Wash Post Politics

White House to work with both sides on gun control measure

Perry Bacon Jr. — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:12:02 EDT

President Obama called Sunday for greater enforcement of gun control laws and improved background checks in the wake of the January shootings in Tucson.

Barbour: Obama's policies a 'threat' to economic future

Karen Tumulty — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:31:01 EDT

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R), taking another step toward an expected run for the 2012 presidential nomination, road-tested his economic message on Monday in a speech in which he blamed President Obama's economic policies for failing to revive the economy and posing "an even greater threat to o

White House seeks to reconnect with young voters

Peter Wallsten — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:59:04 EDT

At colleges, president tries to restore close ties with young voters.

Who would lead the Democratic National Committee?

Post — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:42:04 EDT

If Kaine runs for the seat being vacated by fellow Democrat Jim Webb, President Obama will be charged with picking a new man (or woman) to run the DNC - one of the most public faces of the party on the verge of the 2012 election.

House GOP offers new stopgap spending measure

Paul Kane — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:35:00 EDT

House Republicans propose to keep the government running with a three-week stopgap measure, allowing Congress and the White House a little more time to haggle over an elusive long-term resolution to the 2011 federal budget

EPA chief Lisa Jackson perpetually on Capitol Hill hot seat

Darryl Fears — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:20:00 EDT

House Republicans have been challenging EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on whether carbon dioxide is a pollutant, in hearings aimed at cutting the agency's budget and curbing its ability to regulate greenhouse gases.

'Wisconsin 14' group of Democratic senators returns, greeted by thousands at Capitol

Lyndsey Layton — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:47:03 EDT

They pledge to continue fighting for public workers.

Reliable Source: Obama gets laughs at first Gridiron Club dinner as president

The Reliable Source — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:01:02 EDT

It took three attempts, but the Gridiron Club -- a vestige of swampland-era Washington -- finally got President Obama to show up for their annual dinner Saturday night. And yet what did they get? No respect, we tell you -- no respect!

Obama keeps his eye on independent voters

Dan Balz — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:45:05 EST

President Obama's Friday news conference did little to advance U.S. policy on Libya or clarify the White House's position on resolving the budget impasse in Congress. The president nonetheless conveyed one unmistakable impression: He is now focused intently on winning back independent voters.

At Pollies, political operatives come together to honor their own

T.W. Farnam — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:22:01 EST

Hollywood has the Oscars and Washington has the "Pollies."

Arab League's backing of no-fly zone over Libya ramps up pressure on West

Richard Leiby and Scott Wilson — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:59:01 EST

The league's move represents an extraordinary step by the leading Arab organization, historically reluctant to sanction a member, and provided fresh evidence of the reformist spirit recasting Arab politics.

Gay marriage defeat leaves couples crestfallen

Carol Morello — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:46:03 EST

Ken Goodman's fondest wish was to return to Silver Spring with the man he has been with for 15 years and get married in front of his childhood friends and his parents.

Gas prices, Japan and leadership likely to dominate at Obama's news conference

Perry Bacon Jr. — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:28:00 EST

President Obama is planning a news conference at 12:30 Friday afternoon that the White House announced will focus on high energy prices. He will also no doubt address the massive earthquake in Japan, which has spawned a tsunami whose waves have hit Hawaii and Alaska.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker officially cuts collective bargaining

SCOTT BAUER — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:13:45 EST

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Friday signed into law the proposal that eliminates most union rights for public employees, saying he had "no doubt" that support for the measure would grow over time.

American Muslim groups react to views presented in controversial hearing

Michelle Boorstein — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:10:00 EST

Standing before a throng of cameras after his high-profile hearing on Muslim radicalization, Rep. Peter T, King (R-N.Y.) once again attacked major Muslim American organizations and their leaders, whom King described as soft on extremism.

Obama repeats call for Gaddafi to step down, pledges help for Japan

Perry Bacon Jr. and Zachary A. Goldfarb — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:10:00 EST

President Obama called again Friday for Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi to step down but declined to lay out any specific military steps the United States would take to force him from power.

Health-care law opens new fronts in abortion wars

N.C. Aizenman — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

A year after its passage, the federal health-care overhaul is opening fresh battlefields in an old and bitter debate. Almost immediately after the law took effect, five states passed bills that will prohibit private insurance plans sold on new state-based marketplaces from covering abortion, except...

Iowa reps pass bill limiting collective bargaining

MIKE GLOVER — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:33:22 EST

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Iowa House approved a bill Friday limiting public workers' collective bargaining rights and requiring them to pay more for their health insurance.

Spike in gas prices offsetting U.S. tax cut, Obama says

Zachary A. Goldfarb and Steven Mufson — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:12:01 EST

President Obama acknowledged Friday that the fast-rising cost of gasoline could diminish the effect of policies designed to stimulate economic growth, but warned that he is not yet prepared to unleash the nation's energy reserves to bring down the price of oil.

Right Turn: Mitch Daniels doubles down on social issues 'truce'

Jennifer Rubin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:23:45 EST

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) was recently interviewed by the Hoover Institution's Peter Robinson. The full interview airs Monday, but the released clips are already causing a stir:

The Plum Line: Wisconsin 14 planning "homecoming" march on capitol tomorrow

Greg Sargent — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:20:06 EST

The fourteen Wisconsin Democrats who have been on the lam for weeks are all returning to the state tonight -- and will celebrate their return with a march together on the capitol tomorrow meant to signal that they fully intend to fight on, a state senator confirms to me.

The Fix: Palin: The GOP's Pelosi?

Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:59:03 EST

Sarah Palin's unfavorable rating has spiked to a new high, adding further fuel to the argument that her presidential campaign may be doomed before it begins.

New fronts open in abortion wars

N.C. Aizenman — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:22:00 EST

A year after its passage, the health-care overhaul is opening fresh battlefields in an old and bitter debate. Almost immediately after the law came into effect, five states passed bills that will prohibit private health insurance plans sold on its new state-based insurance marketplaces from cover...

Wisconsin governor wins his battle with unions on collective bargaining

Karen Tumulty — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:18:00 EST

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has won his drive to strip the state's government workers of nearly all of their collective-bargaining rights, prevailing after a three-week standoff that brought tens of thousands of protesters to the Capitol and transfixed the political world.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs collective bargaining bill, bypasses Senate Democrats

Compiled by Ian Saleh — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:48:14 EST

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill to strip public workers of most of their collective bargaining rights on Friday. As Karen Tumutly reported:

The Plum Line: Do people care about the deficit?

Greg Sargent — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:13:01 EST

Duncan Black poses a question: "Nobody cares about the deficit. Why don't people understand this?" Matthew Yglesias attempts an answer: "Politicians don't understand that the voters don't care about the deficit because the voters themselves don't understand that they don't care about the deficit....

Right Turn: A tale of two journalistic stings

Jennifer Rubin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:14:46 EST

We've recently had two episodes of entrapment journalism. I'm a bit old school, so the idea of concocting a story featuring a journalist who then reports on the self-created event seems, well, wrong. But putting that aside, the two episodes were revealing of the character of the targets and the d...

The Fix: Is Palin the GOP's Pelosi?

Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:15:26 EST

Sarah Palin's unfavorable rating has spiked to a new high, adding further fuel to the argument that her presidential campaign may be doomed before it begins.

Rep. Peter King's Muslim hearing: Plenty of drama, less substance

David A. Fahrenthold and Michelle Boorstein — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

One half of the Muslim contingent in Congress paused, his voice high and breaking. He tugged at his glasses. He held up a finger and gathered himself.

Rumsfeld and Cheney safeguard America

Al Kamen — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:59:05 EST

Former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been wrongly accused by critics of arrogantly shooting from the hip and getting us into that mess in Iraq.

New Hampshire college students can still vote in state, for now

Peter Wallsten — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:01:01 EST

A controversial move by New Hampshire Republicans to prohibit voting by many of the state's college students appears to be dead - at least for now.

Wisconsin Assembly approves bill to slash union rights for public workers

Michael A. Fletcher and Ariana Eunjung Cha — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:46:01 EST

The Wisconsin State Assembly approved a bill Thursday that would slash union rights for public workers. The vote comes a day after the state Senate used a legislative maneuver to pass the bill without the 14 Democratic senators who fled the state in an effort to block it.

Republican Wisconsin senators bypass Democrats in vote on collective bargaining

Michael A. Fletcher — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:37:01 EST

Senate Republicans abruptly passed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's plan to sharply curtail collective-bargaining rights for public employees Wednesday night, using a legislative maneuver to approve the measure without 14 Democratic senators who fled the state in an effort to block it.

Tears, shouts as terror hearing becomes political

EILEEN SULLIVAN — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:18:26 EST

WASHINGTON -- Congress pushed deep into a raw and emotional debate Thursday over American Muslims who have committed terrorist attacks in the name of religion, in a hearing punctuated by tearful testimony, angry recriminations and political theater.

2chambers: It's the economy (and the deficit, and the gas prices), stupid

Felicia Sonmez — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:35:21 EST

A Gallup poll released Thursday shows that the number of Americans citing economic issues as the country's most important problem has reached a 12-month high, with the percentages of Americans concerned about the federal deficit and gas prices also spiking.

House votes to end foreclosure-assistance program

Felicia Sonmez — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:32:21 EST

The House on Thursday voted to end the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program, one of two federal foreclosure-assistance programs on the chopping block this week.

Wisconsin Lawmakers pass union bargaining bill as protests rage

Tim Jones — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:51:19 EST

March 10 (Bloomberg) -- The Wisconsin Assembly voted 53-42 to give final passage to a bill curbing collective bargaining for most government workers that was stalled for weeks when Democratic senators left for Illinois to prevent a quorum.

Rep. Peter King's congressional hearings on American Muslim radicalization consider CAIR impact

Compiled by Ian Saleh — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:18:39 EST

Congressman Peter King held Congressional hearings on radicalization in the American muslim community. As Michelle Boorstein and David Fahrenthold reported on the proceedings:

The Fix: Tim Kaine's waiting game (and what it means)

Chris Cillizza — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:02:56 EST

It's been 29 days since Virginia Sen. Jim Webb (D) announced he wouldn't run for a second term in 2012.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's collective-bargaining legislative maneuver: Opinions and questions going forward

Compiled by Justin Bank — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:32:56 EST

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is closer to getting his proposed collective-bargaining rights legislation enacted. As Michael Fletcher reported:

Thursday's opinion columns in brief

washingtonpost.com — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:38:27 EST

This is a roundup of The Post's opinion columns for today, Thursday. For full versions, check out the Opinions section.

Thiessen: Al-Qaeda's American-bred leadership

Marc Thiessen — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:20:06 EST

In recent days, critics in this section have pounded Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) for holding hearings to examine radicalization in the American Muslim community. They've accused him of "providing fuel for bigots" and "stoking irrational fears." Really? It is hardly irrational for the chairman House ...

The Plum Line: Newsflash -- Recalls are legitimate in Wisconsin

Greg Sargent — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:17:52 EST

Ezra Klein, on last night's events in Wisconsin: It seems to me that the system worked. Democrats were able to slow the process down and convince both voters in Wisconsin and the national media that there was something beyond business as usual happening in Madison. National and state polls sh...

Rep. Peter King's hearings on radicalization among American Muslims: Details and background

Compiled by Justin Bank — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:59:10 EST

The Rep. Peter King helmed hearing on radicalization among American Muslims began on Thursday:

Liberal groups to push Obama on jobs plan

Perry Bacon Jr. — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:28:00 EST

A coalition of liberal groups Thursday will call for the Obama administration to put out a detailed plan to create jobs and urge both parties to stop focusing so much on the federal budget deficit.

Obama speaks out against bullying, says, 'I wasn't immune'

Nia-Malika Henderson — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:34:02 EST

President Obama and the first lady spoke out against bullying Thursday, urging parents, schools and community leaders to look for ways to address a problem that they say has gotten worse in the age of the internet and social networking.

The Fact Checker: Is Rep. King's claim about radical Muslim imams true?

Glenn Kessler — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:54:12 EST

"The only real testimony we have on it was actually from Sheikh Kabbani, who was a Muslim leader during the Clinton Administration, he testified, this is back in 1999 and 2000, before the State Department that he thought over 80 percent of the mosques in this country are controlled by radical Ima...

Rep. Peter King's Muslim hearings: A key moment in an angry conversation

David A. Fahrenthold and Michelle Boorstein — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:56:03 EST

Thursday's hearing could mark a key moment in the way America talks about Muslims as the conversation shifts from the fringes to the center of American politics.

ATF's tactics to end gun trafficking face a federal review

James V. Grimaldi — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:35:01 EST

A controversy over tactics used to crack down on gunrunning to Mexico has forced U.S. officials to rethink an aggressive law enforcement strategy aimed at stopping firearms trafficked to Mexican drug cartels.

Congressional freshmen include dozens of millionaires, financial disclosures show

Dan Eggen — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:34:01 EST

The members of this year's freshman class in Congress are far wealthier than the people they represent, with dozens of millionaires joining the ranks of the House and Senate, according to an analysis released Wednesday.

Ex- Ill. Gov. Blagojevich asks to cancel retrial

MICHAEL TARM — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:31:37 EST

CHICAGO -- Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked a judge Wednesday to cancel his upcoming retrial on political corruption charges and promptly sentence him on the sole conviction from the first trial, saying money woes prevent him from mounting an ample defense.

On Libya, Obama willing to let allies take the lead

Scott Wilson — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:21:00 EST

President Obama is content to let other nations publicly lead the search for solutions to the Libyan conflict, his advisers say, a stance that reflects the more humble tone he has sought to bring to U.S. foreign policy but one that also opens him to criticism that he is a weak leader.

Lax Internal Revenue Service rules help groups shield campaign donor identities

T.W. Farnam and Dan Eggen — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:09:00 EST

American Crossroads GPS, an advocacy group that reported spending about $17 million on advertising before the midterm elections, generated controversy by using its nonprofit status to shield donors' identities.

Senate rejects spending bills from both Republicans and Democrats

Lori Montgomery and Paul Kane — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:40:03 EST

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Republican plan to sharply cut spending this year, as well as a far more modest Democratic proposal, clearing a path for negotiations toward a compromise that could streamline government without damaging critical services.

The Fix: Examining Herb Kohl's indecisiveness on 2012

Rachel Weiner — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:36:17 EST

Questioned Tuesday on his 2012 re-election plans, Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl didn't exactly give a straight answer.

Fla. Republicans make it harder for ex-felons to vote

Peter Wallsten — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:20:00 EST

Florida Gov. Rick Scott and other Cabinet-level officials voted unanimously Wednesday to roll back state rules enacted four years ago that made it easier for many ex-felons to regain the right to vote.

2chambers: Senate rejects two long-term funding bills, sending leaders back to negotiating table

Felicia Sonmez and Lori Montgomery — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:09:23 EST

Two competing government funding bills fell short in the Senate on Wednesday, sending congressional leaders and the White House back to the negotiating table to try to work out a budget compromise.

Commerce Secretary Locke nominated for China ambassador post

Perry Bacon Jr. — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:43:00 EST

President Obama on Wednesday officially nominated Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as the next U.S. ambassador to China, continuing a reshuffling of top administration officials over the past several months.

GOP imposes $100 fines on AWOL Wisconsin Senate Democrats

SCOTT BAUER — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:37:08 EST

MADISON, Wis. -- Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate have voted to fine the chamber's AWOL Democrats $100 for each day they miss of the legislative session.

Fed Eye: SEC porn sting netted workers in 7 cities

Ed O'Keefe — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:33:34 EST

The 33 Securities and Exchange Commission employees and contractors reprimanded last year for accessing pornography on agency computers worked in Washington, D.C. and six regional offices, according to documents released as part of a lawsuit.

Federal Eye: Fed worker pay comes under fire

Ed O'Keefe — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:58:13 EST

The Republican-led House is scheduled to hold its first hearing Wednesday on the compensation of federal employees, pitting the Obama administration and federal worker union leaders against conservative fiscal experts armed with detailed reports suggesting federal employees are paid too generousl...

The Fix: Gallup poll -- Obama's approval rating levels off

Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:56:04 EST

Six months ago, President Obama was being discussed as a one-term president as his party careened to a historic midterm election defeat.

Obama economic adviser adopts classroom style to explain policies

Perry Bacon Jr. — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:02:01 EST

In the fall, with the administration struggling to convince Americans its economic strategy was working, the White House's new media team wanted to try an old-school idea: an adviser in front of a board explaining its policy ideas, like in a classroom.

Fed pick is likely to be blocked again

Jeannine Aversa — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:31:38 EST

A Nobel Prize isn't enough to change Sen. Richard C. Shelby's mind about Peter Diamond. The Alabama lawmaker said Tuesday that Diamond is still not qualified to sit on the Federal Reserve Board.

More than half of California children Latino, census shows

Carol Morello and Dan Balz — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:36:00 EST

More than half the children in California are Latinos, according to new census statistics that show the nation's most populous state rapidly approaching the day when Hispanics overtake whites as the largest minority.

White House moving to repair troubled relationship with Cabinet

Anne E. Kornblut — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:35:00 EST

News this week of the first departure of a Cabinet secretary from the Obama administration comes amid a wide-ranging effort under the new chief of staff, William M. Daley, to repair badly frayed relations between the White House and the Cabinet.

In Utah, Sen. Hatch courts tea partyers one by one in quest for survival

Philip Rucker — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:47:00 EST

LOGAN, UTAH - Here's how you run for reelection if you're a powerful Republican senator from a state where powerful Republican activists want somebody new:

Senate still wrangling over spending bill

Paul Kane and Felicia Sonmez — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:47:00 EST

Senate leaders delayed until Wednesday consideration of a bill to fund the government through Sept. 30, as Democrats accused Republicans of reneging on an agreement to stage side-by-side votes on two competing plans to cut spending.

Lights and sirens, badges and guns for the TARP cops

Al Kamen — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:56:02 EST

Police forces around the country are scrambling to make do in these tough economic times. Nearly half the force in Camden, N.J. - not exactly known as a crime-free town - has been laid off. The bicycle unit is gone, and the canine unit lost two of its three dogs. The number of patrol cars has bee...

State and local workers: Gone but not off the books

Karen Tumulty — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:56:01 EST

As cities and states across the country grapple with potentially crushing health and pension obligations for their current and future retirees, stories of excess and gaming of the system are getting more attention than they have in the past, causing problems for unions as they try to win the battle

Senate funding vote delayed as parties trade barbs over competing proposals

Paul Kane and Felicia Sonmez — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:04:00 EST

After delaying a planned Tuesday vote on the federal spending bill, Senate leaders traded accusations over the motives behind their competing proposals to keep the government from shutting down later this month.

Right Turn: Didn't Obama pledge to complete 3 free-trade deals?

Jennifer Rubin — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:03:49 EST

The Wall Street Journal reports: "U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk on Monday appealed to congressional leaders to begin work "without delay" toward ratifying a free-trade deal with South Korea, even as Republican leaders continued to press to link such action with movement on trade pacts with C...

The Fix: What will Sharron Angle do?

Chris Cillizza and Rachel Weiner — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:25:26 EST

That's short for "What will Sharron Angle do" and it's the question on the minds of almost every political operative in Nevada in the wake of Sen. John Ensign's (R) retirement announcement on Monday.

Lane: Give me liberty or give me health care -- the end

Charles Lane — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:17:34 EST

For those following my ruminations about the constitutionality of the individual mandate in President Obama's health-care reform legislation -- a group substantially smaller than, say, Sara Bareilles's fan base, I admit -- it may come as a surprise that I actually think an individual mandate can ...

Wisconsin protests: Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic state senators continue standoff

Compiled by Justin Bank — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:05:33 EST

Protests in Wisconsin continue as Democratic legislators remain in exile to avoid voting on Governor Scott Walker's proposed changes to union laws. An end to the impasse does not appear imminent:

2chambers: Rep. Eric Cantor defends Rep. Peter King's hearings on radical Islam

Felicia Sonmez — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:54:57 EST

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) on Tuesday backed House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King's (R-N.Y.) planned hearing on Islamic radicalism, chiding the press for having "become sort of fascinated" with it.

In states, parties clash over voting laws that would affect college students, others

Peter Wallsten — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:41:00 EST

In one example, New Hampshire House Republicans are pushing for new laws that would prohibit many college students from voting in the state.

The Fact Checker: Obama's 'halfway' fixation with the budget

Glenn Kessler — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:01:09 EST

"My administration has already put forward specific cuts that meet congressional Republicans halfway. And I'm prepared to do more." -- President Obama, weekly radio address, March 5, 2011

Gary Locke, Commerce secretary, to be nominated as ambassador to China

Anne E. Kornblut and Ed O'Keefe — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:59:00 EST

President Obama will nominate Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as the next U.S. ambassador to China, senior administration officials said late Monday, continuing a game of musical chairs that has shuffled top administration officials at the start of the second half of Obama's term.

AP source: Obama to tap Locke for China ambassador

DARLENE SUPERVILLE — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:43:15 EST

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will nominate Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, the son and grandson of Chinese immigrants, to be the next U.S. ambassador to China, a senior administration official said Monday. A formal announcement could come as early as Tuesday.

A successor to Gates is a quandary for Obama

Walter Pincus — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:36:01 EST

On five occasions the past three weeks, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has tried to nail down his departure from the Pentagon by telling members of Congress in budget hearings and in speeches to cadets at West Point and the Air Force Academy that this would be his final appearance before them ...

Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada won't seek reelection

Chris Cillizza and Paul Kane — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:36:00 EST

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) will not seek reelection in 2012, bringing to an end a tumultuous several years following an extramarital affair with a former staff member.

Administration could back second temporary budget deal

Perry Bacon Jr. — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:44:04 EST

The White House is not ruling out supporting another temporary funding measure to keep the federal government open. The White House and congressional Republicans remain about $50 billion apart as the debate over this year's federal spending drags into its third month.

Even if government shuts down, most of Congress won't

Ben Pershing — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:40:02 EST

When it comes to coping with a government shutdown, the legislative and executive branches are certainly separate - but they may not be equal.

The Plum Line: Walker attacks Dems, succeeds in making them more resolved to hold out

Greg Sargent — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:26:48 EST

Governor Scott Walker held a press conference this afternoon in which he hammered away at missing state senate Dems in an effort to force them to cave and return to Wisconsin to pass his proopsal rolling back public employee bargaining rights.

Stromberg: Won't climate change help America?

Stephen Stromberg — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:24:21 EST

Ever heard this one: Even if the Earth's climate changes, warmer temperatures will be good for America -- longer growing seasons, perhaps? Or its cousin: Humans will simply do what they've done for millennia -- adapt to changing temperatures with different technology and behaviors? Isn't that bet...

The Fix: The frontrunner-less Republican presidential field

Chris Cillizza — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:05:05 EST

For months now, it's been clear that the 2012 Republican presidential field lacks a strong frontrunner.

The Fix: John Ensign to retire in 2012

Chris Cillizza and Paul Kane — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:48:43 EST

Nevada Sen. John Ensign (R) will retire rather than seek reelection in 2012, he announced Monday afternoon. The decision brings to an end a tumultuous several years that saw him go from one of the party's rising stars to persona non grata.

Wisconsin protests: Gov. Scott Walker and Senate Democrats prepare to start negotiations

Compiled by Justin Bank — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:37:33 EST

The battle between Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Democratic opponents in the state legislature over collective bargaining rights for government workers appears to be reaching a crescendo:

2chambers: Fla. Democratic congressman faces sexual harassment allegation

Felicia Sonmez — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:28:27 EST

The conservative legal group Judicial Watch announced Monday that it has filed a lawsuit against Rep. Alcee Hastings, accusing the 10-term Florida Democrat of sexually harassing a policy adviser who worked on a commission that Hastings once chaired.

The Fix: The frontrunner-less Republican presidential field

Chris Cillizza — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:08:32 EST

For months now, it's been clear that the 2012 Republican presidential field lacks a strong frontrunner.

Capehart: Bachmann bumps Palin as Tea Party Queen

Jonathan Capehart — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:01:20 EST

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is pushing Sarah Palin off her throne as queen of the Tea Party. This considered opinion comes after watching Bachmann on "Meet the Press." I didn't agree with 99.9 percent of what she said, but in 12 minutes on MTP she demonstrated why she is a better leader of th...

The Plum Line: Rep. King undermines his own case for anti-Muslim hearings

Adam Serwer — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:07:49 EST

Is Pete King backing away from his own stated reasons for holding hearings on Muslim radicalization this week?

Right Turn: Will Libya matter in 2012?

Jennifer Rubin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:06:11 EST

A reader e-mailed me over the weekend asking whether "the situation in Libya may affect the 2012 presidential campaigns." He mused: "Depending on how bad it gets in Libya, I envision a whole slew of political ads showing Obama shaking Gaddafi's hand back in 2009."

The Fact Checker: Foreign policy braggadocio on Libya and AIDS

Glenn Kessler — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:30:03 EST

"We have already engineered the most rapid and forceful set of sanctions [against Libya] that have ever been applied internationally." --President Obama, March 3, 2011

The Fix: Romney's tea party-friendly defense on health care

Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:34:26 EST

Mitt Romney made some of his most significant statements yet this weekend about the health care bill he signed as governor of Massachusetts, offering a preview of his defense for what many are expecting to be a potent line of attack for Romney's opponents.