Topic: Norman Ornstein

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Obama launches 'charm offensive' on Capitol Hill. Does it have a chance? (+video)

President Obama begins meetings with lawmakers Tuesday to discuss everything from deficits to guns. He is not known for cultivating working relationships on the Hill, and at the same time, GOP congressional leadership has been locked in opposition.
Cover Story Election 2012: How another Obama term might be different

Would four more years of Obama change the Washington dynamic? A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a Romney White House – either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.
Opinion: The case against mail-in voting

Early voting is now underway in more than half the states. While mail-in and early voting have their merits, I don’t just want my vote to count; I want the act of voting to count. I want to stand in line, the longer the better, and practice civility with those in my community.
Opinion: After Mitt Romney's speech, voters may still ask: Can we trust him?

Mitt Romney’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last night was a tepid mix of boilerplate and biography, vague on policy, economical with the truth, and without a memorable, soaring line. It reflected all of the problems that have bedeviled Romney from the outset.
Why John Boehner can still win the tax-cut showdown

House Speaker John Boehner stunned Senate Democrats and Republicans when he said the House would vote down their two-month deal on the payroll tax cut and other measures.
Congress's new brinkmanship: Better or worse than politics as usual?

The old way of resolving disputes on Capitol Hill – backroom deals greased with US dollars for lawmakers' districts – has been replaced this year by a new brinkmanship. But the game of chicken has its own unintended consequences.
National debt-ceiling deal: Why did that take so long?

The haggling over the national debt-ceiling deal exposed a growing issue for Congress: the influence of ideological pledges is limiting prospects for compromise.
John Boehner walks out of White House debt-ceiling talks. What now?

On an extraordinary night of political theater, President Obama railed on House Republicans for walking away from a debt-ceiling deal, only to see House Speaker John Boehner offer a rebuttal. Congress now seems eager to ignore the White House and do the job itself.
Obama holds another town hall on debt ceiling: How much is too much?

President Obama runs the risk of overexposure, not to mention alienating his base, if he keeps holding public chats about compromise on the debt ceiling. But he's got his reasons for being so vocal.
Why an accurate US account of the bin Laden attack is so important

The fumbled recountings of the attack on the bin Laden compound undermine the operation itself and the credibility of the US government, analysts say. It also helped to fuel conspiracy theories.
After Osama bin Laden's death, Congress rethinks aid to Pakistan

The killing of Osama bin Laden could have a profound effect on three big issues in American policy: aid to Pakistan, the usefulness of harsh interrogation techniques, and the Afghanistan war.
If Gov. Scott Walker prevails, will Wisconsin look more like the South?

The South's small-government, pro-business, boot-strap ideals are drawing jobs to states in the region. That economic model may hold appeal for Wisconsin's Scott Walker and other Northern GOP governors. But it also has a dark side.
Wisconsin labor unrest spills across Lake Michigan

The AFL-CIO is planning a protest Tuesday in Lansing, Michigan. This follows ongoing labor unrest in Wisconsin and Ohio over plans to reform public sector collective bargaining rules.
Wisconsin protests: why 'week of rage' matters to rest of America

Wisconsin protests at the state Capitol pit a new wave of tea party-inspired Republicans against Democrats defending their most cherished ideals. It's a political drama that echoes across the country and could play out again across the newly 'red' Midwest.
Obama tax deal gets nod from Senate. Will House risk making changes?

Senators vote to end debate on GOP-Obama tax deal, clearing the way for its passage. Attention now shifts to the House, where liberal Democrats are expected to discuss revisions.
Leadership shuffle in Congress? The drama is all on the winning side.

In both chambers of Congress, the postelection intrigue about leadership posts is mostly on the Republican side of the aisle, as the GOP establishment confronts the tea party insurgency.
Election 2010: What gets done if the GOP takes over Capitol Hill

GOP control of one or both houses of Congress after Election 2010 would be seen as a setback for President Obama. But history shows that divided government can work to a president's advantage.
Charles Rangel careens toward House trial; Democrats keen to avoid it

A hearing by House ethics investigators is expected to convene Thursday for Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel. In an election season, corruption allegations can be toxic for the party in power.
Senate bogs down on tax extenders and unemployment benefits

The bill would have extended tax credits and unemployment benefits, but it failed on a procedural vote. Many Republicans say they support the aims of the legislation, but they want to see more effort to cut spending.
Republicans relent, clear financial reform bill for debate

After three days of blocking tactics, Republicans allowed the financial reform bill to proceed. What's next? Weeks of amendments as Republicans – and some on the left – try to change the bill.
Is Harry Reid smart to push for a vote on financial reform?

Senate majority leader Harry Reid has announced that a procedural vote on the financial reform bill will take place Monday. Is he smart to schedule the vote so soon?
As healthcare reform vote nears, some lawmakers still deciding

It’s still in flux whether Democratic leaders have the 216 votes needed for passage of healthcare reform. Some lawmakers have announced they'll vote 'yes,' while others have shifted to 'no.'
Healthcare reform: Reaching finish line comes down to trust

Cutting deals to nail down votes is under way leading up to a House vote on healthcare reform. Trust that promises will be kept is key, but it's been eroding between House and Senate this session.
Al Franken could be US fiscal savior

A star-struck economist explains her hopes for Sen. Al Franken.
Obama open to four Republican healthcare ideas

President Obama says he is 'exploring' four Republican healthcare ideas from last week's summit, in a bow to bipartisanship seen largely as a public relations move.