White House

Why making progress on health care, foreign affairs and the financial system is harder than it looks.

The fate of Obama's presidency

Posted Fri, Sep 4, 6 a.m.

It hinges on the economy, which is slowly recovering, and Afghanistan, which is fatefully resembling Vietnam.

Who's a Nazi now?

Posted Tue, Aug 18, 6 a.m.

If Obama's a goose-stepper, according to Rush, then what about Ike, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dubya?

Dick Cheney: Bush critic

Posted Fri, Aug 14, 6 a.m.

Bush grew weary of Cheney and his bad advice, as often happens with Presidents and their running mates. The code is to suffer in silence, but when did Cheney ever think he needed to obey custom?

Solving a Chinese puzzle

Posted Fri, Jul 24, 6 a.m.

Gary Locke seems to be hands-on in helping to solve the diplomatic problem of U.S. expo participation in Shanghai.

Why take so long to form a new administration?

Posted Fri, Jun 12, 6 a.m.

By Tom Luce

In an urgent time, President Obama still lacks many key top-level appointments in his government. In Britain, nearly all those appointments are accomplished just days after the election. Time to import some British goods?

Hello, Poppy? Obama here. Need some advice.

Posted Thu, Jun 4, 9:10 p.m.

As the senior Bush had to mop up the mess created by Reagan's deficits, Obama now has to deal urgently with mountains of federal debt created in fending off the recession.

Testing time for Obama

Posted Fri, May 29, 6 a.m.

A new Supreme, overhauling health care and energy, North Korea, Pakistan. And did I mention the Great Recession?

Obama reframes the debate about abortion

Posted Wed, May 20, 6 a.m.

By Anthony B. Robinson

Welcome to the world according to Obama, a place where difference is taken for granted and alliance is sought.

What did Pelosi know, and how did the CIA tell her?

Posted Mon, May 18, 6 a.m.

A short primer in the intelligence-briefing policies in Washington, by one who saw it from the inside

Is Cascadia's train coming in?

Posted Tue, May 12, 6 a.m.

High-speed rail between Seattle and Vancouver could be a catalyst for regional development, and identity.

Don't write off the Republicans

Posted Fri, May 8, 6 a.m.

Obama may be making two mistakes from over-confidence: not trying to reach out to Republicans in Congress, and leaving the crafting of major legislation to the Democratic barons. Look for a modest revival of the GOP in the next election.

Torture, Nixon, Obama

Posted Wed, May 6, 6 a.m.

For many, Watergate is just a word, but it's relevant now as we consider what to do with Americans who tortured. Let's hope they don't get off as lightly as Wall Street's CEOs.

Sieg Heil, Obama?

Posted Tue, Apr 21, 6 a.m.

Right-wingers have created a phony, paranoid faux populism that's nutty and dangerous. But we should also pay attention, particularly in a state that once elected a Populist governor.

Obama's big week

Posted Mon, Mar 30, 8:57 a.m.

He's playing some defense on the European trip and with Congress. That's pressure enough, so let's not interpret a Congressional race in New York State as a referendum on his presidency.

Can Locke save the world's fair?

Posted Thu, Mar 26, 6 a.m.

Eyes turn to new Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as U.S. expo boosters look for someone to prevent China's "humiliation" over America's possible no-show at Shanghai's Expo 2010.

Obama's Congressional troops are getting restive

Posted Wed, Mar 25, 4:03 p.m.

They are looking for ways to cut his deficits and stall action on his big new initiatives. This could be a recipe for impasse, especially if the economy stays in deep trouble.

Okay Obama. You wanna debate taxes?

Posted Wed, Mar 4, 6 a.m.

By Chris Vance

President Obama has sparked a burst of candor. But the debate has not really begun, and Obama's tax-the-rich approach won't fund all his new spending.

Opposition to Obama is forming up fast

Posted Wed, Mar 4, 6 a.m.

His politically dangerous overreach, pushing an ambitious domestic agenda in a time of severe economic downturn, has galvanized Republicans

Other media

The Obamas' marriage: Very much a part of his political brand The First Couple has long debated how to combine marriage with politics. The new formula puts their relationship in the public spotlight, even while complaining about that fact.

NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE

David Brooks: Obama and the tenacity test The Afghanistan issue raises doubts about Obama's ability to stick to a tough course of action, a key factor of leadership.

NEW YORK TIMES

Public option coming back to life in Senate Just when it seemed the notion of government-run health insurance was dead, there's now growing talk among key lawmakers about including some form in the final legislation. "This issue is alive, and we're looking at it," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus.

WALL STREET JOURNAL

Ross Douthat: The catastrophic option Under the health care plan taking shape in Congress, fewer people will be uninsured, For those already covered by their employers, premiums will skyrocket. So what's the next fix?

NEW YORK TIMES

Portland's liberal congressman grows frustrated with Obama For Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who campaigned hard for the president and thought a new progressive era was in the offing, this year has been a test of faith.

NEW YORK TIMES

Blog posts

A witch's brew of political scares in Congress

Posted Tue, Oct 13, 6 a.m.

From Afghanistan to health care to ethics, lawmakers head toward Halloween with distractions aplenty.

Jody Powell and his faint air of sadness

Posted Sat, Sep 19, 11:19 a.m.

Jimmy Carter's admired and amiable press secretary is dead at 65, stirring memories of that Georgia gang.

David Brooks in Yakima: 'I'm in favor of death panels'

Posted Fri, Sep 18, 6 a.m.

by Harris Meyer

The conservative columnist declines to chide a conservative audience.

Mr. Locke and Mr. Sims go to Washington

Posted Fri, Sep 4, 6 a.m.

by Knute Berger

Seattle's dynamic duo talk about their new DC roles.

Healthcare reform without risk

Posted Mon, Aug 31, 2:27 p.m.

by Knute Berger

Economists have an answer for why Americans are skittish about change, and it could help Obama's sales pitch.

Famous last Tweets

Posted Fri, Aug 21, 2:11 p.m.

by Feliks Banel

What would Lincoln Tweet? And other memorable ephemera.

High-speed sprawl?

Posted Sat, Aug 22, 11:06 a.m.

by Knute Berger

An economist is skeptical about the goals and benefits of Obama's rail vision.

Obama, the game-changer

Posted Tue, Mar 31, noon

His dramatic intervention in the auto industry has enormous implications for the presidency, and his presidency

Obama's banking plan: a turning point?

Posted Mon, Mar 23, 9:40 p.m.

Both the plan, and the administration's unveiling of it, show a recovery from earlier missteps

Treasury Secretary Geithner needs a rescue plan, for himself

Posted Wed, Feb 11, 8:09 a.m.