Topic: Hubert Humphrey

Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.

Deals that changed history

A look back at three major pieces of historical federal legislation, started and finished by small groups of men intent on statesmanship.

Hawaii's Inouye was current longest-serving senator, war hero

As a senator, Inouye became one of the most influential politicians in the country, playing key roles in congressional investigations of the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals.

Tax VOX How Eisenhower and Congressional Democrats balanced the budget

President Dwight Eisenhower truly believed that budgets should be balanced, and his 1960 budget incorporated severe spending restraint and only minor tax increases, Penner writes.

Influential Hawaiian senator Daniel Inouye dies (+video)

Daniel Inouye, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the longest-serving senator, and a World War II hero, died Monday after a brief hospitalization. Inouye was a senator for Hawaii since 1963.

George McGovern: A war hero who fought for peace

Former US Senator George McGovern was a war hero who inspired many in his opposition to the Vietnam War. Always a proud liberal, he was crushed in his 1972 challenge to Richard Nixon.

Chapter & Verse Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan: The evolution of the vice president in America

As the presidential race heats up, vice-presidential expert Joel Goldstein discusses how the role of the nation's No. 2 has changed over the decades.

Notable moments in convention history

A look back at US political conventions that have encompassed a wide spectrum of ideologies.

From Willie Horton to windsurfing: Five top political attack ads

Political attacks ads: love 'em or hate 'em, but they’re here to stay, and this election year stands to be a watershed moment in their use. Here's a look at what are considered to be some of the most memorable and effective attack ads utilized over the years. 

Keep Calm How US presidential politics gives leverage to the Taliban, Iran

While America’s adversaries in Afghanistan and Iran cannot actually pull key strings to choose the next US president, election year politics ends up giving them some leverage. 

The Circle Bastiat Why the food stamp program is a fraud

The federal government vastly overstates the benefits the food stamp program provides low income families – which isn't worth the cost to the taxpayer.

The Last Great Senate

Did the Senate really used to be a grand institution? Ira Shapiro argues that it was – and not that long ago.

Senate's annual reading of Washington farewell address: wisdom for ages

Today the Senate continues the tradition of reading President George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address to the People of the United States. That’s the letter in which the most Founding Father of all announced that he had had it and was not going to be president for a third term, no how, now way.

How Washington lobbyists peddle power

The equivalent of six health-care lobbyists for every member of Congress are registered for this year's biggest political battle.

Opinion: Obama can instill civic responsibility – through a mandatory Youth Corps

The times call for a regeneration, not just a feel-good tweak.

Obama wins in landslide (in tiny New Hampshire towns)

Bush role in McCain campaign to fade away

But the president is still trying to unite the Republican Party.

Twin Cities: homespun and cosmopolitan

The GOP National Convention opens in a place reflecting the nation’s enduring agrarian myth ... with skyscrapers.

Opinion: Winning the pup-ular vote

First dogs affect White House image more than you'd think.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about war-hero candidates, youth voters, and school testing.

Democratic primary: Quiet battle for the other delegates

Superdelegates, or party professionals, could play a decisive role in the outcome of the Democratic race.