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Cokie Roberts Cokie Roberts is a Morning Edition commentator.
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Analysis

Regional Violence Plays Role In Afghan Strategy

Every day there seems to be a story about violence in Afghanistan and the countries that surround it. As the Obama administration devises a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, officials must take into account what is going on in the region.

Regional Violence Plays Role In Afghan Strategy

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Analysis

Iran, Afghan War Steal Health Care's Spotlight

President Obama's full court press on health care seems to have been distracted by foreign policy issues. Last week, the president appeared on five Sunday talk shows to discuss overhauling health care. On Sunday, the White House deployed its national security team to talk about Iran and Afghanistan.

Iran, Afghan War Steal Health Care's Spotlight

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Politics

GOP Tries To Keep Up With Obama's TV Appearances

Republican leaders followed President Obama's television interviews on five Sunday morning shows. They didn't seem to be budging in their opposition to Democratic health care proposals.

GOP Tries To Keep Up With Obama's TV Appearances

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Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009

Will Kennedy's Widow Succeed Him In The Senate?

Senator Edward Kennedy's most important partnership was with his wife Victoria Reggie Kennedy. They married in 1992. Could she could succeed him in the Senate? Friends say that's not likely to happen. There is speculation that once memorial services are over, she could start thinking about pursuing her husband's Senate seat.

Will Kennedy's Widow Succeed Him In The Senate?

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Politics

Vacationing Obama May Meet With Sen. Kennedy

President Obama and his family are vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. Though the president has made it clear he wants to spend this week having fun with his daughters, there are reports he will travel to Cape Cod for a visit with Senator Ted Kennedy, who is direly ill. The debate over remaking health care continues despite the president being on vacation.

Vacationing Obama May Meet With Sen. Kennedy

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Health Care

Obama May Drop Health Plan's 'Public Option'

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has signaled the Obama administration is willing to make a deal on a key part of the health care plan that the president has been pushing. Sebelius told CNN on Sunday that the White House would be open to consumer-owned nonprofit co-ops instead of the public insurance plan. The co-ops would operate under a national structure with state affiliates, but independent of the government.

Obama May Drop Health Plan's 'Public Option'

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Economy

Obama's Economic Team Cautious, But Optimistic

White House officials hit the Sunday news shows with force, hoping to convince Americans that the economy is beginning to improve due largely to the controversial economic stimulus package. But they admit that a boost won't come without a huge federal deficit.

Obama's Economic Team Cautious, But Optimistic

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Tracking The Overhaul

Obama To Add Va., N.C. To Health Care Tour

President Obama travels to Virginia and North Carolina this week pushing his plans to overhaul health care. Though the president has conceded he will not have legislation by the time the Congress leaves for vacation, he says he's determined to have legislation on his desk by the end of this year.

Obama To Add Va., N.C. To Health Care Tour

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Politics

Congress May Investigate CIA's Secret Program

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leah says he is ready to look into whether former Vice President Dick Cheney violated the law by telling intelligence officers not to tell Congress what they were up to.

Congress May Investigate CIA's Secret Program

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Analysis

Alaska Gov. Palin Surprises State, GOP

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced last week that she's stepping down with 18 months left in her term. What does the announcement means for Republicans? Is Palin is really through with politics?

Alaska Gov. Palin Surprises State, GOP

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Tracking The Overhaul

Overhauling Health Care Takes More Than Money

Overcoming the politics entwined in changing the nation's health care system will be difficult. Over the weekend, some members of the Obama administration seemed to shift positions on what the president deems absolutely essential in this bill. One of the big changes seems to be the willingness to look at taxing health benefits as a way to pay for the bill.

Overhauling Health Care Takes More Than Money

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Analysis

Administration Stays Focused On Health Care

A new public opinion poll gives a sense of what Americans are thinking about when it comes to health care and other issues. Besides domestic issues, the Obama administration is monitoring the situation in Iran following this month's disputed presidential election.

Administration Stays Focused On Health Care

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Politics

GOP Struggles To Find Itself

Members of the Republican Party are working on defining the GOP. There's a dynamic going on inside, and outside, the Washington beltway. In Washington, things have been friendlier than they've been in a while.

GOP Struggles To Find Itself

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Politics

Obama's Chance To Fill Supreme Court Slot

President Obama says that when he nominates the next Supreme Court justice, it will be a person who is in touch with ordinary Americans. Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah says that if a judge has to be a person of empathy, that's a code word for an activist judge. Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont says he would like to see another woman or minority on the bench.

Obama's Chance To Fill Supreme Court Slot

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