All Decoder
How bad is the GOP's image problem?A new survey puts the GOP last in the ratings of 11 political figures and institutions. But the tide of US politics ebbs and flows – and in the 'fiscal cliff' negotiations, many Americans appear to be holding both sides accountable.
Is Stephen Colbert trying to buy Senate seat in South Carolina?Stephen Colbert's decision to campaign for the seat being vacated by GOP Sen. Jim DeMint gives the famous funnyman yet another chance to educate Americans on how to game the US campaign finance system.
Senator Jenny Sanford? Why it might be a smart pick.Jenny Sanford, ex-wife of South Carolina's ex-governor, is reportedly on the short list to fill outgoing Sen. Jim DeMint's seat. It could present the GOP with a much-needed opportunity to appeal to women.
Are Republicans really 'incapable' of beating Hillary Clinton in 2016?Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said over the weekend that his party could not rise to Mrs. Clinton's level. But she might not be as formidable as it appears.
Pearl Harbor resurrection: the warships that rose to fight againThe attack on Pearl Harbor 71 years ago left a tangled mess of burning and shattered warships. But in 'one of history's greatest salvage jobs,' many of the sunken ships rose to fight the Axis.
Will high approval ratings boost Obama's leverage in 'fiscal cliff' talks?Friday brought a better-than-expected jobs report and the highest approval ratings for President Obama since the killing of Osama bin Laden. Maybe more important, the public believes he'll be able to improve the economy over the next four years.
Debt ceiling debate twist: Sen. Mitch McConnell filibusters himselfYes, another debt-ceiling debate is looming, and the Senate's attempt to deal with the issue Thursday involved complex legislative machinations that appeared to backfire on Mitch McConnell.
Does Sen. Jim DeMint's departure spell doom for conservatives on the Hill?Tea party stalwart Jim DeMint's decision to leave the Senate to run the Heritage Foundation may say something about the ability to effect change from the outside, as opposed to the inside.
Rand Paul slams Ashley Judd as too liberal for Kentucky. Is he right?Actress/activist Ashley Judd has adopted causes that, however worthy, are national as opposed to Kentuckian in scope. Sen. Rand Paul (R) talked about her activism in a radio interview Wednesday.
Is Karl Rove's media career kaput?Don't count Karl Rove out, despite reports that the GOP strategist will get less face time on Fox News for the foreseeable future. He still has some platforms, and he knows how to use them.
Still playing offense, White House seeks to rewrite debt ceiling rulesThe Obama administration, which appears to have the upper hand in its tax-the-rich fight, also seeks to make it harder for Congress to intervene when it comes to the national debt ceiling. That comes up again in early 2013.
New polls fuel speculation about Hillary Clinton in 2016Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is more popular than she's ever been – and might well clear the Democratic field, were she to officially enter the 2016 presidential race.
Why might Republicans cave in 'fiscal cliff' talks?The GOP and President Obama have long disagreed over taxes for the rich. Although there are signs of potential movement with the fiscal cliff looming, there are also reasons it might not happen.
GOP rift over 'fiscal cliff': Are 'Dole Republicans' on the rise?Former Sen. Bob Dole visited the Capitol Tuesday. His brand of conservatism – leaning more toward pragmatism and compromise – may be gaining some ground amid the fiscal cliff standoff.
Ashley Judd for Senate: Could she win?Charlie Cook’s Political Report website lists actress/activist Ashley Judd as a possible Democratic nominee in the 2014 Kentucky Senate race. But so far, she hasn't given a definite 'yes' to running.
Going over the 'fiscal cliff': why more are sounding ready to take the plungeWith negotiations still appearing stalled, a growing chorus on the left and right has been suggesting that a so-called "cliff dive" wouldn't be so bad. Better than cutting a bad deal, anyway.
'Fiscal cliff' proposal: Is Obama trying to peeve GOP?President Obama's fiscal cliff plan calls for, among other things, $1.6 trillion in tax increases over 10 years. But what really appears to annoy Republicans is the lack of specificity on spending cuts.
Joe Biden goes shopping at Costco. Why there?Vice President Joe Biden went to a new Costco Thursday morning. There are several reasons a man who's a heartbeat away from the most powerful job in the world might spend a few minutes there.
Amid GOP rage against Susan Rice, how Hillary Clinton has remained unscathedUnlike Ambassador Rice, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has not come under fire for Benghazi – a reflection of strong relationships she built in the Senate, and the broad popularity she currently enjoys.
Mitt Romney to lunch with President Obama in White House. Why?The White House announced Wednesday that Mitt Romney will drop by for lunch Thursday. It helps President Obama look gracious and bipartisan while helping Romney rebuild his status.
