All DC Decoder
- Susan Rice to top foreign policy post in Obama power play
President Obama is naming Susan Rice as his national security adviser, a bold show of support for a close confidante amid continuing controversy over Benghazi. Samantha Power will replace her at the UN.
- Obama turns tables on GOP: no compromise on judicial nominations
Obama slams Republicans for 'unprecedented' obstruction of his judicial nominees, and Sen. Harry Reid vows no compromise on a student loan deal, as Democrats take a page from the Republican playbook.
- Obama to Republicans: Don't block my judges
President Obama nominated three top lawyers to the D.C. Circuit, the nation's second most important court. The move signals a willingness to spend political capital on his legal legacy.
- With three nominations to D.C. Circuit court, Obama gets aggressive
President Obama will move Tuesday to fill all three vacancies on the D.C. Circuit, America's top federal appeals court after the Supreme Court and a training ground for future justices. Republicans are already fighting back.
- Might Chris Christie put a Democrat in Frank Lautenberg's Senate seat?
New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg's passing Monday gives Gov. Chris Christie a juicy opportunity to help Republicans cut into the Democratic majority in the Senate. But one can't rule out that he'll name a Democrat.
- Justice Department scandal: Will Obama toss Eric Holder?
Attorney General Eric Holder has ties to several controversial issues, including the IRS scandal, aggressive probing of journalists, and drone attacks. Republicans and now some on the left are calling for Holder to resign. So far, President Obama is sticking with his man.
- Massachusetts Senate race called 'toss up': Could GOP surprise again?
The Cook Political Report has announced it's shifting its prediction for the Massachusetts Senate race from 'leaning Democrat' to 'toss up.' In 2010, Republican Scott Brown won a similar special election.
- Student loans 101: What's really at stake as Washington squabbles
From market-based rates to interest rate caps, here's a primer on the proposals floating around Washington for dealing with student loans. How they're alike and how they differ.
- Why are Mitt and Ann Romney back in the news?
Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, were lying low after the election loss last fall. But now they're giving interviews and talking about Obama's second term, Washington scandals, and an issues summit Mr. Romney is hosting next week at a Utah mountain resort.
- Why James Comey could be an astute choice for new FBI director
President Obama reportedly is set to name James Comey as FBI director. Mr. Comey is a Republican who served in the Bush administration – but resisted the White House on warrantless wiretaps.
- What's next for Michele Bachmann?
Rep. Michele Bachmann, head of the House Tea Party Caucus, isn't a mainstream GOP favorite – but she can still make money with lectures and media. She also has legal battles ahead.
- Obama-Christie bromance, Part 2: A win-win for both
President Obama and Gov. Chris Christie came together after Sandy to help New Jersey rebuild. Now, the bipartisan odd couple is at it again – with political benefits for both sides.
- Bob Dole says Reagan couldn't make it in today's GOP. Is he right?
Former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole said Ronald Reagan wouldn't have been accepted in today's GOP. Maybe, like Dole, he just wouldn't have understood today's D.C.
- Obama’s struggle: How free should the press be?
President Obama says he's trying to strike a balance between national security and essential freedoms. Now, after his own Justice Department accessed reporters' phone records, he wants to protect against 'overreach.' Some say he's trying to have it both ways.
- Would a US 'drone court' to authorize drone strikes be a good idea?
President Obama this week tentatively opened the door to the establishment of a drone court, to provide greater accountability for drone strikes on Al Qaeda affiliates abroad. The idea is drawing mixed reviews.
- Has Obama tightened US drone strike policy, or not?
Administration officials had said Thursday's address by President Obama would contain big changes on drone attacks. But some sections were so carefully worded as to be 'opaque,' according to one expert.
- Rand Paul's beef with immigration reform bill: the E-Verify system
A photo-based E-Verify system for checking workers' legal status – a key part of the Senate immigration reform bill – does not mesh well with the libertarian leanings of Sen. Rand Paul (R). His worry: a 'national ID.'
- IRS scandal: Will House throw Lois Lerner in slammer?
Lois Lerner declined to testify at a House hearing on the IRS scandal, but not before making an opening statement asserting her innocence. Did that undermine her Fifth Amendment rights?
- Obamas hosting Carole King: What's the special occasion?
When the Beatles got off the plane for the first time in the US, the first person they wanted to meet was Carole King. So, winning the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and a White House gig were events just waiting to happen.
- Anthony Weiner for N.Y.C. mayor? Why he is no Mark Sanford.
Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner announced his candidacy Wednesday for mayor of New York City. But he will have a harder time than Rep. Mark Sanford did in staging a comeback.