All DC Decoder
- Why China will unseat US as world's largest economy by year's end
By one measure, China's economy is set to outpace that of the United States by the end of the 2014, according to the latest annual report from the International Monetary Fund.
- Barack who? Democrats flee Obama in Tuesday Senate debates.
Republicans hammered Democrats in Tuesday's Senate debates for their ties to President Obama, even if they hadn't served in Washington. Some Democrats took the bait, others didn't.
- Election 2014 boasts a bumper crop of political dynasties
From Michelle Nunn, David Perdue, and Jason Carter in Georgia to Sen. Mark Pryor in Arkansas, a bumper crop of political scions are running for office. In the case of Democrats in red states, the family name may be key to staying competitive.
- FocusHas politics lost its 'human touch'? Louisiana Senate race is test case.
For the parties, getting people to vote is all about marrying voter data and high-tech capabilities with a human touch: interaction with voters – on the phone, at their door, via snail mail. Here's how this is happening in the Louisiana Senate race.
- Gay marriage: Will Supreme Court drive angry voters to polls?
Conservatives are furious that the US Supreme Court has overturned gay marriage bans in five states, with others to follow. They are putting out voter guides and knocking on doors.
- Gay marriage: How Supreme Court bombshell could affect midterm elections
Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage cases, a big move that changes the complexion of American politics on a divisive social issue. If a candidate is out of step with his or her state, it could sway critical votes.
- Polls: Good news for Democrats in Kansas Senate race
Republicans have a good chance of taking control of the US Senate in the November election. But one race could trip them up: The close fight between incumbent Pat Roberts and independent challenger Greg Orman, who's leading in most polls.
- But wait, there's more bad news about the Secret Service
In the wake of mounting allegations of wrongdoing at the US Secret Service, critics say the agency's top officials – not just the director – failed to create an atmosphere of responsibility. "There are too many incompetent managers," says one insider.
- Unemployment drops below 6 percent: Can it help Democrats?
This last snapshot of the job market before midterm elections marks the first time the unemployment rate has dropped below 6 percent since 2008. But the total share of Americans who have jobs has recovered only modestly.
- Despite new Ebola case, US has good track record stopping pandemics
While the response to the first diagnosed case of Ebola in America has not been perfect, the US and the world have effectively contained several outbreaks of other diseases in recent years, from SARS to H1N1.
- Battle for the Senate: Who else is spending like the Koch Brothers?
The big spenders cross the political spectrum from Charles and David Koch and the US Chamber of Commerce on the right to billionaires Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer on the left. But the key name in US campaign funding is 'anonymous.'
- US-Afghan security deal signed: why it's small, but important
The security agreement signed by the US and Afghanistan Tuesday doesn't mean big numbers of American troops. It means an important confidence boost.
- Obama: We underestimated Islamic State extremists
US officials acknowledge that they underestimated Islamic State extremists and overestimated the willingness of Iraqi forces to fight ISIS. Obama insists that US ground troops won’t be sent, but most Americans don’t believe that.
- When to shoot: Why the Secret Service is in hot water
The Secret Service is in trouble for the recent White House fence jumper. More troubling, the Washington Post reports, is a 2011 incident when shots hit the presidential family residence. Congress holds a special hearing this week.
- Hillary Clinton becomes a grandmother. Now will she announce for 2016?
Chelsea Clinton gave birth to a daughter, Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky, Friday night. Hillary Clinton has said she wouldn’t announce her presidential plans until after that happy event.
- When is right time to replace Eric Holder? Depends which party you ask.
Republicans, who believe they may take the Senate, say they want to wait until 2015 to replace the attorney general. Democrats disagree. Lawmakers are also divided on when to debate broader authorization for war against Islamic State.
- Can Sarah Palin save Pat Roberts in tight Kansas Senate race?
Sarah Palin appears in Kansas Thursday to stump for Sen. Pat Roberts, the most endangered Republican senator. She could be helpful, but there's irony in her pitch.
- US jobless claims below 300,000: How good is job market getting?
Some 293,000 people filed claims for unemployment benefits in the past week – a lower-than-expected number and one that puts this indicator firmly back to levels last seen before the Great Recession.
- Obama cites authority to fight Islamic State. Why some lawmakers don't buy it.
For the Islamic State fight, President Obama pointed to two authorizations passed by Congress more than a decade ago. Their applicability to today is stirring debate with the force of a Tomahawk missile.
- Why the US-Syria coalition doesn't look that impressive
President Obama says that the participation of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar in the Syria strikes 'makes it clear to the world that this is not America’s fight alone,' but the depth of their involvement is not clear.