All DC Decoder
- Mitch McConnell's talk of showdown with Obama: Anything out of the ordinary?
If Republicans take back the Senate, Sen. Mitch McConnell can try to load up must-pass spending bills with poison pills President Obama won't like. But that doesn't mean these measures become law or government shuts down.
- Should President Obama go to Ferguson?
Obama has sent Attorney General Eric Holder to Ferguson, Mo., amid racially charged unrest. That probably buys the president time. But for the first black president, it's a no-win situation.
- No tea party break for Democrats in Alaska
Dan Sullivan, former Alaska attorney general, won the Republican Senate primary Tuesday – not tea partyer Joe Miller. Now Sen. Mark Begich (D) is in for a battle royale.
- Joni Ernst, the next Sarah Palin? GOP fights back.
Democrats, eager to hold onto the Senate, are seeking to portray Iowa Senate candidate Joni Ernst (R) as the next Sarah Palin. Not so fast, say Republicans, who put out a seven-minute web bio on Ernst.
- Ferguson: How Pentagon’s '1033 program' helped militarize small-town police
The Pentagon’s ‘1033 program’ has provided billions of dollars in military equipment to law enforcement agencies across the country. Critics say this militarization of local police needs to change.
- Americans say what ails the economy: It's politics
In an heartening sign, most Americans think the country's economic problems are solvable. The problem is they have little confidence Congress will solve them.
- Scott Walker 2016? Why his 2014 race is getting tighter
In reverse of the national trend, Gov. Scott Walker's camp sees more enthusiasm among Democrats than Republicans for the November vote. If he fails to win reelection in Wisconsin, that's the end of his Oval Office dreams.
- Obama calls for calm in Ferguson: Will that help?
In previous high-profile news events where race was a major factor, President Obama spoke out somewhat more forcefully. There could be several reasons he appeared to handle the Ferguson incident differently.
- Obama reversal shows difficulty of limiting lobbyists' D.C. clout
Faced with a lawsuit, President Obama has backed off his policy of banning lobbyists from serving on federal commissions and advisory panels. Lobbyists can offer 'technical expertise,' but critics say they also wield 'undue influence.'
- Republicans and race: why Mississippi drama matters
At an emotional meeting in Chicago, the Republican National Committee steered clear of 'race-baiting' allegations in Mississippi's GOP Senate runoff. But the issue of how Republicans reach out to blacks is very much alive.
- Lamar Alexander: how a Senate moderate is thriving in GOP primary
Sen. Lamar Alexander voted with Senate Democrats to back immigration reform, yet that doesn't appear to have clobbered his prospects in Thursday's GOP primary.
- Do you know the scandal that changed America? Take our Watergate quiz.
Watergate roiled American politics like no scandal before or since. It resulted in President Richard Nixon losing in disgrace the office he had coveted all his life. Some of the highest ranking members of the Nixon administration went to jail as a result of the Watergate break-in, including Attorney General John Mitchell and Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman. In the end 48 US officials and associates were convicted of Watergate-related crimes.
Think you know all about this fascinating piece of history? Try our quiz and see.