Topic: U.S. Liberal Politics

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From Willie Horton to windsurfing: Five top political attack ads

Political attacks ads: love 'em or hate 'em, but they’re here to stay, and this election year stands to be a watershed moment in their use. Here's a look at what are considered to be some of the most memorable and effective attack ads utilized over the years.
Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
Bill Clinton: 5 reasons he is helping Obama

Four years ago, former President Clinton got his knuckles rapped for calling Sen. Barack Obama's presidential aspirations a "fairy tale." Now the 42nd president is appearing on the stump with No. 44. Here are five reasons for Mr. Clinton to go all out for the newest member of the Presidents Club.
'The Presidents' Club': 10 stories about relationships between American presidents

From Truman to Obama, 10 stories of friendships and feuds between US presidents.
Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

Tired of the 2012 presidential race? 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially for Democrats looking hungrily at a nomination race that will not include President Obama. Speculation has already started over who might run – fueled by no less a figure than former President Clinton, who has suggested in recent TV interviews that his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the possible contenders.

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Decoder Wire
Psst, students. Still hope for low-rate student loans, despite Senate balking

Without a fix, interest on some subsidized federal student loans would double to 6.8 percent starting July 1. But Thursday's Senate votes are still just theater. Expect parties to haggle over the cash until June 29.
From Willie Horton to windsurfing: Five top political attack ads

Political attacks ads: love 'em or hate 'em, but they’re here to stay, and this election year stands to be a watershed moment in their use. Here's a look at what are considered to be some of the most memorable and effective attack ads utilized over the years.
Egypt votes with hope and fear

Egyptians took the the polls today in the first competitive presidential election in a lifetime, brought on by last year's populist uprising.
Decoder Wire
Obama loses 42 percent of Kentucky, Arkansas primary vote. Should he worry? (+video)

No and yes. The key issue here may be whether the Kentucky and Arkansas primaries are a portent of trouble for President Obama in North Carolina, a crucial swing state.
Decoder Wire
Cory Booker comments: How badly have they hurt President Obama? (+video)

Mayor Cory Booker was so far off-message about the Obama campaign that he couldn’t even see the Democratic Party message. With campaign surrogates like that, who needs election opponents?
Senate Republicans plead for a budget as frustrations boil over

Senate Republicans proposed five budgets Wednesday, but the Democratic-controlled Senate defeated them all. Republicans say Democrats are punting on tough choices, Democrats say they already have a budget.
Obama helps re-election campaign and Dems by raising almost $44 million in April

President Obama raised that amount, almost nine million dollars less than what he raised in March, with more than 400,000 people contributing.
Boycott Mayberry? How North Carolina lost its shine for Obama.

After helping put President Obama over the top in 2008, North Carolina seemed the perfect place to hold the 2012 Democratic National Convention. But the Southern state has become symbolic of the economic and social headwinds Obama faces in his reelection.
Gay marriage: Clooney fundraiser a hint of coming Obama money boom (+video)

President Obama's support for gay marriage is energizing gay and lesbian activists, whose support could help offset Wall Street's support for Mitt Romney. The Clooney fundraiser was just a taste.
Gay marriage now front and center in battleground states (+video)

President Obama's support for the unions has pushed the issue into the spotlight.
Decoder Wire
How the sequester could save Democrats in December

Congress has an apocalyptic list of issues to deal with after the November elections, including the Bush tax cuts and the sequester. Any chance for compromise could rest on Democrats' willingness to be as ruthless as Republicans have been.
House races won't hang on Obama gay marriage move, says a top Democrat

Obama’s new stance in favor of gay marriage is unlikely to have a big impact on Democrats’ fight to take control of the House, says Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Decoder Wire
Obama event at George Clooney's house: Bad to be 'celebrity in chief'? (+video)

The Hollywood glitterati will be out in force for the sold-out fundraiser at George Clooney's place. The event will be a lucrative one for Obama's campaign, but the GOP is hoping to cash in too.
Obama, North Carolina at odds on gay marriage: Will it cost him the state? (+video)

Obama announced his support for gay marriage a day after North Carolina, which he won narrowly in 2008, voted for a constitutional ban on such unions. The Democratic convention is in Charlotte, but that's no guarantee.
Democrats try to put Scott Brown on defensive with new ethics charge

The Massachusetts race for the Senate seat held by Scott Brown is gathering in intensity, with Brown and Democrats supporting challenger Elizabeth Warren trading ethics charges.
Ouch! Obama loses 41 percent of W.Va. primary vote to federal inmate.

Meet Keith Judd, who's incarcerated in Texas for extortion. He's also a serial presidential candidate, and in West Virginia's Democratic primary Tuesday, he grabbed 41 percent of the vote from President Obama. Republicans are gleeful.
Why North Carolina banned gay marriage (+video)

Republicans and African Americans in North Carolina were united in supporting a constitutional ban on gay marriage. The North Carolina is a key swing state in the 2012 presidential election.
Student loans: GOP filibuster blocks Senate move to freeze low rates

Student loans will cost more come July 1 unless Congress acts. While both parties say they support extending low rates on federally subsidized loans, election-year politics have intervened.
Austerity votes in Europe show that GOP is wrong, top Democrat says

Austerity agendas in France and Greece resulted in voter rebellions this week. It's a sign that the GOP's austerity program for the US is mistaken, says Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
Romney: President Obama should not be tried for treason

Obama's likely Republican opponent told reporters after a campaign rally Monday in Cleveland that 'no, of course' the president should not be tried for such an offense.
Wisconsin recall election: Which Democrat will face Governor Walker?

Wisconsin holds a primary Tuesday to choose Gov. Scott Walker’s opponent in the recall election. It could come down to independent voters, but how they’ll vote could be complicated.
Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
Michelle Obama in Arizona: Could it swing to Democrats?

Michelle Obama campaigned for her husband in Arizona and Colorado Monday. Mrs. Obama will be in Nevada and New Mexico Tuesday.
Bill Clinton: 5 reasons he is helping Obama

Four years ago, former President Clinton got his knuckles rapped for calling Sen. Barack Obama's presidential aspirations a "fairy tale." Now the 42nd president is appearing on the stump with No. 44. Here are five reasons for Mr. Clinton to go all out for the newest member of the Presidents Club.
US Senate race in Virginia shaping up as national battleground

In Virginia's US Senate race, Democrat Tim Kaine isn't Barack Obama, and Republican George Allen isn't Mitt Romney or the House GOP leadership. But you wouldn't know it from the special-interest ads pouring into this key battleground state.