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Berg strains his Tea on US Republican Right

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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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?

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Gun 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.

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Only 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.

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Pakistan-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.

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The Guardian | LINKS|

Jimmy 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.

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Gillard’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 Daily Beast | LINKS|

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?

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Information is Beautiful | LINKS|

The 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.

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Slate | LINKS|

Salesman 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.

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Palin 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.

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Shell-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.

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Obama’s second press conference

President Obama pushed for his budget blueprint in his second prime-time press conference, writes CBS.

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Kohler: 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.

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The 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?

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McCain slams Obama

Former Presidential candidate John McCain has slammed Obama’s $410 billion spending bill, reports Politico.

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Obama’s new health team

Obama has named Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Nancy-Ann DeParle as his new health team, reports Reuters.

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Obama’s speech to Congress

Watch the full video here.

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Pundits 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.

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Gregg withdraws from Commerce

Judd Gregg has abruptly withdrawn from his nomination for Commerce Secretary, reports Politico.

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Womens Agenda

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