Topic: U.S. Democratic Party

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Obama in Boston as Markey calls on party's big guns to fend off Gomez (+video)

With memories of Republican Scott Brown's upset win in the last special Senate election in the deep blue state still fresh, Markey needs Obama et al to remind voters an election is taking place.
USA Update George W. Bush back in favor? His ratings make a surprising jump.

More Americans now view George W. Bush favorably than unfavorably, according to a Gallup poll. It's typical for ex-presidents to see their ratings rise, but Mr. Bush's jump is significant.
Senate Republicans help immigration bill advance, but will they vote for it? (+video)

The vote Tuesday was proof, say supporters of immigration reform, that the majority of Senate Republicans believe it would be politically toxic to be labeled obstructionists.
Backchannels Americans say they are pretty comfortable with expanded government surveillance (+video)

The new polling from Pew suggests that the latest leaks aren't likely to change policy.
Kelly Ayotte, GOP Senator from New Hampshire, to back immigration overhaul

Kelly Ayotte's statement made her one of the first Republicans who didn't write the bill to line up behind the proposal that would offer a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally.
Little urgency, a lot of politicking in Illinois over deepening pension crisis (+video)

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) has called lawmakers back into session to try to deal with the state's unfunded pension obligation. But expectations are low for a resolution, even though Democrats control both chambers and the state's credit rating is taking a beating.
Senate seat scramble is on in N.J.: how Christie, GOP may benefit from it

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie named state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa as a place holder and set a special election to replace the late US Sen. Frank Lautenberg. In a heavily Democratic state, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is the one to watch.
Showered in boos, Republicans feed Democratic immigration reform fears

House Republicans on Thursday voted to strip administrative protection from the young undocumented immigrants whom President Obama sought to shield from deportation last year. The move played to Democratic concerns that the GOP isn't serious about immigration reform.
Are budget negotiations helpful or a sellout? No surprise, GOP is split

GOP leader Rep. Tom Price explains why he wants to start negotiations with Senate Democrats over how to strike a budget deal. Tea partyers in the Senate are blocking talks.
Obama turns tables on GOP: no compromise on judicial nominations

Obama slams Republicans for 'unprecedented' obstruction of his judicial nominees, and Sen. Harry Reid vows no compromise on a student loan deal, as Democrats take a page from the Republican playbook.
Decoder Wire Can White House help Democrats campaign this year? Paging Michelle Obama.

Arguably the most popular surrogate for her husband’s 2012 reelection campaign, the first lady is stumping in key 2013 races, untainted by the brouhahas polarizing Washington.
With three nominations to D.C. Circuit court, Obama gets aggressive (+video)

President Obama will move Tuesday to fill all three vacancies on the D.C. Circuit, America's top federal appeals court after the Supreme Court and a training ground for future justices. Republicans are already fighting back.
Might Chris Christie put a Democrat in Frank Lautenberg's Senate seat? (+video)

New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg's passing Monday gives Gov. Chris Christie a juicy opportunity to help Republicans cut into the Democratic majority in the Senate. But one can't rule out that he'll name a Democrat.
Decoder Wire Does someone at White House want Eric Holder gone? (+video)

An anonymous source in The New York Times says the White House is displeased by Attorney General Eric Holder's tin ear for scandal. It could be seen as a gentle nudge toward the door.
Tea party firebrand Michele Bachmann to quit House next year (+video)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) of Minnesota said Wednesday she will not seek reelection to a fifth House term. The tea party standard-bearer and former GOP presidential hopeful did not disclose her future plans.
Energy Voices Keystone XL: Hot topic in D.C. Ho-hum in rest of US.

The House of Representatives issued another symbolic vote Wednesday in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline. But after years of debate, a new poll shows half of Americans have never heard of it. Is anyone listening to the Keystone XL pipeline debate?
Verbal Energy Why 'spokesperson' still irks me

Not all gender-specific language is sexist.
Opinion Hey, Congress: It's comprehensive immigration reform or nothing

Some members of Congress argue that the Senate immigration reform bill should be broken up and considered piecemeal. But only comprehensive legislation will pull together the strange-bedfellow coalition necessary to secure enough votes to pass both the House and Senate.
Fiery nominee brings 'Herman Cain phenomenon' to Virginia governors race

Virginia's Republican nominee for governor, Ken Cuccinelli, is tacking to the center, but Republicans picked a strong conservative, E.W. Jackson, to run for the No. 2 slot. Democrats dub him extreme.
Decoder Wire Might Obama fire Attorney General Eric Holder?

Justice Department's pursuit of media leaks, which led to a subpoena of AP phone records, has GOP officials (and some Democrats) calling for the head of Attorney General Eric Holder. Here are three reasons Obama is not likely to oblige.
Why it's John McCain, maverick, stumping for Gomez in Massachusetts

In the Massachusetts Senate race, underdog Gabriel Gomez enlisted the help Monday of GOP maverick-in-chief John McCain. There's a reason he called on McCain and not, say, Newt Gingrich.
The good news – and the bad news – for Obama in scandal-tinged polls

President Obama's approval rating has not slipped in public opinion polls despite a trio of political scandals. But most Americans don't think much of the way the administration has handled the issues, and they believe further investigation is justified.
IRS scandal becomes Republican battering ram against Obamacare (+video)

Republican lawmakers say the scandal over Internal Revenue Service scrutiny of conservative groups raises new doubts about President Obama’s health-insurance reform law.
Can Democrats find moderate candidates in time for midterms?

Democrats may struggle to recruit moderate and conservative-leaning candidates for the 2014 midterm elections in states with the most competitive Senate races.
Hearing on IRS: What ousted chief offers, Republicans don't buy

Steven Miller, who resigned as acting IRS head this week, argued that the extra scrutiny for conservative groups amounted to ‘foolish mistakes.’ House Republicans see some problems reaching the White House.