Opinion Much at Stake in Defining Social Security 'Crisis' December 30, 2004 • NPR Washington Editor Ron Elving looks at what's at stake when President Bush brands Social Security as a "crisis" -- and what it means for the future of the two major political parties.
A GOP Consensus at the Economic Conference December 17, 2004 • In this edition of "Politically Speaking," NPR's Don Gonyea offers a commentary on the recent economic conference sponsored by the White House. Democrats dismissed the conference as an "informercial," but it also served to advance issues that define President Bush's economic agenda.
Opinion Rushing to Restock the Cabinet December 13, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving wonders whether President Bush is rushing through his second-term Cabinet appointments.
A Historic Breakthrough on a Historic Day December 8, 2004 • The House on Tuesday overcame a major logjam to approve a sweeping overhaul of the nation's intelligence operations. NPR Washington Editor Ron Elving looks at how a bill that was close to dead last week was revived.
Bush: Rehearsing for Europe with a Trip North? December 3, 2004 • NPR's Don Gonyea writes about President Bush's trip to Canada, which many see as a dress rehearsal for a fence-mending trip to Europe.
House Likely the Last Stop for Intelligence Reform November 29, 2004 • NPR Washington Editor Ron Elving says despite strong support for the intelligence reform bill in the Senate and from President Bush, it's likely to remain stalled in the House -- at least for this lame duck session of Congress.
Opinion Having It Both Ways on Intelligence Reform November 22, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving says the White House position on intelligence reform may not be what it seems.
Opinion Election Fallout: Bickering Over Leftover Kerry Cash November 19, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, NPR Correspondent Peter Overby says some Democrats wonder whether $15 million left unspent by John Kerry would have made a difference.
Opinion Expect Congress to Duck and Go Home November 15, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving sees the lame-duck session of Congress doing as little as possible before adjourning.
Opinion Moral Values and the Next 'Big Story' November 8, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving explains how moral values became the "big story" of the 2004 election.
Opinion High-Anxiety Election: Good News for Incumbents October 29, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving says incumbents often benefit in uneasy times.
Opinion Chance to Win Colorado Has Democrats Excited October 26, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking Column, NPR's Jeff Brady says a confluence of factors have unexpectedly put Colorado in play in this year's presidential race.
Electoral College Scenarios and Exit Poll Mysteries October 22, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, National Political Correspondent Mara Liasson previews some of the Electoral College math we'll be doing on Election Day.
Opinion Covering the Campaign from Both Sides October 19, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking, NPR Correspondent Scott Horsley compares the campaigning styles of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry.
Opinion Lesson to Incumbents: Debate At Your Own Risk October 14, 2004 • In the latest Politically Speaking column, Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving says Sen. John Kerry got the most out of his debates with President Bush.