Topic: U.S. Democratic Party Politics
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Can immigration reform pass? Five senators to watch.
Immigration reform will pass the Senate before the Fourth of July, Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D) of Nevada has vowed. Here are five key senators (or groups of senators) that will be pivotal during the two weeks of debate.
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Where do things stand at Guantánamo? Six basic questions answered.
President Obama this week pledged to “reengage” with Congress to find a way to close the terror detention camp at the Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, naval base. The renewed focus comes as 100 of the 166 detainees are reported to be engaged in a hunger strike. Here is a brief look at where things stand now.
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Four reasons Republicans are embracing the 'sequester'
Republicans, it is clear, are conflicted on the "sequester." How did they come to embrace it? Here are four reasons.
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If not 'sequester,' then what? Five ideas from left and right.
Few in Washington believe that "the sequester,” $85 billion in automatic spending cuts set to hit the federal budget as of March 1, is a good idea. But what's the alternative? Here are five proposals, from the right, the center, and the left, to replace the sequester. Which do you like?
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Eight open US Senate seats in 2014
Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.
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In Mass. Senate race could Scott Brown win again?
Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown lost the general election to Elizabeth Warren, but could make a run for Sen. John Kerry's seat. But has Brown, once a tea party favorite, alienated national conservative groups?
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Sen. Jay Rockefeller to retire. Can Republicans seize opportunity?
Early polls showed five-term Democrat Jay Rockefeller trailing GOP Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. While his withdrawal opens the door to a Republican gain, Capito could be vulnerable on the right.
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Debt-ceiling showdown: 4 reasons it's not a replay of 2011
In 2011, Congress and President Obama went to the brink of government default when congressional Republicans balked at raising the nation's debt ceiling. The spring of 2013 appears to have another debt ceiling fight in store. Here are the top four things that have changed.
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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:
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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.
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Republicans 'Plan B' fails. What's next to avoid going over 'fiscal cliff'? (+video)
House Speaker John Boehner could not muster enough support Thursday night from his fellow Republicans, a majority in the US House of Representatives, to pass his bill called 'Plan B' that he had hoped to use to avoid the so called 'fiscal cliff.'
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Newark's Booker won't run for NJ gov, sets sights on US Senate seat
The decision, announced Thursday on Twitter, means Booker has decided against a possible campaign against Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
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John Boehner's fiscal 'Plan B': What is it for and can it pass?
With a 'fiscal cliff' deal appearing closer than ever, Boehner offered up a fallback 'Plan B.' It seems designed to make Democrats uncomfortable and provide cover for Republicans ... if they pass it.
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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.
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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.
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Decoder Wire How bad is the GOP's image problem?
A new survey puts the GOP last in the ratings of 11 political figures and institutions. But the tide of US politics ebbs and flows – and in the 'fiscal cliff' negotiations, many Americans appear to be holding both sides accountable.
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Why union protests won't stop Michigan's new 'right-to-work' law
Some 10,000 protesters are expected to turn out Tuesday. But Michigan is likely to become the 24th "right-to-work" state because Republicans have majorities in the legislature.
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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.
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Decoder Wire Ashley Judd for Senate: Could she win? (+video)
Charlie Cook’s Political Report website lists actress/activist Ashley Judd as a possible Democratic nominee in the 2014 Kentucky Senate race. But so far, she hasn't given a definite 'yes' to running.
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Italy votes in center-left primary, moves closer to choosing next prime minister
The next general election in Italy, in the spring, will determine who will lead the country as it struggles to recover from recession and high unemployment. On Sunday, Italy held a primary runoff for center-left candidates.
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Obama won, so why is his campaign still chugging along? (+video)
Obama for America sent its supporters a questionnaire Monday, asking which issues they'd like to organize around. But OFA's impact the first term was marginal at best. The reason it's still going is something else entirely.
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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.
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Obama kicks off 'fiscal cliff' negotiations with Congressional leaders Friday
At issue is a combination of expiring tax cuts and across-the-board spending cuts set to hit in January ifObama and Congress can't reach a deal.
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Decoder Wire Women step up in House GOP leadership. Why that's just a start.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers rises to the No. 4 position in the House GOP leadership, which saw a net add of one woman to its roster. But the party lags badly in having women among its ranks in Congress.
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Briefing Petraeus scandal: Did anything illegal happen? Five questions so far.
An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has now called into question the private lives and careers of two of the nation’s top national-security officials. Here is an accounting of what is known so far.
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Monitor Breakfast Tax cuts as path to revenue growth? A 'fairy tale,' says Senator Schumer.
It is time to debunk the Republican myth that tax cuts will lead to growth in government revenues, says Sen. Charles Schumer, vice chairman of the Democratic Conference.
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GOP gives a top House spot to a woman (+video)
One of the top leadership positions in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives will go to Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represents Washington state. The move comes after Republicans fared poorly with female voters in last week' election.
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Decoder Wire Should Nancy Pelosi rightfully be speaker of the House?
The GOP is claiming a mandate for its policy positions because it retained control of the House of Representatives. But Democrats actually won more votes than Republicans did for House seats.
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Why Nancy Pelosi wants to stay on as House minority leader
Rep. Nancy Pelosi is set to preside over the most diverse House Democratic Caucus in history, with a majority being women and minorities. But her continuation was the subject of GOP scrutiny.
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Angus King of Maine helps Senate tilt toward Democrats
Angus King, an Independent, won Republican Olympia Snowe's Senate seat earlier this month. Angus King says he has decided to caucus with Democrats, giving them a 10-vote advantage in the Senate starting in January.
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