Topic: U.S. Republican Party
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Focus
Republican Party 2.0: 4 GOP leaders share ideas for political upgrade
In the aftermath of election 2012, four prominent Republicans share their visions for how the GOP can adapt its messaging to reflect a diversifying US electorate.
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'Fiscal cliff' 101: 5 basic questions answered
President Obama and congressional leaders are working to stop the US from going over the “fiscal cliff,” a combination of higher taxes and lower spending set to take effect Jan. 1. Here are five steps to understanding what's going on.
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6 ways to avoid the 'fiscal cliff'
Republican congressional leaders and President Obama sharply disagree over how to deal with the impending “fiscal cliff.” But a successful plan shouldn’t be that hard to put in place. Here are six ways Washington can avoid the “fiscal cliff.”
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War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.
The threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.
All Content
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Robert Reich
Why billionaires will still pour millions into politicsAs income and wealth become ever more concentrated in America, the nation’s corporations and billionaires will invest even more in politics, Reich writes.
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Should Michigan GOP brace for reprisal over 'right to work' law?
When Republicans in Wisconsin and Ohio took on Big Labor, unions fought back ferociously. But Michigan's GOP lawmakers, calculating the political risks of pushing a 'right to work' law, may have looked to Indiana as a better precedent.
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Should estate tax rise in a 'fiscal cliff' deal? Why some ultra-rich say yes.
While much of the focus in the 'fiscal cliff' debate has been on income taxes, the group of wealthy Americans says an estate tax 'promotes democracy by slowing the concentration of wealth and power.'
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Decoder Wire
Is Stephen Colbert trying to buy Senate seat in South Carolina?Stephen Colbert's decision to campaign for the seat being vacated by GOP Sen. Jim DeMint gives the famous funnyman yet another chance to educate Americans on how to game the US campaign finance system.
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Decoder Wire
Senator Jenny Sanford? Why it might be a smart pick.Jenny Sanford, ex-wife of South Carolina's ex-governor, is reportedly on the short list to fill outgoing Sen. Jim DeMint's seat. It could present the GOP with a much-needed opportunity to appeal to women.
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The Vote
Michigan 'right to work' law: Worse for unions than Wisconsin setback? (+video)Wisconsin revoked collective bargaining for most public-sector unions, a slap to the labor movement. Michigan's bid to become a 'right to work' state is an even bigger blow to unions.
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Economic optimism falls. Are 'fiscal cliff' worries to blame?
A new Monitor/TIPP poll shows Americans' outlook on the economy soured in December, across the board – coinciding with the 'fiscal cliff' standoff. For Republicans, economic optimism has hit rock bottom.
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Robert Reich
Fiscal cliff overshadows inequality in the heartlandAs Washington fiddles over the fiscal cliff, a larger battle over inequality is being waged all over America, Reich writes.
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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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In right-to-work debate where's the evidence? (+video)
Neither supporters nor opponents of right-to-work legislation in Michigan have been able to prove right-to-work laws in other states have a significant impact on the economy.
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Americans' 'fiscal cliff' fix? Cut government spending – but not Medicare.
A new Monitor/TIPP poll finds Americans favor cutting government spending to solve the fiscal cliff, but few want to cut entitlements such as Medicare, which make up most of the budget.
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Stocks edge higher; Dow boosted by McDonald's
Stocks rose Monday despite concerns about the surprise resignation of Italy's prime minister. A strong sales report from McDonald's pushed stocks higher on Wall Street.
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Decoder Wire
Are Republicans really 'incapable' of beating Hillary Clinton in 2016?Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said over the weekend that his party could not rise to Mrs. Clinton's level. But she might not be as formidable as it appears.
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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.
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Obama, Boehner meet to discuss 'fiscal cliff' negotiations (+video)
The President and Speaker of the House met privately at the White House on Sunday.
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More Republicans agree to higher tax rates for the wealthy
Recognizing that President Obama has the upper hand, more Republicans say they're now willing to consider higher tax rates for the wealthy. On Sunday, it was Sen. Bob Corker (R) of Tennessee.
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Obama's Medicaid expansion: How many states are likely to rebel?
The Supreme Court ruled that states do not have to abide by the expansion of Medicaid under President Obama's health-care law. There are strong economic arguments on both sides.
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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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Obama's other option on pot: Legalize it for everyone?
Under federal law, Uncle Sam could try to block marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado. But there's another option: President Obama could pull the US out of the marijuana wars.
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Why Obama insists on higher tax rates for the wealthy
As the 'fiscal cliff' looms closer, President Obama says higher tax rates for the wealthy – not just revenue from limiting deductions and other sources – is his nonnegotiable demand.
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Obama: Republicans blocking middle-class tax cuts
President Barack Obama said Saturday that Republicans in the House are blocking a bill that would prevent a tax increase on the first $250,000 of income earned by all Americans.
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Decoder Wire
Will high approval ratings boost Obama's leverage in 'fiscal cliff' talks?Friday brought a better-than-expected jobs report and the highest approval ratings for President Obama since the killing of Osama bin Laden. Maybe more important, the public believes he'll be able to improve the economy over the next four years.
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Why Obama's approval rating is rising
President Obama's approval rating rose to 57 percent - up 5 percent since the election, and the highest since May 2011 after the Osama bin Laden raid, according to a new AP/Gfk poll. Most say Obama can help improve the economy.
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Fiscal cliff debate: 'Lines of communication are open'
Spokespeople for both sides of the fiscal cliff debate indicated that they may be communicating. In the meantime, economists warned that failure to strike a deal could strike a blow to the economy, perhaps plunging the country back into recession.
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Michigan Senate puts right-to-work on a 'fast track' (+video)
After hours of debate, Michigan's Senate approved right-to-work legislation on Thursday. Supports say the right-to-work measure will boost jobs, while opponents worry that labor will lose some of its bargaining power.
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