All DC Decoder
- Whom does Obama read? Ezra Klein, Taylor Branch, Bill Simmons.
President Obama escapes his White House bubble by reading widely on the web, sometimes late at night, following links like the rest of us, says senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer.
- FocusMedicare: Could Rep. Paul Ryan's reform plan work?
The only big Medicare reform idea that's been pitched in public is called 'premium support,' championed by Rep. Paul Ryan (R). Here's how it would work, and here's why Democrats deride it as a 'voucher.'
- FocusTaming Medicare costs: What are the options?
The US spends twice as much per person on health care as other advanced economies, and Medicare is one of the biggest culprits. But here's why cutting its costs won't be easy.
- Caroline Kennedy to be US ambassador to Japan? Why it makes sense now.
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President Kennedy, may soon be on her way to Tokyo as President Obama's envoy. The new secretary of State likely played a role.
- Gay marriage opinion shift: conservative lawmakers, pundits left scrambling
As public opinion moves in favor of gay marriage, members of Congress find they have to adjust their stance. Conservative pundits are beginning to acknowledge this as well.
- White House Easter Egg Roll: not just a few bunnies in fuzzy suits
Stars on hand will include NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, New York Giant Victor Cruz, actress Quvenzhané Wallis, and 'American Idol' alums Jordin Sparks and Jessica Sanchez.
- More Americans willing to let illegal immigrants stay, poll finds
But there's less clarity on what the public wants legal status to look like. Fewer than half, for instance, approve of a 'pathway to citizenship' for illegal immigrants who meet criteria, says the Pew poll.
- 'Path to citizenship' roils immigration reform. But what is it, exactly?
The most contentious issue in immigration reform is probably the potential of a 'path to citizenship.' But the heated rhetoric obscures the fact that both sides have many points of agreement.