All Decoder
Jimmy Carter gives Mitt Romney an unexpected boostIn an interview Wednesday, Jimmy Carter said he'd be 'comfortable' with a Romney presidency – and inadvertently highlighted a problem for President Obama: Many Democrats don't think Mitt Romney is scary.
Backlash begins after Obama slow jams the newsMany Republicans are grousing about President Obama's appearance on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' and complaining that he's just trying to distract Americans from his policy failures.
Sarah Palin says Obama wants to ban kids from farm work. Is she right?Well, Sarah Palin is airing the concerns of many farm-state lawmakers. But there's no evidence that Obama is trying to stop kids from working on the family farm, which she alleges.
No pattern of partying, skirt-chasing in Secret Service, Napolitano saysJanet Napolitano, whose department oversees the Secret Service, said Wednesday there is no evidence of a pattern of indiscretion among agents. Nine have left the service in the wake of the recent prostitution scandal.
Obama on Jimmy Fallon show: How did it go?The president's political advisers must be fairly pleased. Obama, on Jimmy Fallon late-night show, both trumpeted his message about keeping college loan rates low and needled Republicans about it.
Obama slow jams the news with Jimmy Fallon. How does that work?Start with a late-night funnyman. Add a president. Then, talk about something serious – Obama chose student loans – while Jimmy Fallon's house band, The Roots, lays down an R&B rhythm. Punch it up. Laugh. Then, wait to see how Mitt Romney responds.
John Edwards's trial: a cad, or a cad and a felon?John Edwards' trial turns on whether $1 million from heiress Bunny Mellon and another donor was a bid to influence an election – hence an illegal campaign contribution – or merely an effort to cover up an extramarital affair.
Student loans: Romney, congressional GOP race to embrace studentsAs President Obama puts a spotlight on student loans, Mitt Romney says that he, too, supports extending the 3.4 percent interest rate – and blames the president for poor job prospects for college graduates.
Obama slipping among young white votersObama won white voters ages 18 to 29 in 2008 by 10 percentage points over the GOP's John McCain, according to a recent Pew Research poll. He leads Mitt Romney among that group by only two points.
Rob Portman for the GOP veep? Not if 2008 is any guideTwo-thirds of state Republican Party chairs and members of the Republican National Committee say Sen. Rob Portman (R) is both the best and most likely veep pick for Mitt Romney. But it's still early.
Ted Nugent: Will anti-Obama rant cost him more gigs?Fort Knox canceled an appearance by shock rocker Ted Nugent at the Army post's annual summer concert. And two city councilmen in Bangor, Maine, are calling for the cancellation of a Nugent show on the city’s waterfront.
Martin O'Malley for president in 2016? He drops a few hints.At a breakfast with reporters Friday, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) insisted it was too soon to talk about 2016. But some comments suggested a run for president might have crossed his mind.
Smoke the shad, press the flesh: a Virginia political ritual past its prime?Republicans dominate one of Virginia's oldest political events, the annual 'Shad Planking' in Wakefield. This is no longer Democrat-friendly turf, but attendees still see reason for Democratic candidates to come.
Ted Nugent meets Secret Service: Was he singled out?Ted Nugent said he met with two 'fine, professional' agents, and the Secret Service called the issue of his remarks about Obama 'resolved.' The meeting, it appears, was nothing out of the ordinary.
Olympics vs. dancing horse: Which one defines Mitt Romney?The athletic competition Mitt Romney is most closely associated with is the Olympics. But the Romneys have a horse competing in this week's freestyle dressage World Cup finals.
How Ted Nugent might fend off the Secret ServiceThe Secret Service is set to interview the shocker rocker Thursday about his anti-Obama comments, and whether he meant to threaten the president's life. Let's imagine some points Ted Nugent might make during that session.
Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama: a squeaker or a landslide?In a Mitt Romney matchup with Barack Obama, latest polling data point to either a close race or an Obama blowout, depending on which numbers you look at. It may come down to which matters more: economic performance or personal appeal.
Ted Nugent: Worst political endorser ever?On Tuesday, shock rocker Ted Nugent added to provocative comments he made at last weekend's NRA convention. The Secret Service will visit him to discuss his remarks about President Obama.
Ted Nugent: Threat to Obama, or harmless loudmouth?Ted Nugent can expect a call from the Secret Service after saying at the NRA convention over the weekend that he'd be either 'dead or in jail' a year from now if Obama is reelected.
GSA scandal: Does agency have culture of waste, fraud, and abuse?Critics of the huge federal bureaucracy have a history of missteps to cite, from well before the latest GSA scandal, in which Jeffrey Neeley authorized $823,000 for a conference in Las Vegas.
