Politics & Government

Sanford's House Bid A Test Of S.C. Voters' Will To Forgive

12:38pm March 18, 2013

by Kathy Lohr

Mark Sanford, the South Carolina governor whose infamous affair led to his political downfall, is among 16 Republicans in Tuesday's primary. But he is by far the best-known and the most controversial. The special election will fill the seat left open when Tim Scott was tapped to replace retiring Sen. Jim DeMint.

Queue Listen Now

Justice Department's Tom Perez Tapped For Labor Secretary

12:38pm March 18, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

President Obama announced his choice to be Labor secretary on Monday. It's Tom Perez, a Justice Department civil rights leader — bringing a high-profile Latino to the Cabinet.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Annual Conservative Gathering Questions GOP's Direction

10:32am March 17, 2013

NPR's Don Gonyea brings us an update from the Conservative Political Action Conference finishing up this weekend. A speech by Jeb Bush at the conference is raising questions about the direction of the conservative wing of the Republican party, and about possible contenders in the 2016 presidential election.

Queue Listen Now

Reading The Tea Leaves Of Obama's Mideast Trip

9:57am March 17, 2013

President Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas when he travels to the Middle East next week. Host Scott Simon talks with Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic and Bloomberg View about the president's upcoming trip.

Queue Listen Now

What's Changed: From Brady Bill To Current Gun Control Push

7:46am March 16, 2013

Host Scott Simon speaks with Sarah Brady about current attempts to pass gun control legislation. Brady has been active in promoting additional gun control since her husband, former presidential press secretary James Brady, was shot in the head during the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Budget Battles And 2016 Bids: Recapping The Week In Politics

2:27pm March 14, 2013

From the ongoing budget battle to Sen. Carl Levin's retirement announcement, NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics. NPR's Phillip Reeves provides an update from Rome as cardinals elected a new pope.

Queue Listen Now

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, considered a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2016, was not invited to speak at CPAC.

Politics & Government

It's Still Early, But GOP Hopefuls Test The Waters For 2016

9:34am March 14, 2013

by Mara Liasson

From Chris Christie to Jeb Bush, a slew of potential candidates for president have been getting attention. Most of them are speaking this week at the Conservative Political Action Conference, but a few pointedly were not asked.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Controversies Over CPAC Reflect GOP's Woes

9:34am March 14, 2013

by Don Gonyea

Conservative activists are gathering just outside Washington, D.C., on Thursday for the annual gathering known as CPAC — the Conservative Political Action Conference. A year ago, the group was riding high, confident in their ability to help the Republican Party defeat President Obama. Today, controversy over who's speaking at the conference and who's boxed out illustrate the woes confronting the GOP.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Republicans Face Off Over Strategy For Picking Candidates

5:36pm March 13, 2013

by Mara Liasson

The big donors behind Karl Rove's Crossroads superPAC have started a new project to vet and recruit Republican candidates they believe can win. But some anti-establishment groups have viewed the project as an inside-the-Beltway power grab.

Queue Listen Now

Michigan Sen. Carl Levin speaks in Dearborn on Feb. 4.

Politics & Government

Retiring Carl Levin Says He Wants To Leave The Senate Fighting

5:36pm March 13, 2013

by NPR Staff

The Michigan senator tells NPR he wants to focus on the fiscal battle, not campaigning, in his last two years. He wants to push for ending tax loopholes and advocate for programs like education, health care and infrastructure.

Queue Listen Now