All DC Decoder
- What is 'conservative realism,' and can it push Rand Paul to White House?
Sen. Rand Paul, a presumed Republican candidate for president in 2016, spoke of 'conservative realism' in a speech this week. It is one prong of his strategy to attract voters beyond the Republican base.
- How women voters are scrambling Senate races – in both directions
In Colorado and New Hampshire, women voters are moving toward the Republican. In Georgia and Iowa, they're moving toward the Democrat.
- Do women voters favor women candidates? Not really, Iowa shows.
Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Staci Appel are trying to become the first women to be elected to Congress from Iowa. But their different approaches to the milestone point to an underlying truth for women in politics.
- Ebola and the politics of fear
From Johnson's 'Daisy Girl' ad to Reagan's Soviet bear, politicians have been trying to scare voters to the polls for decades. Now, Ebola is handing candidates an arresting talking point.
- In Senate races, little talk of Ferguson. Will that hurt black voter turnout?
African-Americans are engaged in intense discussions about the race and justice issues raised this summer. But the Senate candidates – many in tight races that could determine control of the chamber – aren’t talking about Ferguson.
- Yes, conservatives watch Fox – but it's more nuanced than that, survey finds
Polarized media consumption has helped fuel partisanship in politics. But at the same time, a Pew survey finds that Americans – even on the left or right – aren’t isolated in ideological bubbles.
- North Carolina on track to have costliest Senate race ever
The flood of advertising dollars into North Carolina symbolizes the growing influence of outside groups in political campaigns. Overall spending for the Senate race in the Tar Heel State could surpass $100 million.
- Monica Lewinsky joins Twitter: Why that's bad news for Hillary Clinton 2016
Monica Lewinsky has re-entered public life, again. Why the former White House intern's return could pose a problem for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
- Sharp divide in how key voters view US government's Ebola response
Republican voters in electoral battleground states have far less confidence in US efforts to fight Ebola than do Democrats, a new poll shows.
- Eight races where candidates actually want to campaign with Obama
President Obama has stuck to private fundraisers so far this campaign season. But on Sunday, he heads to Maryland and Chicago to stump publicly for Democrats, and will campaign for six more.
- Is Ebola Obama’s Katrina moment? No and yes
Critics say Ebola is President Obama's Katrina – a major disaster poorly handled. The administration has acknowledged missteps in its handling of Ebola. But the comparison is thin.
- FocusJoni Ernst faces big problem in Iowa Senate race: women voters
Republican Joni Ernst is trying to become the first woman elected to Congress from Iowa. But in her Senate race – like others nationwide – women voters could be a lifeline for the Democrats.
- Iowa Senate race: Has Joni Ernst gained an edge with positive ads?
Negative ads are still the norm in political campaigns, but the Iowa Senate race has highlighted when and how positive ads can work.
- Election 2014: Democrats' hidden agenda in House battle
Democrats have pulled back from races to take over Republican seats and are focused on saving seats they already have. But in battle for the House, they're also looking ahead to 2016.
- Long-term unemployment falling: How much credit for Obama?
The number of long-term unemployed has fallen by 900,000 since December, the White House says. Many economists say President Obama’s efforts at fiscal stimulus have helped.
- How did Senate races in Georgia, New Hampshire become too close to call?
New polls show an underdog Democrat in Georgia and an underdog Republican in New Hampshire close on the heels of the Senate favorites in the two states.
- Chris Christie sinking in New Jersey: Trouble for 2016?
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie is increasingly unpopular in his home state, a new poll shows. That could take away a key selling point for the presidency, as it did for Mitt Romney.
- Chaos in the Senate race: Why 2014 is getting so hard to predict
With independent candidates making strong showings in South Dakota and Kansas, as well as the possibility of a runoff election in Louisiana or Georgia, control of the Senate may not be decided until well after Nov. 4.
- Election 2014: Obama woos Millennials at 'tech incubator'
Young adults are critical to Democrats' chances in Nov. 4 midterms. President Obama will acknowledge their job and student-debt woes, while touting gains in health coverage and employment.