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Three lessons of Jeremiah Wright plan against Obama

News about a proposal to use the Rev. Jeremiah Wright against President Obama in a GOP “super PAC” ad campaign caused the political world to combust. Charges of “race-baiting” flew, and suddenly the idea was an orphan. It’s safe to say, the ads will never be made. But there are lessons to be learned.

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Decoder Wire Bob Woodward compares Benghazi with Watergate. Is he right? (+video)

The similarities: line-by-line edits of what to tell the public, says Bob Woodward, the media's authority on all things Watergate. Regarding the White House Benghazi edits, they show pressure 'in the system not to tell the truth' about what happened, he said Friday.
The Vote Chris Christie praises Obama (again): Is he digging himself in deeper? (+video)

Six months after his famous – some say costly – hug of the president on the Jersey Shore, Gov. Chris Christie says Obama 'kept every promise that he made' on hurricane Sandy disaster relief.
Decoder Wire Obama's tax rate is 18.4 percent. Is that too low for a millionaire?

The release of President Obama's tax returns last week showed that his tax rate has gone down. Of course, his income went down and he gave a lot to charity, but critics are still chirping.
Decoder Wire Uproar over Obama comment on Kamala Harris: political correctness run amok?

President Obama sparked a mini-tempest when he called California's Kamala Harris the 'best-looking attorney general in the country.' At least he also called her brilliant, dedicated, and tough.
Matt Lauer: 'Today' will regain top ratings

Matt Lauer made his pitch at an unfortunately-timed NBC News sales event. 'Today' is at low ebb in the ratings and a flurry of media reports has been speculating that Lauer is more of a sinker than a sail.
Decoder Wire The State of the Union is ... boring?

Tens of millions of Americans are expected to tune in to President Obama's State of the Union address. The dirty little secret surrounding these events is that, for all the anticipation and coverage, they are usually snoozers.
Barney Frank asks for interim Senate appointment

Frank, who served 16 terms and headed the House Financial Services Committee, says the next few months will be important for the nation's finances.
Decoder Wire What might Democrats give up in 'fiscal cliff' talks?

OK, Republicans have ceded ground on tax revenues. Now, under Obama's 'balanced' approach to averting the fiscal cliff, Democrats presumably would consent to spending cuts on entitlement programs or Obamacare. But what Dems would accept may not be what GOP has in mind.
Hurricane Sandy suspends presidential campaign? Hardly. (+video)

President Obama is in Washington handling storm response, but the Democrats have plenty of other political activity going. So does Team Romney, including travel to 'storm relief events.'
Chapter & Verse National Book Award finalists are announced

Junot Diaz, Dave Eggers, and Katherine Boo all made the cut for final consideration for the award.
Decoder Wire Mitt Romney's debate challenge: keeping Karl Rove on board (+video)

If Mitt Romney can't turn things around at Wednesday's debate, some observers speculate that he could see an exodus of donors and other supporters – including GOP mastermind Karl Rove.
Decoder Wire Egypt embassy protests: Will Mitt Romney's comments matter in November? (+video)

Gaffes spoken in haste on the campaign trail can fade. But an inaccurate statement, geared for political advantage at a time of national crisis, could have a longer impact on the presidential race.
Katie Couric: Can the former TV newscaster make it as a talk show host?

Katie Couric struggled with ratings as a TV news anchor. She’s about to launch a new afternoon talk show aimed at women, but audience tastes are changing and she faces lots of competition.
Decoder Wire Should Chris Matthews be fired for 'race card' rant at RNC chief? (+video)

MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews unleashed a rant at Republican National Committee Chief Reince Priebus Monday, leading to calls among some conservatives that he be fired.
Why Claire McCaskill wants Todd Akin to stay in Missouri race

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) spent $2 million on ads in the GOP primary and got what she wanted: conservative Rep. Todd Akin as her opponent. Now that he's damaged goods, so much the better.
Tax VOX Should we delay the tax cut debate until 2013?

Over the past week, Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, and Glenn Hubbard have all made the same suggestion: Congress should extend all of the 2001/2003 tax cuts into early next year. It seems like an awful idea.
Team Obama takes attacks to Romney's home turf

Obama strategist David Axelrod shouted over protesters at the Massachusetts State House as he attacked Romney's record as governor. Romney countered at California's shuttered Solyndra plant.
Obama's Cory Booker problem: allies undercut anti-Bain message

Cory Booker, Newark's charismatic mayor, back-tracked on his defense of Mitt Romney's company, Bain, but only part-way. Other Obama supporters are muddying his message on private equity, too.
Three lessons of Jeremiah Wright plan against Obama

News about a proposal to use the Rev. Jeremiah Wright against President Obama in a GOP “super PAC” ad campaign caused the political world to combust. Charges of “race-baiting” flew, and suddenly the idea was an orphan. It’s safe to say, the ads will never be made. But there are lessons to be learned.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan endorses gay marriage. Is Obama cornered? (+video)

Now, both Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary Duncan have spoken up for gay marriage, but Obama is holding back. That could be a political calculation, but gay activists are frustrated.
Decoder Wire 'Morning Joe' host: GOP establishment thinks Mitt Romney will lose to Obama

Mitt Romney's path to the nomination seems secure – but as conservative Joe Scarborough bluntly put it Wednesday, Republicans aren't confident about his chances in the fall.
Vox News Did 'Game Change' change anyone's mind about Sarah Palin (+trailer)?

'Game Change' showed campaign aides aghast at what Sarah Palin didn't know, but it also credits her ability to connect with voters, especially parents of children with special needs.
Backchannels Joe Scarborough implies General Dempsey unfit to lead joint chiefs

The morning talk-show host says Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey's comments that Iran is a rational actor should be a firing offense.
Evangelist raises Obama faith issue again, 'has no idea' what president believes

Graham, who has led the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association since his father's retirement, also repeated earlier remarks linking Obama to Islam through his African ancestry and said the Muslim world saw him as a Muslim.
Vox News Will Jon Stewart go to jail for running Stephen Colbert's super PAC?

As the head of a super political-action committee supporting Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart is not allowed to 'coordinate' with Colbert. But the two are pushing the limits in the name of satire.