US POLITICS & ELECTIONS

Political news & 2008 Presidential elections coverage from Politico.com

In the jittery days following Scott Brown’s Senate victory, Nancy Pelosi was eager to resurrect comprehensive health reform. But first, she had to get past longtime ally Rahm Emanuel, who was counseling President Barack Obama to consider a smaller, piecemeal approach. During a mid-February conference call with top House Democrats, Pelosi made it clear she would accept nothing short... Full story »

For Republicans watching helplessly as Nancy Pelosi rounded up the final votes to pass health care reform Sunday, they were a sight for sore eyes. Thousands of Tea Party protesters filled Upper Senate park on Saturday, holding the hill in a last ditch effort to kill the Democrat's health care bill. "Boy, how it lifts my spirits to see... Full story »

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle take to this Sunday's television talk hows, where the planned afternoon health care vote in the House is sure to be the topic of the day. NBC’s “Meet the Press” has House Majority Leader Steney Hoyer (D-Md.) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), as well as the two national party chairmen -... Full story »

It’s coming down to abortion – again. As a historic overhaul of the nation’s health care system picked up steam Friday, House leaders were still negotiating with Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) to free up the votes of a small band of anti-abortion lawmakers who could put the tally over the top – and with the congresswomen who were poised... Full story »

On this day in 2003, President George W. Bush announced the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The U.S.-led military strike, according to Bush, sought to rid Iraq of its dictator, Saddam Hussein, and eliminate its ability to develop and deploy weapons of mass destruction. Bush said, “Helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained... Full story »

Gloomy economic news and disheartening employment numbers are everywhere. But Washington is here to help, right? Well, no. Congress and the administration seem to think that all they have to do is craft policy that gives businesses an incentive to grow and growth will occur. The problem is that businesses aren’t out there looking for ways to grow right... Full story »

On this day in 1899, Rep. Veronica Grace Boland, the first woman to serve in Congress from Pennsylvania, was born in Scranton. Boland served for two months in the 77th Congress, which sat from 1941 to 1943, during the first months of U.S. involvement in World War II. She completed the term of her late husband, Rep. Patrick J.... Full story »

The House’s competing partisan pledges to crack down on earmarks have defense firms and lobbyists racing to assess the fallout. Democrats vow to end earmarks to for-profit companies for at least one year, and Republicans are eschewing them altogether. The changes aren’t expected to affect the nation’s largest defense contractors, which often rely not on conventional earmarks but on... Full story »

POLITICO's Arena contributors discuss if House Dems will use parliamentary tricks to pass health care. Ross Baker, political scientist, Rutgers University Since the reforms of the 1970s made almost everything subject to a voice vote, the opportunity for members of Congress to obtain political cover in order to cast controversial votes has almost vanished. A deeming resolution, which is,... Full story »

This final hour of the health care battle looks promising for Barack Obama — political analysts say he is winning back the base, and even the skeptical Paul Krugman is “impressed.” But this conventional wisdom is wrong. Obama never actually “lost” his core supporters in the first place. He does have a problem with the base. But it is about... Full story »

The Federal Communications Commission, under Chairman Julius Genachowski, is scheduled to deliver the National Broadband Plan to Congress today. This far-reaching and much-anticipated proposal seeks to ensure that every person in America has access to affordable mobile broadband. Our nation needs universal mobile broadband, so that Americans have high-speed Internet access — no matter where they live, work or... Full story »

Rosenblum climbs Cablevision ladder Lisa Rosenblum has been promoted to executive vice president of government and public affairs at Cablevision. In her new post, she’ll continue to serve as the company’s chief government affairs executive and will direct its local, state and federal government relations as well as its legislative, regulatory and policy matters. She also oversees Cablevision’s education... Full story »

Eight months is an eternity in politics. That is why both parties need to realize that the political world could change, and change dramatically, between now and the November midterms. For there is a storm brewing. Right now, it appears a Republican wave is building, and it looks like a potentially devastating wave for the Democratic majorities. The storm,... Full story »

Vice President Joe Biden’s Middle East visit underscored the importance of the U.S.-Israeli relationship, as well as of Washington’s critical role in the pursuit of peace and security in the region. During a recent trip to Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories, I was part of a five-member congressional delegation who met with government and civil society leaders as... Full story »

President Barack Obama unveiled his plan for a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s school system Saturday, proposing changes he says would shift emphasis from teaching to the test to a more nuanced assessment of judging school and student progress. On Monday, Obama will submit his blueprint for reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind law to Congress, and he’s given... Full story »