Power Centers
Obama's Terrorism Fight Is Colored Gray, Not Black And White
by Frank James
If President Obama's newly recalibrated counterterrorism strategy demonstrates anything, it is his penchant for nuance.
Faces
Srinivasan's Confirmation First For D.C. Circuit In 7 Years
The partisan war over judicial nominees has accelerated in recent years. It took nearly a year to win Senate confirmation for Sri Srinivasan to the important federal appeals court for the District of Columbia, though he had no formal opposition.
Faces
Black Caucus Leader: We Disagree With Presidents, Even Obama
by Frank James
Rep. Marcia Fudge, the head of the Congressional Black Caucus, says any immigration overhaul significantly boosting the numbers of highly skilled immigrants could negatively affect African-Americans with similar skills.
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Wonky
Obama Group's Climate Push Puts President Under Scrutiny
by Ari Shapiro
Organizing for Action — a group that formed out of President Obama's re-election campaign — has focused its ire on Republicans it calls "climate change deniers." But some environmentalists are frustrated with the president himself on issues like the Keystone pipeline.
Faces
Lois Lerner's Brief And Awful Day On Capitol Hill
by Frank James
The IRS bureaucrat showed up long enough at a House hearing into the scandal engulfing her agency to declare her innocence and her constitutional right to say no more.
Think Obama's In Trouble? That Depends On Your Party
by Alan Greenblatt
Despite the scandals consuming Washington, the president's job approval ratings remain steady. Why? Reaction is breaking along partisan lines, with Democrats inclined to give Obama the benefit of the doubt.
Power Centers
Fears Of Killing Immigration Bill Doomed Same-Sex Amendment
by David Welna
Amid warnings the proposal would shatter support for the measure, Democrats backed away from a provision that would allow gay U.S. citizens to sponsor foreign-born spouses for green cards. Advocates for gay and lesbian immigration rights accused Democrats of caving in to threats.
Power Centers
Former IRS Head To Senate: It Wasn't My Fault
by Frank James
Douglas Shulman, who led the IRS during the years when agency workers targeted tax-exempt applications from conservative groups, did his best to deflect accusations from unhappy senators.
Faces
Is There Really A Second-Term Curse?
by Ari Shapiro
Whether it's Richard Nixon's resignation or Bill Clinton's impeachment, presidents tend to have a tough time during the back half of an eight-year presidency.
Wonky
Immigration Bill Chugs Along, But Some See Deal-Breakers
by David Welna
The bipartisan immigration overhaul proposed by the Senate's Gang of Eight has been the target of scores of amendments. So far, the bill has largely held its own, but its prospects for getting through Congress are uncertain.
