Topic: Ronald Reagan

Obama, Hillary Clinton top Gallup's most admired: Who else is on the list?

President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both extended their winning streaks as the man and woman most admired by Americans. The women's list is more diverse than the men's.

George H.W. Bush out of intensive care, on the mend

Former President George H.W. Bush has been moved from the intensive care unit to a regular room in Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. Bush, who is 88, was admitted for respiratory problems following a bought of bronchitis.

Decoder Wire
Might Ben Affleck try leap from Hollywood to US Senate? So far, he's cagey.

The actor and director says he's 'happy being involved from outside in government.' But Ben Affleck didn't exactly put the kibosh on talk about a possible run for John Kerry's Senate seat.

Tax VOX
What changing the consumer price index would mean for taxpayers

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.

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.

As North Korea celebrates surprise rocket launch, alarm mounts abroad (+video)

North Korea went ahead with a rocket launch despite international pressure to call it off. Critics say the launch masks a weapons development effort and is a clear violation of UN sanctions.

Frank Sinatra: 10 quotes on his birthday

Frank Sinatra was born on Dec. 12, 1915. His lengthy music and film career spanned decades, from 1935 when he got his first break to 1995 when he sang in front of a live audience for the last time.

Opinion: 'Fiscal cliff' or not, tax reform is easier said than done

As part of any deal on the 'fiscal cliff,' Congress will likely take up comprehensive tax reform. That's a worthy goal, but it will involve more political and economic pain than most would like to admit. Every line in the tax code has its own constituency and rationale.

Charlie Crist joins the Democrats: What drives a political chameleon?

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to become a Democrat suggests to his critics that he's prepping for a 2014 run against Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Dave Brubeck was jazz pioneer, helped define the rhythms of the 20th century (+video)

Dave Brubeck was best known for pieces such as 'Take Five,' which featured challenging rhythms.

15 best books of 2012 – nonfiction

Here are the Monitor's picks for the 15 best nonfiction books of 2012.

Former President George H. W. Bush expected to recover

After being admitted to the Texas Medical Center last Friday, former President George H. W. Bush is now predicted to be released within 72 hours. Bush served as the 41st president, taking office in 1989. 

Laura Ingraham goes off the air – to pursue modern dance?

Laura Ingraham, a conservative talk radio host, has left the Talk Radio Network after 9 years. Laura Ingraham jokes that she plans to pursue modern dance and the xylophone. If those don't work out, she'll go back to radio.

Supreme Court rejects Idaho case on prohibiting the insanity defense

Idaho is one of four states that do not permit criminal defendants to claim they are innocent by reason of insanity. On Monday, the US Supreme Court declined to take a case testing whether an insanity defense is a constitutional right.

Focus
Rebuilding the GOP: Can Republicans pitch a bigger tent?

The party must come to grips with the 'demographic realities' reshaping the US electorate and devise new strategies for connecting with growing populations of minorities, single women, and youth.

Decoder Wire
Has the White House turkey pardon jumped the shark? (+video)

The annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, dating back to JFK, is now a highly choreographed affair, involving two turkeys, their 'bios,' and a Facebook vote to decide who gets to be the official White House bird.

Fla. GOP tries to defeat Crist before he can run

Many speculate that former Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican turned independent who supported President Obama, may run against Gov. Rick Scott as a Democrat in 2014. Florida Republicans are trying hard to discredit Crist.

Superstorm was super-test for state and local leaders

Experts have given New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg good reviews for their performances after hurricane Sandy.

$53 million scam. Reagan's hometown robbed. Guilty plea?

$53 million scam could result in guilty verdict by former comptroller of Dixon, Ill. Prosecutors say Rita Crundwell's $53 million scam let her fund successful horse-breeding operation.

Opinion: To avoid 'fiscal cliff,' try mediation

The 'fiscal cliff' needs urgent attention, but the election returned the same House/Senate/White House configuration that failed to agree on the budget ceiling in 2011. More active participation by President Obama combined with mediation could help bridge the congressional divide.

Stefan Karlsson
California now a liberal Democratic one-party state

The most recent election illustrates a greater shift to the left in California, Karlsson writes.

Opinion: How President Obama can win over Congress (+ video)

He may have won the election, but now President Obama faces enormous challenges in the House and Senate – among Republicans and Democrats. To succeed, he must do what does not come naturally to him: Spend lots of quality time with lawmakers of both parties.

Large Hispanic support for Obama worries GOP

According to initial exit polls, Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who backed hard-line immigration measures, came away with 27 percent Hispanic support, less than any presidential candidate in 16 years.

Paul Ryan returns to House: Is he ready for bigger role in GOP?

Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin missed out on becoming vice president, but he retained his House seat. Now, he might be able to parlay his heightened exposure into greater clout.