Topic: Massachusetts

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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.
5 reasons graphic novels are the next big thing at your library

The book format is everywhere, from ESL classrooms to Ivy League libraries.
Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
Thanksgiving Day by the numbers: 10 mind-stuffing facts

Data from the Census and other sources provide some numerical insights into Thanksgiving, arguably the most cherished national holiday.
Election 2012: 12 reasons Obama won and Romney lost

President Obama went into his reelection fight facing significant head winds – most important, high unemployment and slow economic growth. But for a multitude of reasons, including Obama’s positives and Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s negatives, Obama succeeded. Here’s our list.

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Scott Brown offered change to Massachusetts. Sound familiar?

The election of Republican Scott Brown is an indication that voters in Massachusetts – and perhaps nationwide – feel President Obama has not yet been able to deliver the change he promised in 2008.
Talk to the editor: Obama's tough year

President Obama's first anniversary finds him facing political reversal, struggling to implement healthcare reform, presiding over a weak economy, and beset with overseas challenges. Washington correspondents Linda Feldmann and Peter Grier take your questions.
Scott Brown’s victory: Back to square one on healthcare reform?

Senator-elect Scott Brown of Massachusetts could provide the 41st Republican vote necessary to block a healthcare reform bill. Moderates of both parties say it’s time to start over with a broad, bipartisan strategy.
The Monitor's View: Obama’s big job -- jobs

By electing Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown to the US Senate, voters show Obama that the economy comes first.
Opinion: Massachusetts election could save Democrats from themselves

Democrats must use this moment to recommit themselves to the progressive agenda that got President Obama elected.
Coakley concedes race: five lessons from her campaign

As Martha Coakley concedes the Massachusetts Senate race to Scott Brown, political analysts are already drawing lessons for the midterm elections later this year.
Massachusetts Senate race results: Obama's signal that all is changed

Republican Scott Brown's upset victory in the Massachusetts Senate race results portends huge challenges ahead for President Obama and majority Democrats. National healthcare reform may well stall, and new carbon-emissions rules are now unlikely. What will be the revised agenda?
Opinion: Scott Brown: the Ben-Hur of Massachusetts politics

Scott Brown’s improbable victory is a credit to his character, but also to the strong forces that carried his chariot to victory.
Opinion: Scott Brown: the tea party’s first electoral victory

Scott Brown’s win in the Massachusetts special senate election could realign the Republican Party around clean government, fiscal discipline, and respect for the Constitution.
Massachusetts Senate race: Republican Scott Brown wins seat in epic upset

Democrat Martha Coakley's defeat for the seat that Ted Kennedy held for 46 years could signal big problems for President Obama and his party.
Massachusetts Senate race: What will the outcome cost you?

The Senate race in Massachusetts could cost you $2,100 or save you $5,000 in insurance premiums, depending on who you are and whether healthcare reform passes.
Massachusetts Senate race: let the blame game begin

Win or lose the Massachusetts Senate race, Martha Coakley should have run a better campaign against Scott Brown, political strategists say. Now, Democrats are asking: What went wrong?
Mass election results could change healthcare-reform calculus

The Mass election results could signal that public support for healthcare reform is weaker than Democrats had assumed. Will Scott Brown take away Senate Democrats' 60th vote?
Massachusetts election: Brown, Coakley try to get out the vote

Martha Coakley arguably has a more extensive get-out-the-vote-operation than Scott Brown does. But in recent surveys of the Massachusetts election, Coakley is trailing Brown.
Opinion: After a year like his, would Obama make it as an NFL coach?

Like Jim Zorn of the woeful Redskins, Obama showed himself to be an ineffective leader of what should have been a productive Congress.
In Scott Brown's surprise success, a GOP template for midterms?

In the Martha Coakley vs. Scott Brown face off for the Massachusetts Senate seat, Republican Brown has come from behind in a campaign focused on fiscal responsibility. That could be a template for the GOP in this year's midterm elections.
Scott Brown vs. Martha Coakley: will bad weather affect vote?

As the Scott Brown vs. Martha Coakley contest for the Massachusetts Senate seat comes to a head, some experts say bad weather on voting day Tuesday could help Democrat Coakley.
Three ways healthcare reform could pass even if Coakley loses

The Democrats will lose their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the US Senate if Scott Brown defeats Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts special election Tuesday. There are at least three ways Democrats could still pass healthcare reform, but each would be problematic.
Obama in Boston: Was it enough to turn Senate race for Coakley?

President Obama brought the energy from his 2008 campaign to Boston Sunday in a rally for Democrat Martha Coakley. She's locked in a tight race with Scott Brown to succeed the late Ted Kennedy in the US Senate.
Big risks in Obama's bid to boost Martha Coakley for Senate

President Obama will come to Massachusetts Sunday to help bolster Martha Coakley, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy. But the move could help challenger Scott Brown.
How Martha Coakley misread the tea leaves in Boston Harbor

Win or lose, Martha Coakley’s Massachusetts senate race campaign will influence Democratic strategy in a tough election year. And the result could have major impact on Obama’s agenda.
Massachusetts Senate race hinges on independent vote

Massachusetts is one of the most Democratic states in the country. But moderate Republicans have done well there too over the years, and independent voters are likely to make the difference in the special US Senate race.
Massachusetts Senate race: Democratic big guns join the fight

Bill Clinton was on the stump Friday for Democrat Martha Coakley, who’s now trailing Republican Scott Brown in the Massachusetts Senate race. President Obama will campaign there Sunday.
As Brown edges ahead in poll, Bill Clinton stumps for Coakley

Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown are bringing in their parties' stars as they battle to win Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in a Jan. 19 special election. Bill Clinton is stumping for Coakley in Massachusetts Friday.
Opinion: Martha Coakley: Why I'm running for Senate

Martha Coakley, the Democratic candidate in the special Massachusetts election for US Senate Jan. 19, makes her case.