Politics & Government

Politics & Government

A Look Ahead To The Future Of The GOP

4:06pm June 05, 2013

Since the 2012 election, Republican strategists and leaders have called for changes in the party's approach to voters. Some argue that the GOP must appeal to younger and more diverse demographics or risk losing congressional seats next November.

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National Security Adviser Donilon Resigns; Rice To Take Over

9:20am June 05, 2013

The White House announced Wednesday that Tom Donilon is resigning as President Obama's national security adviser. He will be replaced by Susan Rice, the current U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

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Fierce fighting has been reported between President Bashar Assad's forces and rebels around the ancient citadel in Aleppo.

Syrian Conflict Reaches Beyond Borders

6:54pm June 04, 2013

The civil war in Syria is attracting fighters from all over, threatening the region's tenuous stability. Robert Malley of the International Crisis Group tells Fresh Air that "a war in Syria with regional spillover has now become a regional war with a Syrian focus."

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Politics & Government

Week In News: Bachmann's Decision, Obama To Meet China's President

6:11pm June 01, 2013

Guest host Wade Goodwyn speaks with James Fallows, national correspondent with The Atlantic. This week, they break down Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann's decision not to run for re-election. Plus, a look ahead to President Obama's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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Politics & Government

What's On Obama's Agenda With China's President?

6:39am June 01, 2013

Next week, President Obama will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at an estate in California. Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon speaks with Ken Lieberthal of the Brookings Institution about what issues the two world leaders are likely to discuss.

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Rep. Cole speaks as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and others listen during a news conference in Moore last week.

Okla. Recovery Spotlights Rep. Cole's Support For Sandy Aid

1:39pm May 31, 2013

by Tamara Keith

When Congress voted on federal relief for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, five of the seven Oklahoma representatives and senators voted no. Rep. Tom Cole, who voted yes, warned that someday Oklahoma would be asking for help. That day came last week after a massive tornado hit his district.

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President Obama, with Education Secretary Arne Duncan at his side, calls on Congress on June 21, 2012, to stop interest rates on student loans from doubling. He is going to make that appeal again Friday.

Obama Presses Congress On Student Loan Rates

11:25am May 31, 2013

by Scott Horsley

Interest rates on government-backed college loans are set to double July 1 — unless Congress agrees on a fix before then. The president is expected to urge Congress on Friday to block that increase.

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Activists rally in support of gay marriage on March 25 in Chicago. The Illinois Senate has approved legislation that will legalize same-sex marriage, but it has stalled in the state House.

Will Ill. Legalize Gay Marriage Before Legislature Adjourns?

7:04pm May 30, 2013

by David Schaper

The clock is ticking for those who hope Illinois becomes the 13th state to legalize same-sex marriage. After passing the Illinois Senate in February, a bill to legalize gay marriage has stalled in the House. Backers are trying to get it through before the Legislature adjourns Friday night.

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White House Economic Adviser To Leave

10:19am May 30, 2013

by Scott Horsley

Alan Krueger, the chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers, says he will step down to return to Princeton to resume his post as a professor of economics. Krueger, who has served as CEA chairman for the past two years, will return to Princeton in time for the beginning of the fall term.

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Former Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey waits to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington on May 15, 2007. NPR has learned that Comey is in line to become President Obama's choice as the next FBI director.

Former Justice Official In Line To Be Named FBI Chief

6:25am May 30, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

Two sources familiar with the search for a new director of the agency tell NPR that James B. Comey is in line to succeed outgoing chief Robert Mueller. Comey was the No. 2 official at the Justice Department in the George W. Bush administration.

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