NJ Topics Politics

Rep. Peter Roskam

Peter Roskam Beefs Up Political Operation, Aims for Bigger National Profile

Rep. Peter Roskam’s chief of staff is moving over to run his boss' leadership PAC and reelection campaign.
Polling the Path to Citizenship

Americans Split on Linking Border Security and Citizenship in Immigration Reform

Poll shows sharp demographic divisions over how secure the border is now.
Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson: Home Brewer

The third president of the United States of America made malt liquor. And he was kind of a snob about it.
Scott Walker's victory party

Is Scott Walker the GOP's Sleeper Presidential Candidate?

As a potential contender for the Republican presidential nomination, the Wisconsin governor looks good on paper.
Border

Should U.S. or Local Authorities Judge Border's Security? Americans Divided

Bare plurality thinks responsibility sits with DHS, and only 13 percent would give the power to Congress.
San Diego State University

How to Transcend, Not Reinforce, Class Distinctions at College

Compact for Success, an innovative program near San Diego, found a way to get more minority and low-income students into college. 
holder obama

Why PRISM is Different and Scarier Than Other NSA Spying

The latest surveillance program in the news is the most intrusive, and investigating who leaked it will be a stiff test of administration restraint.
Fireworks and Flag

Is a Sequester Tipping Point Coming?

When spending cuts went into effect in March the world didn't end. Sequestration was overhyped and the deluge never came. But it may begin to pour this summer.
Eric and Diana Cantor

For Billionaire Ron Perelman, Cantor’s Wife Is Just Latest Board Pick From Political World

The financial and major donor has a long history of putting the politically connected on his payroll.
JOLTS

The One Chart That Shows Just How Stuck Our Economy Is

The number of unemployed workers in every industry far outpaces the number of available jobs.
Geomagnetic Storm

The Biggest Threat to the Economy Could Come From Outer Space

Forget asset bubbles, recessions, or hurricanes—space weather could prove far more economically harmful.
Tom Corbett

Next Stop In Abortion Debate: Pennsylvania

After the social wars of the 1990s and the "war on women" last year, you might be forgiven for thinking the abortion debate was moving out of electoral politics. But that's not the case; expect a big debate over abortion rights in Pennsylvania next year. That's because Gov. Tom Corbett on Monday si...
Faith and Freed Coalition Road to Majority conference

Welcome to Camp Grassroots

Every year thousands of average Republicans spend thousands of dollars to attend conservative conferences, some several times per year. But why?
Supreme Court

Supreme Court to Arizona: No, You Cannot Ask Voters to Prove Citizenship

The federal government requires a simple signature to ensure a voter's citizenship. Now, states can't preempt that.
dna

The Myriad Decision Is Huge Because Genetic Medicine Is About to Explode

Costs for genetic testing might reach $25 billion by 2021.
James Comey

FBI Nominee James Comey's Unbelievable Hospital Drama, in His Own Words

Washington is rarely as exciting as TV political dramas may make you think. What happened to FBI Director nominee James Comey on March 10, 2004, is an exception.
Pat Quinn

How to Piss Off a Governor: Lessons From Two States

Two object lessons in how state party leaders in New York and Illinois are blocking their governor's plans.
Barack Obama

Economy Expectations May Be Giving Obama a Lift

The recovery may be offsetting any recent controversies that would otherwise hurt the president's approval rating. 
Edward Snowden

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

Democrats are divided, but Republican Insiders say he's gone too far.
FISA Applications Since Patriot Act

Every Secret Court Order for Your Data, Since the Patriot Act

FISA requests peaked in 2007 before dropping steeply, but now the binge has resumed.
AP996720973166

What Is Going On in Istanbul?

Images of the erupting protests on the streets of Turkey's largest city
Google

Google, Facebook to DOJ: Let Us Publish the Number of FISA Requests You Make

Google's top lawyer is asking Washington to let the company expand its transparency report to include secret court orders.
Michele Bachmann

Reality Check: Bachmann Retirement All About Politics

The controversial lawmaker faced a tough reelection in a solidly Republican district.

Inside the Cover: How America Lost Its Nerve

In this video, get inside this week's National Journal cover story with the author himself.
Syria

Slip-Sliding Toward Obama’s Third War

The president "owns Syria now," but does he realize it?
Florida flag

Report: Fla. Dems Are Leaving Their Registration Advantage on the Table

The Hispanic and African-American populations in Florida are booming and Democrats are reaping most of the benefits, according to some fascinating statistics compiled by Democratic strategist Steve Schale on his blog last week. The data is just another example of the Republican Party's struggle to r...
Obamacare Proponent

Why 'Obamacare' Is Good for Entrepreneurs

A new study estimates that the health care law will allow 1.5 million Americans to leave corporate jobs and start their own businesses.
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.
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.
Mark Udall during a Q&A session

Udall Bucks the Anti-Dem Trend in Colorado Poll

In a new Quinnipiac University poll filled with bad trends for Gov. John Hickenlooper, poor ratings for President Obama, and lackluster early numbers for 2016 Democratic presidential contenders, Sen. Mark Udall's, D-Colo., approval ratings stand out as a possible bright spot for his party. The firs...
Newspaper

How Editorial Boards Are Taking the NSA News

Here's a look at how some of the country's biggest papers view the burgeoning scandal.
Immigration protest

Mounting Signs of GOP Rebellion Against Immigration Reform

Despite Marco Rubio's push for comprehensive reform, most Republicans aren't listening.
Atlanta's BeltLine

The Mammoth Building Plan to Make Atlanta More Green

The BeltLine will reclaim 22 miles of railroad, lay down 33 miles of walkable trails, encircle 45 neighborhoods, and cost $3 billion dollars. 
Marco Rubio and Rep. Michael Burgess

Rubio Stares Down the Right Over 'Undocumented Democrats'

For all the talk about borders and guest workers, the real problem for conservatives is voting rights for undocumented immigrants who could be legalized by reform.
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.
GOP Presidential Debate in Sioux City

What Michele Bachmann Taught Women About Running for President

Her candidacy holds lessons about everything from religion and makeup to the wrong way to seem tough.
CHAIRS

Two Defense-Panel Chairmen Are Tightly Bonded

House Armed Services' Buck McKeon and Defense Appropriations' Bill Young maintain a genuine mutual respect and a cooperative spirit in their roles in authorizing and appropriating roughly a half-trillion dollars in defense funding.
Gabriel Gomez

Gabriel Gomez Getting Help From Super PAC

Newly-formed group spending over a half-million for Republican's Senate campaign in Massachusetts.
Marco Rubio

Republicans Walk Immigration Tightrope

As the Senate debates a sweeping overhaul, some Republicans worry about being stuck between a rock and border fence.

Curbelo Inches Closer to Entering South Fla. House Race

The headlines have not been kind toward Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., over the past two weeks, and they could get uglier later this month with a viable Republican challenger looking more likely to get into the race. Carlos Curbelo, a former political consultant and member of the Miami-Dade School board,...
Rick Scott

Florida Governor's Immigration Veto Predicted to Set Off 'Anti-Hispanic Bomb'

Still seeking to placate conservatives, Rick Scott vetoed an immigration bill that passed the Legislature in overwhelming votes.
INTERNET USAGE

In 5 Years, Half of All Earthlings Will Be on the Internet

It's about to get a lot more crowded in here.
Galup

Gallup Post Mortem Leads To Polling Changes

The world's best-known polling firm has 4 reasons for why they badly miscalculated the election outcome.  
Priebus

Why Republicans Can Get Away With Ignoring Their Problems

The GOP can enjoy another strong midterm election in 2014 without doing much more to attract young or minority voters.
Twitter on Phone

NSA Spying Scandal: 2006 or 2013?

This isn't the first time that the National Security Agency has come under scrutiny for securing the phone records of millions of Americans.
Rand Paul and Marco Rubio

Strange Bedfellows: Why Marco Rubio and Rand Paul Need Each Other

Rand Paul and Marco Rubio may soon go head-to-head in a fierce competition for the Republican presidential nomination. But a funny thing happened on the way to the White House: The would-be rivals have found themselves in a bromance, each of them needing to bask in each other's glow for their own political purposes.
Hillary Clinton

Why Democrats Are Already Jumping Aboard the Hillary Clinton Bandwagon

Claire McCaskill's endorsement was a bow to reality: No Democrat wants to challenge Clinton in 2016.

Are Republicans Warming to Climate Change?

Maybe a little bit, according to a recent Gallup poll showing increased concern over global warming among Republicans, many of whom have in the past considered climate change a false threat. Those looking for reasons to worry can turn to the the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Summary for Policymakers, which lists several global warming hazards driving public concerns. If carbon emissions continue to outstrip environmental goals such as the 2009 Copenhagen Accord, the likelihood of these threats will grow.
Sen. Mark Begich, R-Alaska, skipped college after his father, former Alaskan State Senator Nick Begich, was killed in a plane crash.

Treadwell To Announce Against Begich

The Alaska lieutenant governor's entry into the race gives Republicans a potentially strong candidate in a deeply red state.
google eric schmidt

Google's Eric Schmidt Is Pouring 'Millions' Into Progressive Big Data

The new analytics firm has pledged to serve only liberal causes. Can it keep its commitment?
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. 
Rogers, Amash

Collision Averted for GOP Rivals Rogers and Amash (But Their Animosity Lives On)

Justin Amash has been spoiling for a showdown with his fellow Michigander Mike Rogers since the day he arrived in Washington.
Gabriel Gomez

Republicans Begging for Money to Put Massachusetts Senate Seat In Play

Despite polls showing the race competitive, GOP outside groups aren't buying.
Domino's Pizza

Domino’s Pizza Delivers Big for Eric Cantor

As the pizza giant's stock soared, Eric Cantor's wife sat on Domino's board of directors and made off with a financial windfall.
INDUSTRY

Defense Industry Focused on Sequestration

No one has been able to successfully wrangle Congress into reaching a grand bargain to reduce the deficit. But it’s not for lack of trying.
State of Same-Sex Marriage: Map

State of Rainbow Spring: 12 States Allow Same-Sex Marriage, as Illinois Debates

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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.
kid cake

What Happens When Children in Colorado Find Their Grandparents' Pot Brownies

 "Special" sugary treats for "Pop-Pop only." And you expect the kids not to steal them?
Romney campaign

Why the Republicans Aren’t Giving Up on White Folks

Learning the lessons of 2012 meant diversifying the GOP’s base. But whites still hold the key to retaking the Senate in 2014. 

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

Most Insiders say their own party is doing well.
Lois Lerner

Why Is it So Hard to Fire a Low-Performing Government Employee?

Federal officials of the Gilded Age created the civil service as way to insulate government workers from the influence of politics, but in the IRS scandal, politics played a role in the targeting.

Bloomberg Group Dropping $350K On Pryor

Mayors Against Illegal Guns launched a new ad targeting Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., hoping to persuade a key Democrat to reverse himself on gun control legislation. But the ad might just have the opposite effect. The ad features a female, African-American narrator who says her friend was shot and ki...
Tom Steyer

TransCanada Steps Up Defense of Keystone XL Pipeline

Faced with formidable opposition from environmentalists, TransCanada is redoubling its efforts to rebut claims made against its flagship project.
farm- drought- farm bill

Are All Government Handouts Created Equal?

One member of Congress feels comfortable railing against food stamps while taking a government subsidy of his own.
Medea Benjamin

Who Is Medea Benjamin, and Why Is She So Good at Heckling Public Officials?

The cofounder of CODEPINK also has interrupted NRA speeches. 
Reince Priebus

How Reince Priebus Crossed the Line

By arguing Obama is part of "lawlessness," he's undermining the credibility of the opposition.
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...
Rick Scott

Poll: Rick Scott Makes Gains in Florida

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is in a better position to be reelected today than he was just three months ago, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday morning. The survey shows him with his highest-ever approval and favorability ratings and making gains on his highest-profile potent...
Markey

Senate Race in Massachusetts Features First Real ‘Climate Candidate’

In his quest to become the next senator from Massachusetts, Democratic Rep. Edward Markey is doing something that’s never been done before: campaigning for national office on the signature issue of climate change.
Barbara Buono

N.J. Senate Race Adds to Buono's Uphill Prospects in Governor's Race

The race to replace the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., has dominated the headlines in the Garden State over the last week. Cory Booker launched his campaign Saturday, with an assist from Bill Bradley. Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone jumped into the race Monday. Rep. Rush Holt, another Democrat, g...
Beto O'Rourke

This Indie Rocker-Turned-Congressman Is Ready to Make His Name on Immigration Reform

Beto O'Rourke represents the southern most part of Texas ... and the northern most part of Mexico.
Ronald Machen, Jr.

Meet Obama's Leak Plumber

As U.S. Attorney, Ronald Machen has labeled a Fox News reporter a co-conspirator. He may even get a crack at Edward Snowden. 
Obama

The Diminishing Returns of Big-Data Campaigning

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

Edward Snowden Is Completely Wrong

Whether he's a hero or traitor, Americans are already so acclimated to the loss of privacy that his revelations won't unnerve them much. 
Kay Hagan

Will North Carolina Shape the Future of the Senate?

The race there could go a long way to determining whether Republicans or Democrats control the upper chamber in 2015. 
IRS building

Play of the Day: The IRS Says 'Lets Dance!'

Fast forward to 3:20 to see the some possible jobs for Holder, based on "his look."
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.
Rick Perry

The Rick Perry Tea Leaves

The Texas legislature is holding a special session to consider another round of redistricting, but pols at the state Capitol in Austin are more interested in the answer to that other burning question: Is Gov. Rick Perry running for a fourth term? Conventional wisdom holds that the longest continuou...
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.

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.
Darrell Issa

Issa Stirs Echoes of McCarthy as Obama's 'Best Friend' in IRS Probe

Chief GOP investigator doesn't know when to let damning facts speak for themselves.
Chris Christie

Three Signs Republicans Haven't Learned Any Lessons From 2012

After their drubbing in 2012, Republicans vowed to change their ways. But as 2013 wears on, they're sticking to the script that got them in trouble. 
jerry moran

Senate Republicans Tiptoe Around Activist Base

GOP candidates have lost in at least 6 states over the last two election cycles.
Congressional Baseball Game

The Most Contested Turf in Congress Isn’t Where You Think

Democrats have spent recent years thrashing Republicans on the baseball diamond. Now the GOP thinks it found its secret weapons. 
Marco Rubio

The Two Faces of Marco Rubio

He's trying to be both a high-level negotiator and a disappointed populist. With the immigration bill, he’ll eventually have to choose.

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."
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
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper

James Clapper Clarifies Remarks Over NSA Snooping

Director of national intelligence clarifies remarks over NSA snooping, says Benghazi culprits were a "mixed bag."
White House Press

Hey, Reporters, Republicans Have Some Tips

Stumped about what questions you should ask White House press secretary Jay Carney at the next briefing? Fear not, D.C. media. Even though it may be your job to come up with questions, major Republican groups have some suggestions for you.
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.
Mark Prior ad

Friendly Fire: Democratic Senator Blasts Obama in First Campaign Ad

Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor declares his independence from Washington, blasts Bloomberg in spot.
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.
Chris Murphy

Senate Democrats Change The Guard

Younger, more progressive senators are taking over the party.

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.  
rubio

Conservatives Split on Citizenship Path in Immigration Bill

When it comes to dealing with the millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, there remains a persistent—and intense—disagreement within the GOP.
Committees-ENERGY

A Bipartisan Energy Committee Stuck in a Partisan Senate

None of the many bills passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources panel this year have become law.
Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann Could Follow a Well-Worn Path to Punditry

The Minnesota Republican will have a glide path from firebrand public official to handsomely paid pundit when she retires at the end of this term.
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.
Lincoln Chafee

Lincoln Chafee: A Party-Switcher Without Many Friends

Unlike most party-switchers, Rhode Island governor's move was out of desperation.
Rick Perry

Texas Could End Up Leading the Country on Electronic Privacy

A bill waiting for Gov. Rick Perry's signature would set up even stricter protections for user data than current federal law.
bachmann

Failed Long-Shot Presidential Candidates Like Michele Bachmann Tend to Disappear

Do you remember Jim Gilmore? Exactly.
guitars

What Does the IRS Scandal Say About a 2011 Guitar Raid?

Rep. Marsha Blackburn sees conservatives being targeted everywhere.
 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.
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.
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.
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.
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...

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

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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.

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.
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.
Roy Blunt

Why the GOP Isn't Attacking Obama Over Data Collection

Recent reports that showed the breadth of the government’s secret information-gathering have divided congressional Republicans.

Poll: How Damaging Is the IRS Controversy to Obama?

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

The Reason Mike Rogers Won’t Run for Senate

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., is under pressure from Republican power brokers to run for the Senate next year. The party loyalist in him is considering it. But to everyone around Rogers, the move just doesn’t add up.
Christie's Faces Big Choice After Lautenberg Death

Chris Christie, at a Crossroads

In appointing Frank Lautenberg's successor, the New Jersey governor needs to decide whether he wants to help Senate Republicans, or his own reelection.
Obama

Obama Distances Himself From Bush Foreign Policy Legacy

Even though he followed many of his predecessor's counterterrorism policies, Obama wants to move on.
Rick Scott and Charlie Crist

Republicans Scramble to Save Governor in Florida Battleground

Gov. Rick Scott is preparing for a highly contentious race against former Gov. Charlie Crist.
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.
radio

Can Talk Radio, Again, Derail Immigration Reform? Probably Not.

What happens when 46 conservative hosts broadcast from one D.C. hotel.
Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio to Address House Conservatives on Immigration Reform

Closed-door summit will be early test for senator to win over immigration skeptics.
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.
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...
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.
Obama

How Obama Misread the Politics of Gun Control

Reality check: Gun-control opponents hold the upper hand politically in 2014.
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.
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.
Syria Civil War

How America Lost Its Nerve

Policymakers used to believe in a forceful projection of American authority. But after Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, they are turning inward. 
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.
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.
Unemployment

Why No One’s Winning in Washington

Republicans needed to move to the center. The Democrats needed to fix the economy. Oh well.
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.
Aaron Schock

The 20 Youngest Members of Congress -- Pictures

View our gallery of the 20 youngest members of Congress. All ages are current as of August 1, 2011.
Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann's 5 Most Quotable Soundbites

The Minnesota congresswoman knew how to get attention, for all the wrong reasons.
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.
U.S.-Mexico Border

Why the Immigration Plan Really Could Give Us Border Security

The "Gang of Eight" plan is encouraging news for legalization advocates, but first there’s the little issue of securing the border.

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. 
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?
John Barrow

Senate Democrats Starting On The Defensive

Facing a difficult landscape in 2014, Democrats having trouble recruiting for Republican-held seats.
Supreme Court Prop 8

4 Cases the Supreme Court Must Still Decide

With a little less than a month remaining in the current Supreme Court term, several major cases are still outstanding that could have widespread political impact.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial

How We Could Do More For Our Vets

We need to go into debt to pay our debt to U.S. veterans to make sure they get the care and services we owe them.
Obama and Christie meet and greet

Jersey Shore Reunion: What's in It for Obama and Christie?

The president and the GOP governor get together on the coast for a visit freighted with politics.
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.
Don't Tread on Me Flag

Tea Party Victims Detail Intimidation, Claim Vindication

The tax collector's actions confirm the worst fears of conservatives.
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.
Rep. Steve Israel

Why D.C. Democrats Can Still Pick Sides in Primaries

Washington Democrats aren't afraid to play favorites in House primaries. That's an unavoidable (and sometimes desired) effect of efforts like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Jumpstart" program, which gives early financial and organizational backing to promising challengers in Repu...
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.

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...
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.   
bush

Play of the Day: The New $100 Bill

Fast forward to 3:55 to see Jimmy Fallon show audiences how the White House is using Vine.
Marco Rubio

Senate Gears Up for Floor Fight on Immigration

Following a scheduled vote on its farm bill, the Senate this week will press ahead with major legislation to legalize 11 million undocumented immigrants.
Rep. Darrell Issa

Top Republicans Let Darrell Issa Off the Leash

When Darrell Issa called Jay Carney a "paid liar" this week, his critics figured he'd finally gone too far—that his one-step-ahead-of-the-facts rhetoric would force Republicans to rein him in. They figured wrong.
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.
Marty Barron

Is Marty Baron the Man to Fix The Washington Post?

The paper's new executive editor avoids new-media buzzwords, abhors self-promotion, and espouses traditional journalistic values. In a changing world where Web is swiftly displacing print, is that what The Post needs?
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.
E.W. Jackson

Can You Still Win an Election If You’re Against Gay People?

A candidate for lieutenant governor in Virginia who might have done well a decade ago now faces an increasingly tolerant electorate. 
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.
John Boehner, Eric Cantor

Republican Blueprint for 2014? Scandal, Most of the Time

Republicans are downplaying the need to retool the party, anticipating Obama's second-term struggles.
Obama

The 1 Chart That Could Sever Obama's Coalition

Continuing economic dissatisfaction could dissolve the powerful electoral coalition that powered both of President Obama's victories.

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...
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.

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...
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.
Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz's Path From George W. Bush Adviser to Immigration Reform Opponent

Republican critics scoff at Cruz's opposition to a pathway to citizenship.
IRS

State of Play: Where the IRS Case Stands After 3 Hearings

Three IRS hearings are in the books. Two senior IRS officials are on their way out. And one key witness has invoked the Fifth Amendment. Here are the story lines to follow next.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer

Brian Schweitzer, the Great Progressive Hope?

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

Back in Session, Congress Returns Attention to IRS

Congress returns from a weeklong recess with inquiries into the Internal Revenue Service still atop its agenda, as three more hearings have been set and a lawsuit has been filed in federal court.
Ed Markey

New Mass. Senate Polls a Mixed Bag for Both Candidates

Two new polls released in the last 18 hours show Democratic Rep. Edward Markey with a 7-point lead over Republican Gabriel Gomez in the June 25 special election in Massachusetts for the Senate seat previously held by Secretary of State John Kerry. Though the polls do contain good news for Gomez -- p...
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.
SERVICE

Legislative Comrades-in-Arms Tend to Put Politics Aside

A long line of former active-duty military personnel have sought an Armed Services Committee post after winning election to Congress. Each brings something that can’t be taught to nonveterans: first-person knowledge.
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...
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.
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...

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.
cd-081202-ap-capitol-vistor-center-440

Capitol Visitors Center Reopened; Police on Lookout for Massachusetts Car

Law enforcement authorities in Washington Friday morning confirmed there has been an alert put out for the area – including Capitol Hill -- for a 1999 Gray Honda CRV with Massachusetts license plates.
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.
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.
Michael Bennet and Mark Udall

Colorado's Forgotten Senate Race

It has all the trademarks of a battleground. But Colorado, home of Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, is turning into the forgotten race of 2014.
Boston suspect search

1 Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect Is Dead, 1 On the Loose in Watertown

Following a chaotic night of mayhem and a police shootout, one of the two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings was shot and killed by police. The second suspect is on the loose and police are actively searching the area of Watertown, Mass.

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...
Obama and youth vote

Could a Maryland Town Allow 16-Year-Olds to Vote?

One Maryland town wades into a national debate over when citizens are old enough to cast ballots.
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.
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.
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