The US Tea Party isn’t that hard to understand — the libertarian streak is tiny and they’re an uneasy fit in the Republican Party. Chris Berg doesn’t seem to understand.
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US POLITICS
The Union is fine, the Republicans not so much
President Obama’s State of the Union address set out some ambitious progressive reforms, while the Republicans scatter and filibuster as they work out which battles to fight. Crikey takes the political pulse of the US.
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Reagan, Clinton, Bush: the second-term curse awaiting Obama
Barack Obama’s place in history will be decided this year. He has a small window to enact his ambitious agenda, and a hostile Congress to get it done. Dr David Smith of The United States Studies Centre explains.
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Candelight vigils guide Obama’s unlikely new gun laws
In the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary shooting, President Barack Obama has proposed a range of new gun laws. What would it take to get the laws through the Republican-controlled House?
READ MOREGun control might work, but US needs to temper paranoia and rage
The school shootings in Connecticut have revived a stalled debate on gun control. But history is against any meaningful action to limit gun ownership.
READ MOREOnly faint hope for a deal with Iran on nukes
For a couple of months things have been looking pretty bleak on the Iranian front.
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Yet another Iowa front-runner — yes, it’s Ron Paul
Already Newt Gingrich’s chances for the Republican nomination are being written off, and there is a new GOP frontrunner in Iowa — Texas congressman Ron Paul.
READ MOREPakistan-US relations: annus horribilis
There is a growing belief that the US now needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs the US, writes Alicia Mollaun, an Islamabad-based PhD candidate at the Crawford School at ANU.
READ MOREJimmy Carter, the nicest president of them all
Former US president Jimmy Carter ights for global health from his modest house in the tiny town where he was once a peanut farmer. Carole Cadwalladr interviews the fascinating man, who remains proud he never ‘dropped a bomb’ as president.
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Black is back as evangelical Republicans rally
As Barack Obama mobilises his re-election campaign, the Republican base is for the first time excited about a black man running for president — former fast food chain executive Herman Cain, that is. Crikey was at the Faith and Freedom Coalition in DC.
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A game for political wonks
Ever wanted to redraw political boundaries in your own name? An online game allows you to do it, and teaches how gerrymandering can have such a poisonous effect on democracy, says Ben Raue.
READ MOREGillard’s travelling circus: $10k to report from the wrong side of the velvet rope
There are many dozen staff, journalists and crew who are quite thankful the massive operation that is a prime ministerial trip to America is just about over. It’s an expensive and exhausting experience.
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The many faces of Jon Stewart
During Jon Stewart’s interview with Barack Obama on The Daily Show the left-leaning comedian ventured much further than straight comedy. Everybody knows Stewart is a liberal, but where does his comedy end and his political advocacy begin?
READ MOREThe difference between left wing and right wing
Want to know the difference between left wing and right wing? This info graphic will help you out.
READ MORESalesman Obama — polls not buying Prez’ hard sell
Is Obama simply a poor salesman? Despite trying to sell his achievements for months, the US President is still lagging in the polls, writes John Dickerson.
READ MOREPalin on the nose, so who wants to be America’s next top Republican?
The base has spoken: Mitt Romney is the man most likely to win America’s Next Top Republican and challenge Barack Obama in 2013. Harley Dennett reports on the influential Conservative Political Action Conference.
READ MOREShell-shocked Democrats navel gaze on Massachusetts
There are major potholes ahead for the Democratic Party; no-one could dispute that. The Left are complaining, the Right are mobilising and the middle class independents are seeing confusion where they expect results.
READ MOREObama’s second press conference
President Obama pushed for his budget blueprint in his second prime-time press conference, writes CBS.
READ MOREKohler: Geithner’s middle way
The US Treasury Secretary’s clear-up of toxic loans looks like the worst possible plan, except for all the others, writes Alan Kohler.
READ MOREThe Geithner plan: a Crikey wrap
Wall Street appears to have given US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s $1tn toxic assets plan the thumbs-up, with the Dow surging nearly 500 points on Monday. But what do the pundits think?
READ MOREMcCain slams Obama
Former Presidential candidate John McCain has slammed Obama’s $410 billion spending bill, reports Politico.
READ MOREObama’s new health team
Obama has named Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Nancy-Ann DeParle as his new health team, reports Reuters.
READ MOREObama’s speech to Congress
Watch the full video here.
READ MOREPundits go ape over NY Post cartoon
The New York Post’s editorial cartoon published in their 18 February edition has left a few in the media and blogosphere a little miffed. See if you can guess why.
READ MOREGregg withdraws from Commerce
Judd Gregg has abruptly withdrawn from his nomination for Commerce Secretary, reports Politico.
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