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National Journal Coverage
Obama in Austin

Why Republicans Think the IRS Scandal Is More Politically Potent Than Benghazi

GOP strategists give advice on the best way to talk about the brewing scandals for political benefit.
The IRS Building in Washington

Why Is It So Hard to Keep the IRS Out of Politics?

Government officials need a refresher course in the First Amendment "anti-retaliation" principle.
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.
Gary Peters

Peters Manager A Familiar Face

Rep. Gary Peters has turned to a familiar face to manage his Senate campaign: Julie Petrick, the Democratic strategist who ran his first congressional race in 2008, will take over his statewide bid Tuesday. Petrick comes to the campaign from EMILY's List, where she worked in the political departmen...
pod thumb

Play of the Day: Rounding Up a Tough Week for the White House

Fast forward to 4:20 to see why the IRS is on edge this time of the year.
Michele Bachamm, Mike Lee, Rand Paul

Explaining the Connection Between Obama's Health Care Law and the IRS

The agency will play a big role in implementing ObamaCare, a point Republicans are amplifying.
Moore, Okla., destruction

Coburn: ‘Legitimate’ Role for FEMA in Response to Oklahoma Tornadoes

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said Tuesday that “there’s a legitimate role” for the federal government in the response to the tornadoes near Oklahoma City that have devastated the town of Moore, where at least 24 people have died.
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. 

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."
 E.W. Jackson

Virginia Republicans Panicking Over Their Choice for Lieutenant Governor

Archconservative pastor E.W. Jackson isn't the running mate Ken Cuccinelli had in mind.
irs leader

How Obama Could Start Fixing the IRS

Step one, name a Republican—preferably a prominent one—to head the agency.
naturization ceremony

Immigration Will Soon be the Biggest Population Driver—For the First Time Since 1850

Some time in the roughly next 15 to 25 years, immigration will become the primary driver of U.S. population growth, overtaking “natural” increases for the first time in nearly 200 years.
Obama

The Diminishing Returns of Big-Data Campaigning

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

First Hurdle Cleared in Immigration, but Bigger Ones Remain

The Senate Judiciary Committee approves a bill that would give 11 million undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship and require employers to electronically verify all new hires.

National Journal’s Hotline Gets an Upgrade and Redesign

National Journal has fully redesigned The Hotlinewith a brand new look, a user-friendly interface, and powerful political tracking tools. Subscribers will continue to enjoy The Hotline editors' irreverent and comprehensive look at political developments from across the country, presented alongside campaign news links from around the web, race-by-race polling data and demographic metrics in partnership with OhMyGov, a media monitoring and political analysis research firm.  

Poll: How Damaging Is the IRS Controversy to Obama?

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

Will the Benghazi and IRS Probes Do More Damage to Obama or the GOP?

Impeachment talk and multiple investigations recall the Clinton era that Obama promised to avoid.
Boston bombing memorial

5 Ways the Boston Bombings Altered the Political Debate

From immigration to drones, the attacks had an impact on the presidential agenda.
Political Pursuit 2013

'Press Pass' Wins Political Pursuit

After five rounds of intense trivia, jokes and a few beer breaks, the Press Pass team claimed victory at our Fifth Annual Political Pursuit event. Roll Call's Shira Toeplitz, Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, New York Times' Carl Hulse, Washington Post's Paul Kane and Cook Political Report's Amy Wa...
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?
Terry McAuliffe Mark Warner

Terry McAuliffe Struggles to Define Himself to Virginia Voters

At a campaign stop, the Democrat talks about a business he started when he was 14, not his more recent ventures.
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.
Hispanic Voters

As Hispanic Vote Lags, Millions of Votes Left on the Table

Less than half of all eligible Hispanics turned out to vote in 2012, according to census data, suggesting they have yet to flex their political muscle.
Don't Tread on Me Flag

Tea Party Victims Detail Intimidation, Claim Vindication

The tax collector's actions confirm the worst fears of conservatives.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., left, and Sen. Charles Schumer

Immigration Bill's Last Hurdle Tonight -- Gay Rights

Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy will still not say whether he plans to put forward an amendment tonight that would extend the bill’s immigration provisions to gay couples.
President Barack Obama chats with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during the start of a dinner at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 28, 2010.

Which Is More Corrupt: Afghanistan or America?

Karzai cash payments highlight a growing friction as Afghans blame NATO for their poor reputation.
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.
Mac Collins

Congress: The Next Generation

Former lawmakers are helping their children in so many races this year that we might as well dub next Election Day “Take Your Kid to Congress Day.”
Al Franken

New Minn. GOP Chair Begins Rebuilding Effort

After a dismal 2012, there's no "silver bullet" for the Minnesota GOP, says its new chair, Keith Downey. But a 2014 comeback, Downey believes, is still within reach if the weakened party can regain its footing in time to capitalize on a few big opportunities. That comeback won't come solely from be...
Jim DeMint

Why Conservatives Are Divided on Immigration Reform

You could be excused for thinking it’s the world vs. Jim DeMint and the Heritage Foundation when it comes to immigration reform.
Elizabeth Colbert

Colbert Busch Outraises Sanford Nearly Two-to-One

Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch raised nearly twice as much money as did former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford over the last two months, ahead of the May 7 special election for the Palmetto State's 1st District seat, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission late on Thursd...
George W. Bush at National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast

George W. Bush's Reluctant Re-Emergence on the Political Scene

The ex-president is preparing to dedicate his library this week, but these days he's more interested in painting, golfing, and enjoying a life away from politics.
Young Voters

Will Millennials Become Generation X-treme?

Harvard study suggests leaders must act urgently to prevent polarization and apathy among young Americans.
Mark Sanford

What To Watch For in Tonight's South Carolina District 1 Special Election

On Tuesday, voters in South Carolina’s 1st District will be heading to the polls in a special election to fill the vacant seat once held by now-Sen. Tim Scott. The race, between former GOP Gov. Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch, best known as comedian Stephen Colbert’s sister, is neck-and-neck. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up. Here’s what to watch for.
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...
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.
John Barrow

Senate Democrats Starting On The Defensive

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

How Republicans Will Try to Pin the IRS Scandal on Obama

They plan to connect the dots between the agency's chief counsel and the White House.
Unemployment

Why No One’s Winning in Washington

Republicans needed to move to the center. The Democrats needed to fix the economy. Oh well.
IRS building

Congressional Republicans Are Milking the Scandals for Everything

GOP members in both chambers finally feel like they have something to hang around the president’s neck. 
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.
Kevin MaCarthy

The GOP Energy Tent Is Slowly Getting Bigger

House members like Rep. Kevin McCarthy are still avid fossil-fuel proponents, but they’ve begun to advocate for renewables, too. 

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...
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.   
North Carolina 12

Prepare for a Special Election in the Craziest-Shaped Congressional District in the Country

If Rep. Melvin Watt winds up going to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, he'll be leaving behind an incredibly gerrymandered district in North Carolina.

New Poll Shows Snyder and Schauer Tied in Michigan

A new poll released Tuesday shows a tight gubernatorial race in Michigan, and shows Democratic Rep. Gary Peters with the early edge in the Senate race. The EPIC-MRA poll tests GOP Gov. Rick Snyder against former Democratic Rep. Mark Schauer, who has indicated he's leaning toward a bid. The two are...
Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton's Allies Come to Her Rescue Over Benghazi

Paul Begala says Republican critics are wearing 'tin foil hats'. Ann Lewis blames the right-wing.  Welcome to the 1990s.
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.
Attorney General Holder Testifies On Justice Department FY2011 Budget

Eric Holder Offers Little Information, Much Ire for Republicans

It only took Attorney General Eric Holder a few moments to make clear he wanted no part of congressional Republicans’ plans to turn his Capitol Hill appearance into a serious grilling about the scandals of the day.
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...
Cory Booker Stanford Man

Cory Booker Scores Contributions From Famous Athletes

Cory Booker is quite popular in Hollywood. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported his week that guests at a recent Los Angeles fundraiser for the Newark Mayor included Steven Spielberg and Bruce Willis. He previously has received contributions from directors Ron Howard and Rob Reiner. But Booker's big-n...

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...
tea party protest

As Washington Is Scandalized, The Tea Party Salivates

The swirl of Washington scandal offers the movement a kind of “I-told-you-so” bragging rights.
Schweitzer Stillwater

Schweitzer Elected Stillwater Chairman, Mum on Senate Run

Stillwater Mining Company, the largest public corporation in Montana and one of the state's largest employers, announced Monday that former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer was elected chairman of the company's board. He will help lead a search to replace the company's longtime CEO, Frank McAllister...
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.
300 Movie Scene

The Scene From '300' the DCCC Uses to Rally Democratic Recruits

Forget polls and talking points. Steve Israel likes to show top Democratic recruits a scene from the movie 300 to get them riled up about running for Congress.
Obama

How Obama Misread the Politics of Gun Control

Reality check: Gun-control opponents hold the upper hand politically in 2014.
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.
Mark Sanford

With a Special Election Win, Mark Sanford Completes His Comeback

Overcoming the disgrace of a bizarre extramarital affair while he was governor of South Carolina, former Rep. Mark Sanford reclaimed a seat in Congress on Tuesday by winning a special election over Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch.
Accompanied by health care professionals, President Obama speaks about health care

Obama's Legacy: A Health Care Law That Hurts His Party

Like the Iraq war tarnished the Republican brand, ObamaCare could be a long-term political millstone for Democrats.
Mark Sanford

Why South Carolina’s Election Could Matter More to Democrats

My, how things have changed. Tonight’s special election between Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch is a pure toss-up, and it’s not just the campaign’s competitiveness that’s unexpected. It’s that despite the district's heavy Republican lean, Democrats somehow have more to lose. Demo...
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.
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.
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.
Mark Sanford

How Democrats Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Super PAC

A day with House Majority PAC shows why unlimited spending is the norm, on both sides of the aisle.
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. 
Gov. Brian Schweitzer

Brian Schweitzer, the Great Progressive Hope?

Montana's former Democratic governor is liberal on health care, but more conservative on guns.
obama targeted

How the White House Scandals Could Hurt Republicans, Too

By enraging the base and strengthening the faction least willing to compromise with Obama, the IRS and Benghazi affairs could hurt a GOP shot at the presidency.
Colbert Busch

Elizabeth Colbert Busch to Mark Sanford: 'You Didn't Tell the Truth'

Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch was no pushover in her first-ever political debate, leaving Republican Mark Sanford’s personal baggage to weigh him down just eight days before the May 7 special election.

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...

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. 
Brian Schweitzer

Democrats Need Working-Class Heroes to Keep Control of Senate

For Republicans, the Senate won't be won in the deep South. They'll need to pick off blue-collar Democratic states like Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan.
Max Baucus and Dave Camp

Overhauling the Tax Code With 'Max and Dave'

Max Baucus and Dave Camp, Congress's top tax-writers, are taking their message to the Internet in hopes of building public support for their efforts.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.

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

Neither party’s Insiders expect much of an effect.
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.
*TEST*

Inside The American Crossroads And Koch Post-Mortems

Conservatives identify what went wrong in 2012 -- and how to fix their problems.
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.
Mark Zuckerberg

Is the High-Skilled Immigrant Shortage a Myth?

Mark Zuckerberg wants more high-tech geniuses from abroad, but many of the immigrants will be doing entry-level work and, unions say, lowering wages.
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...
Politically Incorrect

The Politically Incorrect Caucus: 6 Controversy-Prone House Members

Rep. Don Young's ethnically charged reference to Hispanic ranch workers as "wetbacks" on an Alaska radio program reminded us of other controversial members of the 113th Congress.
Lindsey Graham

Why Lindsey Graham's Support for Immigration Reform Isn't Popular in South Carolina

The Republican senator is still in solid position for reelection, but he has reason to worry.
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.

Second Boston Bombing Suspect Alive and in Custody

A chaotic 24-hour manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombing suspects has ended with one of the men, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, dead, and his brother and accomplice, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, captured alive. This is a breaking story and we'll keep updating throughout the night, and you can also see all of our related stories at The Atlantic Wire's Boston Marathon hub.
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.
Sarah Palin

The Group Behind the Draft Palin Movement

The Tea Party Leadership Fund wants Sarah Palin to run for Senate in Alaska. And if it raises a little money for itself in the meantime? Well, that would be just fine. There haven't been hints that the former Alaska governor will be running for office anytime soon. The Los Angeles Times took all of...
pelosi-carney

Democrats See the IRS Scandal as the Most Toxic

In triage mode, Congressional Democrats want to treat (and separate themselves from) the trio of this week's scandals one-by-one.
IMMIGRATION 508

Immigration Law May Be Tough on the Poor

Don’t expect Congress to dive too deeply into the politically unforgiving topic of how the United States treats poor people as it begins debating immigration legislation. But that question is always lurking beneath the surface.
pod thumb

Play of the Day: Targeting the Tea Party

The IRS scandal shows what government can do when its puts its mind to something.  
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...
D_Sebelius

The 'Obamacare' Rollout's 'Glitches and Bumps' Won't Doom Health Reform

Medicare Part D had them, too.
Mark Sanford

How Mark Sanford's Campaign Unraveled in the Past 48 Hours

The former South Carolina governor's messy divorce is leading to his political downfall yet again.

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...
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.
Scott Rigell, R-Va.

One Congressman, Rand Paul, the GOP, and What Ails American Politics

Rep. Scott Rigell stayed true to conservatism but was punished for his moderation and common sense.
John Kasich

Ohio Tea Party Groups Considering GOP Insurrection

The Ohio tea party's fracturing of the state GOP could be a serious worry, we noted last Friday, if the harsh rhetoric is followed by real action. Today, a report in the Columbus Dispatch shows just how bad things have gotten in the Buckeye State. Tea party groups, writes Joe Hallett, are consideri...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
John Kasich

Tea Party Groups Clash With Kasich in Ohio

Ask an Ohio Democrat about Gov. John Kasich and you'll likely hear him described as a partisan bully who caters to the extreme wing of his party with legislation that punishes the middle class. Ask a member of the Tea Party and you'll probably hear a different story. Kasich, say some conservative ac...
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.
Kentucky Tea

Why the IRS Abruptly Apologized to the Tea Party

It came as a surprise when the Internal Revenue Service apologized, seemingly out of the blue, to a number of Tea Party groups for unfairly scrutinizing their tax exempt status on Friday. Now we know why the apology came when it did.
Reince RNC Autopsy

RNC Will Host GOP Pollsters Next Week

Fewer than two months since the Republican National Committee unveiled a series of five recommendations to address inaccurate poll numbers collected during the 2012 election cycle, the RNC is inviting the party's pollsters to their headquarters on Capitol Hill next week. The gathering, set for May...
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.
denhamprofile

Democrats Land Buzzy Recruit in Another Obama-GOP House District

House Democrats have landed a recruit to run against Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., in the Central Valley's 10th Congressional District. Farmer and beekeeper Michael Eggman announced Tuesday that he will seek the seat, which was one of 17 in the country to split its votes between a Republican congressm...

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.
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.
Martin Richard

Why Boston Bombings Might Be Scarier Than 9/11

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

What it Really Means to 'Close the GOP Tech Gap'

Two obstacles the Republican National Committee must overcome that it didn't anticipate in its election post-mortem

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

A majority of Insiders say prospects are poor.

Second Democrat Mulling Miller Challenge

House Democrats landed a top-tier recruit Tuesday when Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar announced he'd mount another challenge of GOP Rep. Gary Miller, but the mayor isn't the only Democrat considering a run in California's 31st District. Attorney Eloise Reyes said Tuesday she is "absolutely" thinking of...
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.
Marco Rubio

Special Interests Shadow Immigration Reform

Supporters are fending off charges that the legislation caters to the K Street crowd.
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. 

Inside the Cover: The Coming GOP Civil War Over Climate Change

In this week's National Journal cover story, Coral Davenport explores the Republican party's relationship with climate change. In this video, get inside the story with the author herself.
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...
Barack Obama and Bob Corker

Why Obama Can Ignore the House of Representatives

By courting senators and shaping public opinion, the president thinks he can pressure lower-chamber Republicans to accept bipartisan compromises. 
Mark Sanford

GOP Runoff in South Carolina Is Mark Sanford's to Lose

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford faces another potential speed bump on his road to redemption when voters choose between him and Curtis Bostic on Tuesday for the Republican nomination in the state's 1st Congressional District.
Washington Early Voting

How We Register

If you're between the ages of 18 and 24, chances are you registered to vote when you visited the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you're over the age of 65, you probably registered to vote at some other government office.Those are the findings of a new Census Bureau survey that asked Americans how t...

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

Democratic and Republican Insiders have high hopes, but for different reasons. 
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...
Lizzie Lee

The Way to Combat Terrorism

America can persevere by embracing diversity.
Boston Marathon Runner

The Boston Bombings Could Help a State Get Beyond Its Liberal Stereotype

Massachusetts really did invent America, so stop making fun of it.
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.
Early Voting In Ohio

The Democratic Comeback To Voter ID

In Colorado, Democrats looking to liberalize voting laws to their advantage.
potd418

Play of the Day: Obama the Travel Planner

Fast forward to 3:00 to see why Obama isn’t concerned with the ricin letter sent to him.
Capitol dome

The Week That Kicked Off The Battle For The Senate

Republicans in position to take back the upper chamber, if they can avoid self-destructive tendencies.
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.

Whitaker Prepares For Senate Bid While Awaiting King's Decision

Iowa Republicans may not have a Senate candidate yet, but former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker is readying to fill the void if Rep. Steve King takes a pass on the race. "It's smart to take steps to move forward no matter what [King's] decision is," Whitaker said. "At some point in time the race needs...
Immigrants out of the shadows

The 8 Senators Who Hold Immigration Reform in the Balance

A look at the positioning of key conservative senators and how the legislation is faring with the GOP base.
Gun Sale

The 5 Republicans Who Got Away on Background Checks

These GOP senators once looked like winnable votes in the gun-control showdown, but this week they emerged in opposition.
Obama gun control

At Pivotal Point in Presidency, Obama Routed on Gun Control

But GOP victory could backfire if voters revolt.
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.
Romney family

The Romneys, The Family That Just Can’t Quit Politics

Mitt may be out of politics, but his family isn't.
Before she moved to North Carolina, Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., was a nurse in the surgical intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital in the Detroit area.

The Odd Jobs of Members of Congress -- PICTURES

Before they were elected, members of Congress held their fair share of odd jobs. Here is a look at some of the more interesting ways prominent officeholders earned paychecks before they came to Washington.
Harry Reid

Sparks, Politics, and Amendments Will Fly in Vote-a-Rama

Senators will offer a raft of amendments Friday as the chamber debates its first budget in 4 years, taking advantage of the rare chance to force the opposing party into an unlimited number of tough votes.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Politicians Who Snatched Victory After Defeat -- Pictures

The road to success--and often, to a seat in Congress--is paved with failure. Here is a look at some of the prominent officeholders who suffered miserable losses at earlier points in their careers, only to rally and win later elections.
Mark Sanford

Mark Sanford's Sex Scandal Survival Guide

The former governor violated all the rules of political comebacks, but he won a solidly-Republican seat anyway.
Obama Speaks about Economy

Blacks and Hispanics More Optimistic About Economy Than Whites

Despite significant wealth and income gaps, and higher than average unemployment rates, Hispanics and African-Americans are more optimistic about their economic prospects and the direction of the country than whites, recent polls show.
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...
Chellie Pingree

15 Things You Didn't Know About Members of Congress -- PICTURES

How well do you know the 535 members of Congress? Here are a few things you may not have heard about some of them, courtesy of The Almanac of American Politics.
Sen. Tim Johnson

Report: Johnson to Retire, Setting Off Open-Seat Race

If Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson announces his retirement Tuesday as expected, it will trigger a fierce open-seat race in heavily Republican South Dakota that could attract some of the state's biggest political names. The wire service Reuters reported Monday that Johnson is not planning to seek reele...
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.
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...
PEOPLE-Comics2

Life in Politics Can Be Comic

While tens of thousands of people make a living in politics, Darren Davis seems to have discovered a niche in political comics.
Landrieu and Pryor

Two Southern Democrats, Two Different Votes on Guns

How gun votes will affect Sens. Mark Pryor and Mary Landrieu in 2014.
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.
Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Airing Ads On Minnesota TV

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., has purchased TV advertising time for the next two weeks with a Minneapolis station, according to filings with the Federal Communications Commission. Beginning Thursday, Bachmann's campaign will air 31 30-second spots on KMSP, a local Fox affiliate, for $14,565 over...
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...
Heritage Foundation

The Political War Over Think Tanks

The Heritage Foundation's fight with critics over its immigration report shows how politicized the battle over research has become.
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. 
Mark Sanford voting

VoteVets Adds to TV Onslaught Against Mark Sanford

VoteVets Action Fund released a new television spot targeting former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford on Monday, adding to the Democratic onslaught against the Republican nominee, just two weeks before the special election in the state's 1st Congressional District. While recent ads by other Democ...
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...

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.
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.
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...
S&P Headquarters

S&P Warns Congress of Risks of Political Brinkmanship on Debt

The group's top analyst for the U.S. government's credit rating says making big fiscal decisions in a crisis setting raises chances of another downgrade.

How Achievable Are the Immigration Plan's Border-Security Goals?

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Kids at the opening day of the 112th Congress #2

Congress: The Next Generation

Former lawmakers are helping their children in so many races this year that we might as well dub next Election Day Take Your Kid to Congress Day. Republican businessman Mike Collins announced Thursday that he'll run for Rep. Paul Broun's open seat in Georgia. Funny enough, his father, former Rep. M...
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.

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

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

Hillary Watch: Her Book, the Mark Penn Test, and James Carville Signs On

It may still be only 2013, but Hillary Rodham Clinton's last week has plenty of people thinking more about 2016. Here's the latest on what could be the start of a presidential campaign.
gun store

Explaining the Gender Gap On Gun Control

Most women support strengthening gun laws, compared with fewer than half of men.
Mark Pryor

In the Aftermath of Gun-Bill Loss in Senate, Liberals Put Incumbent Democrats on Notice

After last week’s failed gun-control vote in the Senate, in which a handful of moderate Democrats defected from their party, a coalition of progressive groups is warning those at-risk incumbents to start avoiding votes that make them look too conservative.

Poll: Which Senate Seats Are Likeliest to Flip?

Insiders say those of Democrats Tim Johnson and Jay Rockefeller are the most vulnerable.
buzzfeed gop 2

The New House Republican Web Strategy: Just Add BuzzFeed

What do cat pictures and GIFs have to do with Republican politics? Not a whole lot, at least right now. But beginning next week, that'll change.
gun control

The Gun Control Targets: States Where Laws Have Passed

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

Newly Engaged Obama Makes Slow, Uncertain Progress on Agenda

Deals are within reach on guns, immigration, and even deficit reduction.
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...

Cook Political Moves Five Gov. Races Toward GOP, Three Toward Democrats

The Cook Political Report made ratings changes in eight gubernatorial races. Here is a breakdown. Toward The GOP: Texas Governor -- Toss Up to Lean R: GOP Gov. Rick Perry has successfully turned back a very competitive challenge from former Houston Mayor Bill White. Georgia Governor -- Toss Up t...

Cook Political Moves Seven Dems Into More Vulnerable Territory

The Cook Political Report on Tuesday moved seven incumbent House Democrats from Solid Democrat to Likely Democrat. They are: MA-06 Rep. John Tierney NJ-06 Rep. Frank Pallone NC-04 Rep. David Price OH-10 Rep. Dennis Kucinich OR-04 Rep. Peter DeFazio TN-05 Rep. Jim Cooper TX-25 Rep. Lloy...

Cook Political Ups Projected Democratic Losses To 48 to 60

The Cook Political Report's pre-election House outlook is a Democratic net loss of 48 to 60 seats, with higher losses possible. A turnover of just 39 seats would tip majority status into Republican hands. The midterm maelstrom pulling House Democrats under shows no signs of abating, if anything it h...
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.
Sunlight Drones

April Fools! Using the Day of Hijinks to Advance a Message

Leave it to the wonks and activists who work in Washington to turn an occasion for hijinks into a chance to further what they do every day: Attack their opponents and peddle their causes.
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.
hydraulic fracturing

Proposed 'Fracking' Rules Anger Environmentalists, Annoy Industry

The Obama administration on Thursday unveiled a new proposal for its first major regulation of hydraulic fracturing on public lands, attempting to address at least a portion of the controversial drilling practice that’s unlocked vast new supplies of U.S. oil and gas but has also raised fears about its environmental impact, particularly on local water supplies.
Hillary Clinton

Play of the Day: A Look at 2016

Fast forward to 3:10 to see Fallon compare the two on important issues.
Mitch McConnell

Did Anyone Bug Mitch McConnell's Office?

The Kentucky Senate race has taken a turn for the whodunit.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino

What You Need to Know About Boston Mayor Thomas Menino

A popular five-term mayor, he faces the biggest crisis of his 20-year tenure.
ap

Mark Pryor May Soon Have A Bloomberg Problem

Mayors Against Illegal Guns mulls months-long campaign against Democratic senator.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev

Was the Ball Dropped in the Tsarnaev Questioning?

To paraphrase Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz: This is our @#$&%! Constitution.
Marco Rubio

How Republicans Can Win Over Their Party on Immigration

It’s a combination of charm and fear tactics. Republican defenders of an immigration overhaul are talking up their ability to write into law a tough enforcement strategy.
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...
Newborn Babies and Mortality

Average Unwed Mom? See Her Characteristics

The demographics of unmarried women who have children are changing.
Federal building in Cincinnati that houses the IRS

4 Political Takeaways from the IRS Inspector General's Report

Report paints a culture of incompetence within the tax-collecting agency.
William Taft

Play of the Day: Notable Political Weight Loss

Fast forward to 3:20 to see how Christie’s weight loss compares to other famous politicians.
Would an 'Angry' Obama Be More Successful?

Humility or Cynicism? Whatever is Driving Obama is Better Than Nothing

Obama’s sudden burst of public outreach coincides with a drop in his approval ratings.
Gina Raimondo

EMILY's List Sets Sights on Statehouses in 2014

Record numbers of women were elected to Congress last year, many of them Democrats bolstered by EMILY's List. Now, the Democratic women's group is turning its eye to executive positions ahead of the 2014 midterms, hoping to expand the thin ranks of Democratic women governors. Congress will remain a...
Sen. Rand Paul

Rand Paul Will Be the First Presidential Contender to Visit All 3 Early Primary States

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky will be the first potential 2016 contender to touch base in all three of the states hosting the earliest nominating contests, revealing raw electoral ambitions to surpass his father’s standing as a tea-party leader.
Mitt Romney

Insiders Weigh in On Hispanics and the GOP

National Journal's Political Insiders panel lacks confidence Congress and the president will reverse the sequestration spending cuts that took effect on March 1, this week's Insiders Poll shows. Meanwhile, Republicans believe their party in 2014 will earn a greater share of the Hispanic vote than their presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, did last year. According to exit polls, Romney won just 27 percent of Hispanics, who accounted for 10 percent of the electorate.
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