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Cokie Roberts Cokie Roberts is a Morning Edition commentator.
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Political Analysis

Iraq Issue Likely to Dominate New Congress

Iraq will be the big issue at hand when the new Democratic Congress confronts President Bush in January. At some point, both sides will have the Iraq Study Group's report to consider. Despite the variety of opinions on the subject, answers to the problems in Iraq will be hard to come by.

Iraq Issue Likely to Dominate New Congress

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Political Analysis

Post-Election Washington Bubbles with Policy Talk

As President Bush continues his travels abroad, the policy dance in Washington has proceeded on an upbeat tempo. One idea drawing lots of attention, and very little support, is the suggestion that the U.S. revive the military draft.

Post-Election Washington Bubbles with Policy Talk

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Political Analysis

The Issue of Iraq Policy Change Takes Hold in Washington

President Bush says his administration is open to new ideas on Iraq. And it appears there will be no shortage of ideas now that the Democrats are headed to power in Congress, and the bipartisan Iraq Study Group is about to release its findings.

The Issue of Iraq Policy Change Takes Hold in Washington

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Political Analysis

Can the Democrats and Republicans Work Together?

The question hovering over Washington is whether the Democrats in Congress can work with their Republican counterparts, who have been shorn of some leading moderate voices.

Can the Democrats and Republicans Work Together?

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Political Analysis

Are Surprises In Store for Election Day?

Democrats think they will be able to win enough seats Tuesday to become the majority in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. But Republican advantages in districting and voter turnout may lead to some surprises on Election Day.

Are Surprises In Store for Election Day?

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Political Analysis

President, Candidates Make Final Campaign Push

The last full week of Campaign 2006 is underway, with President Bush making campaign appearances in Georgia and Texas. The president says Republicans will defy predictions that Democrats will win one, or both, houses of Congress.

President, Candidates Make Final Campaign Push

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Political Analysis

Iraq Issue Plagues Republicans Ahead of Elections

Midterm elections are just two weeks away and all polling is pointing toward Democratic gains in Congress, as well as in statehouses around the country. The main issue driving voters away from the Republican Party is the war in Iraq.

Iraq Issue Plagues Republicans Ahead of Elections

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Political Analysis

Democratic Wave Faces Republican Machine

Democrats are thinking that upcoming midterm congressional elections will sweep them back to power on Capitol Hill. While worried, Republicans are counting on their advantages in money and infrastructure to hold on to Congress.

Democratic Wave Faces Republican Machine

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Opinion

Political Analysis

North Korea, Foley Scandal and Midterm Elections

The international community has responded vigorously to North Korea's reported nuclear test. The U.N. Security Council is expected to meet to discuss the test. The development may have repercussions for upcoming U.S. elections. Also, Republicans face an uphill battle in the wake of the Mark Foley scandal.

North Korea, Foley Scandal and Midterm Elections

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Political Analysis

Foley Scandal Could Help Democrats in Election

Both Republicans and Democrats have taken up battle stations after allegations that former Florida Rep. Mark Foley had taken part in sexually explicit electronic communication with teenage boys. Also, Bob Woodward's latest book about the Bush administration is sending ripples around Washington.

Foley Scandal Could Help Democrats in Election

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Political Analysis

Democrats Attempt to Turn Debate Back to Iraq

Democrats and Republicans are reacting to an intelligence report that concludes the Iraq war has led to more -- not fewer -- terrorist threats. Washington is also talking about former President Bill Clinton's performance during a Fox News interview.

Democrats Attempt to Turn Debate Back to Iraq

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Political Analysis

President Bush Keeps the Focus on Terrorism

In the week ahead, President Bush visits the U.N. to keep up his administration's drumbeat on the fight against terrorism. This week, he's also dealing with Republicans unhappy over his proposal on detainee treatment and surveillance.

President Bush Keeps the Focus on Terrorism

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Political Analysis

White House Boosts National Security Rhetoric

President Bush and other Republicans are trying to shore up their political advantage in the arena of national security. With congressional elections just around the corner, the administration has stepped up rhetoric about how to combat terrorism, and how not to.

White House Boosts National Security Rhetoric

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Opinion

Political Analysis

Labor Day Kicks Off U.S. Political Season

Labor Day is traditionally the start of the political season. And any reminder of terrorist threats or successes in the fight against terrorism buoys Republicans and may be among the factors that will play a role in upcoming primary and midterm elections.

Labor Day Kicks Off U.S. Political Season

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Political Analysis

London Terror Threat Plays into U.S. Politics

The Bush administration's political reaction to the alleged terrorist plot in London was directed, in part, at the upcoming mid-term elections in Congress.

London Terror Threat Plays into U.S. Politics

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