Topic: U.S. Democratic Party

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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.
Could 'fiscal cliff' push US into recession? Five questions answered.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned in a report Tuesday that if Congress does not deal with a raft of fiscal measures by Dec. 31, the US could enter another recession. So what is this fiscal cliff and what is Congress doing about it?
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.
Mitt Romney's five biggest liabilities as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the tables. So what exactly does Mitt Romney bring to the table, in both positive and negative ways? Here are the liabilities:
Briefing
Six 2012 races where the tea party counts

After playing kingmaker in the 2010 election cycle, the tea party movement is having a less prominent role in 2012. But its support or opposition could swing some key races and even determine whether Republicans win control of the Senate. Here are six US Senate contests where the tea party could make a difference.

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Tax VOX
How the debt limit delay will affect US fiscal policy

What if hitting the statutory debt limit does not happen until sometime in the first quarter of 2013? That is increasingly likely, say the folks who watch this sort of thing. And it would completely change the politics of the coming train wreck.
Robert Reich
Obama and Cory Booker: Fairness is essential to growth

Fairness isn’t inconsistent with growth; it’s essential to it. The only way the economy can grow and create more jobs is if prosperity is more widely shared.
Brown calls on Harvard to 'correct record' on Elizabeth Warren's heritage

Sen. Scott Brown wants to know why Harvard listed his rival, Elizabeth Warren, as a native American professor. The issue has not tipped the race yet, but it could, the Brown camp says.
What Congress has planned after Memorial Day

Congress will be racing to complete a number of priorities between Memorial Day and the August recess, all under the shadow of massive fiscal issues looming at year's end.
Decoder Wire
Obama blames Romney for spreading 'cow pie of distortion.' Is he right? (+video)

Mitt Romney had criticized the Obama administration's accumulation of US debt. Big numbers such as America’s debt may seem solid, but they’re not.
In Iowa, Obama on the offensive against Romney

He criticized the GOP nominee for distorting the truth and said he wasn't prepared to be President.
Federal Reserve official: If Congress dawdles, economy will fall 3 percent

Congress must sort out a raft of fiscal issues before Jan. 1, or it will cost the US economy dearly, said New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley.
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.
Senate committee cuts Pakistan aid over doctor's conviction

After a Pakistani court sentenced the doctor who helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden to 33 years for treason, a US Senate panel voted Thursday to cut aid to Pakistan by $33 million.
Could 'fiscal cliff' push US into recession? Five questions answered.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned in a report Tuesday that if Congress does not deal with a raft of fiscal measures by Dec. 31, the US could enter another recession. So what is this fiscal cliff and what is Congress doing about it?
Decoder Wire
Has Cory Booker hurt his own political career? (+video)

Don't look for a prime time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention for Cory Booker, but his defense of Wall Street – and criticism of the Obama campaign – won't hurt his standing with moderates or Wall Street donors.
Mitt Romney's voucher-like education overhaul (+video)

Romney, who has been reluctant to stray far from the economic issues at the core of the presidential campaign, was outlining the proposal during a speech Wednesday at the US Chamber of Commerce.
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.
Romney still finding his legs on Bain attacks

He has yet to develop a coherent, consistent response to the President's attacks.
Cory Booker: Have the Democrats figured out how to respond?

Team Romney is trying to milk the rogue comments by Obama ally Cory Booker for all they're worth. But Obama's press conference in Chicago has given his own team some ammunition.
Decoder Wire
Is Congress broken? Startup Act shows what can work.

The Startup Act is a modest piece of pro-business legislation unveiled Tuesday. It won't change the world, but that's why it may pass. In a partisan Congress, 'good' may be better than 'perfect.' 
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?
Romney's record at Bain Capital is fair game, Obama says (+video)

President Obama's comments come a day after Newark Mayor Cory Booker, usually an Obama ally, criticized the Obama campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's work in private equity.
Obama's Cory Booker problem: allies undercut anti-Bain message

Cory Booker, Newark's charismatic mayor, back-tracked on his defense of Mitt Romney's company, Bain, but only part-way. Other Obama supporters are muddying his message on private equity, too.
Robert Reich
Mitt Romney's skewed praise of Bill Clinton

Mitt Romney has been praising Bill Clinton even as he heaps scorn on Obama, trying to associate himself with someone more popular and court the white male vote. It might backfire.
Why aren't more conservatives donating to Mitt Romney?

Mitt Romney raised $40 million last month. But an analysis of Romney's fundraising shows that many wealthy conservatives, who backed rivals Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, aren't donating to Romney's campaign.
John Edwards trial jury deliberations continue Monday

The jury of eight men and four women will resume their deliberations in the campaign finance case against the former Democratic presidential contender.
Cory Booker 'very uncomfortable' with Obama's attack on Romney (+video)

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is a campaign surrogate for Barack Obama and a rising Democratic star. But he finds himself ‘very uncomfortable’ with Obama’s attacks on Mitt Romney’s business record.
Health-care protest bills get Missouri OK

Health-care bills taking a swipe and President Obama's health-care program passed the Missouri legislature this week. One allows employers to refuse health insurance for birth control; the other would let voters decide whether to allow the creation of a health-insurance exchange.