Topic: Maureen Dowd

Is Obama the 'first gay president' as Newsweek proclaims?

Newsweek magazine's latest cover proclaims Barack Obama the 'first gay president'. He'd rather focus on the economy than his controversial new support for same-sex marriage. But that's a tough issue for him, as recent polls show.

This primary season, peel off political labels

It's primary season, so America is into political labels. Which is the real conservative, Romney or Santorum? Is Obama a European socialist? The more important question may be, 'What are you?' Surprisingly, the answer is probably 'all of the above.'

Does Rick Perry really want to be president?

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's debate performance, and other clues, indicate to DCDecoder that Rick Perry may not be 'in it to win it.'

The decade since 9/11 has eroded – and confirmed – American values

US actions over the past 10 years have called into question America’s commitment to justice, freedom, and respect for human rights. But the decade has also confirmed how resilient the country's democratic values really are.

If Obama looks as if he'll lose in 2012, what about Hillary Clinton?

Approval ratings for Obama are at a historic low. Unemployment is not budging. Clinton would have to step down as secretary of State. Would it be unseemly to campaign against a president, in whose cabinet she once served? Just ask Jon Huntsman Jr.

The tea party and the debt deal: Fiscal 'terrorists' or principled heroes?

Shrugging off unfavorable polls and harsh criticism from Biden and other Democrats, the tea party faithful take stock of their influence on Capitol Hill's debt deal and look ahead to the next battle.

In debate over iPhone confession app, aftershocks of Calvinist-Catholic fault line

The iPhone confession app is stirring age-old questions: Do mediating objects assist or hinder in the pursuit of grace? Do things lessen the sincerity or authenticity of religious action?

Sarah Palin hunting: Why the world shakes when she shoots a caribou

Sarah Palin hunting: Some commentators see a political commentary in Sarah Palin hunting caribou on 'Sarah Palin's Alaska,' calling the caribou, 'Obambi.' Others see animal cruelty. To hunters, though, the furor shows that urban America doesn't understand rural life.

Obama taps inner memoirist to tell BP oil spill story

President Obama has struggled to show he’s engaged and concerned during the BP oil spill. But as the disaster wears on, showing emotion and tapping his inner writer could help Obama's standing.

Hillary Clinton: Obama's foreign-policy hawk

Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama believe in engagement with foreign adversaries, but Secretary Clinton believes in engaging from a position of strength.

Who is Anita Dunn?

Anita Dunn escalated the Obama administration's feud with Fox News. But aside from her peculiar statement about Mao Zedong, not much is known about her outside the Beltway.

Jimmy Carter racism charge triggers next US race debate

In asserting that some Obama foes are prejudiced, the ex-president rekindles a difficult discussion. The right sees it as a way to squelch legitimate opposition to administration policies.

Jimmy Carter: Racism behind Joe Wilson outburst

A "plagiarized" account of Maureen Dowd's plagiarism

Bye, Tony Soprano. Welcome back, Atticus Finch.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about parental participation in education, making the case for women as leaders, why many countries should be concerned about cyber attacks from China, and why Muslims, too, should be careful in their speech to others.

Obama: You don't endorse me? You're off the plane!

Six picks: Recommendations from the Monitor staff

A newsroom thriller, NASA missions on the Discovery Channel, hybrid owners' annoying efficiency, and more.