of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. Attorney Nick Preservati has spoken with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee about running for the seat, in conversations that the committee found "encouraging," according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.
Rick Perry

Rick Perry: The Presidential Candidate Ahead of His Time

The Texas governor ran an awful campaign in 2012.  But his platform is now belatedly being embraced by party leaders.
Sen. Joe Manchin

Have Democrats Found Another Manchin in West Virginia?

Though for the last several weeks, Democratic hopes of retaining Sen. Jay Rockefeller's seat in 2014 have looked bleak, it seems party operatives may have finally found their unicorn in West Virginia: a wealthy, pro-coal, pro-business Democrat in the style of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. Attorney Nick P...
Martin O'Malley

Will Martin O’Malley Be the Howard Dean of 2016?

The Maryland governor's progressive legislative accomplishments would enable him to make a play from the left in 2016.
Rand Paul

Seeking a Bigger Audience, Tea-Party Hero Embraces Immigration Reform

Rand Paul suppports legalizing undocumented immigrants, signaling an interest to expand his following beyond the tea party movement.
Netanyahu and Obama

Personal Frictions Loom Over Obama's Trip to Israel

It is widely believed that this American president and Israeli prime minister simply don’t like each other. And the personal always has a bearing on the policy.
Michele Bachmann

What Happened to Michele Bachmann?

In the first two months of the 113th Congress Michele Bachmann has been practically invisible. What happened?
Pearceprofile

Meet the RNC's Curious Poster Boy for Hispanic Outreach

How can Republicans win back Hispanic voters? According to Reince Priebus, they need to study how Congressman Steve Pearce did it. "When a conservative like Steve Pearce in New Mexico wins in a predominantly Latino district, we need to glean the lessons of his approach," said Priebus, who on Monday...
same-sex marriage

Gay Marriage Is A 2016 Litmus Test for Democrats

Any Democratic presidential candidate opposing gay marriage will have trouble winning the nomination.
Hillary Clinton

6 Reasons for Hillary Clinton's Gay-Marriage Move

Hint: None of them have to do with a potential presidential campaign.
President Barack Obama greeting Michaele and Tareq Salahi,

Closing in on Signature Threshold, Salahi Talks Politics, Policy And Journey

Though Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe are the far-and-away frontrunners in this year's Virginia gubernatorial race, the other candidate in the race discussed his own campaign with Hotline On Call late last week: former Whi...
Reince Priebus

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

The Republican Party's base still controls the debate in Washington.
Hispanic voters

GOP Can't Win Latinos Over Immigration

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 to court Latinos are wasting their time. “It’s not clear that amnesty wins any Hispanics,” Coulter wrote, “apart from the ones who can’t vote (because they’re illegal) and their ethnic ‘spokesmen,’ whose power increases as the Hispanic population grows.” Hispanics gravitate toward Democrats, she insisted, because they believe in more government, and no immigration courtship will seduce them.
Mark Sanford

The Five Candidates Most Likely to Take On Mark Sanford

Though the race for first place in Tuesday's special GOP primary in South Carolina's First District is a foregone conclusion, the battle to take on former Gov. Mark Sanford in an almost-guaranteed April 2 runoff is wide-open, according to several Republicans in the state. The list of candidates who...
Steve King at CPAC

Steve King at CPAC: Happy Conservative Warrior

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...
Santorum CPAC

At CPAC, Conservatives Downplaying the Culture Wars

Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels controversially called for a social truce at CPAC in 2011. Now other conservatives are taking his advice.
Trump CPAC

Race-Baiting, Godlessness, and Elitists at GOP’s CPAC

The conservative conference is an annual reminder of the GOP's image problem.
Romney

Mitt Romney's CPAC Speech Was As Lackluster As His Campaign

But the former presidential nominee's speech was a reminder of his political mistakes during the 2012 presidential campaign. 
Tim Ryan

Tim Ryan Passes on Ohio Gubernatorial Race

Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, will not run for governor, the Youngstown Vindicator reported Friday. Ryan had been listed among the possible challengers to Gov. John Kasich, but decided he preferred to retain his spot on the House Appropriations Committee. Earlier this week, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fi...
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