All Decoder
Does Donald Trump think the Oscars revile America?Donald Trump was asked on Fox News on Monday whether two movies were slighted by the Academy Awards because they're pro-American. Politics is swirling around the film awards season like never before.
Immigration reform in 2013? It has a champion in Corporate America.US Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue says he's optimistic that immigration reform can be passed this year and is working with a broad array of partners to make that happen.
Suddenly, Joe Biden is everywhere. Are prospects for a 2016 run improving?Vice President Joe Biden is leading the gun-control task force and also recently sealed the fiscal-cliff deal. It's possible that his old-school, backslapping style of politicking may be coming back in vogue.
Why is Sen. Lindsey Graham now Obama's antagonist in chief?Not long ago, the Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was seen as a 'maverick' Republican willing to work across the aisle. But there appears to be a clear reason for his rightward shift.
Congress more unpopular than Donald Trump, head liceA new poll shows just how deeply, eye-poppingly unpopular Congress has become. But are voters partly to blame for lawmakers' failures?
Republicans talk up a 'government shutdown.' Do they mean it?With a series of fiscal deadlines approaching, some Republicans in Congress say they're ready to shut down the government to get real spending cuts, a reprise of the famous shutdowns of 1995.
Hagel, Brennan, and history: How often does Senate reject cabinet nominees?The Senate has only rejected two presidential cabinet picks since World War II – though six others have withdrawn their names, and the process is becoming more contentious.
Debt-limit fight takes shape: Will Mitch McConnell ever be satisfied?Some Republicans say they're ready to take the debt limit hostage in order to get spending cuts. Sound familiar? But there's a good reason this political cycle keeps repeating itself.
Barney Frank wants to be a senator. Is that a good thing or bad?In media interviews Friday, just-retired Rep. Barney Frank said he'd like the Massachusetts governor to appoint him as an interim senator. In his 16 terms in the House, he had both highs and lows.
Chris Christie: Did primal scream help or hurt his presidential prospects?Gov. Chris Christie tore into Speaker Boehner and the House GOP over the delay in a vote on Sandy relief. That could help him get reelected but hurt him in a Republican primary campaign.
Donald Trump slams GOP: How would he have struck 'fiscal cliff' deal?Donald Trump slams GOP in tweets, saying that Republicans got nothing in the fiscal cliff deal. Here's a look at some principles the real estate mogul might have followed had he been negotiating.
Might Ben Affleck try leap from Hollywood to US Senate? So far, he's cagey.The actor and director says he's 'happy being involved from outside in government.' But Ben Affleck didn't exactly put the kibosh on talk about a possible run for John Kerry's Senate seat.
Boehner 'Plan B' flop: Good or bad for President Obama?It's natural to think that President Obama might have cheered the collapse of House Speaker John Boehner's Plan B for the 'fiscal cliff.' But the chaos it created might cause bigger problems.
Sen. Ben Affleck? Fearing loss of Mass. Senate seat, Democrats scramble.A poll shows outgoing GOP Sen. Scott Brown leading potential Democratic opponents for Sen. John Kerry's seat, if the latter becomes secretary of State. Ben Affleck hasn't flatly denied a possible run.
What counts as a tax hike? Not Boehner 'fallback' plan, says antitax groupLawmakers who vote to let tax cuts lapse for millionaires would not be violating an antitax pledge, says a group led by activist Grover Norquist. House Speaker John Boehner has put forward such a bill, stirring fury of other conservatives.
Michelle Obama: What's she doing to get ready for Christmas?Calling herself the 'hostess-in-chief,' first lady Michelle Obama puts a positive spin on preparations for the annual Christmas deluge of visitors to a decked out White House.
Amid Newtown grief, will a 'fiscal cliff' deal quietly get done?While the nation is focused on the shootings in Newtown, Conn., lawmakers appear to be nearing an agreement on the fiscal cliff – and may settle the matter without fight or fanfare.
Susan Rice: Was she pushed to end secretary of State bid?With the 'fiscal cliff' unresolved and other big issues still on the table, President Obama didn't need a confirmation battle. Realistically, Susan Rice had little choice but to take her name out of the mix.
'Fiscal cliff': Is John Boehner in a lose-lose situation?Speaker John Boehner and fellow Republicans are being asked to cave on tax rates in the fiscal cliff negotiations. In return, they could be the 'bad guys' on entitlement reform – something even their own voters may not support.
Taxing the rich: why $250,000 became the benchmarkSome Democrats had sought an income threshold well above $250,000. But since the election campaign and in 'fiscal cliff' talks, that's the number President Obama has settled on. Here's what's behind it.
