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FROM E.J. Dionne

How the Right went wrong
To the Point

How the Right went wrong E.J. Dionne's recent book was prescient. Timed to appear during the presidential campaign, his latest is Why the Right Went Wrong: Conservatism from Goldwater to the Tea Party and Beyond . He joined us during the heat of the presidential primaries.

8 MIN, 55 SEC Dec 30, 2016

Can the Trump Family Reality Show Unify the Republicans?
To the Point

Can the Trump Family Reality Show Unify the Republicans? The first day of Donald Trump's nominating convention was short on policy but long on a Dystopian view of America in 2016 — and there was no doubt about who was getting the blame. Tonight, House Speaker Paul Ryan gets his turn to rally a divided convention behind a candidate many delegates don't support. Trump's own role has been compromised by evidence of plagiarism in his wife's speech and his Fox News interview that upstaged the convention. Chris Christie and Ben Carson will continue the dark theme of American decline. Will delegate spirits get a lift from two of Trump's children? We get a preview of the politics -- and the prime-time entertainment.

34 MIN, 6 SEC Jul 19, 2016

Will the Real Donald Trump Please Stand Up?
To the Point

Will the Real Donald Trump Please Stand Up? Did Donald Trump's campaign just show its true colors? Last night, Trump's new campaign chief told Florida Republican Party officials that Trump has been playing a "part" during the presidential campaign, and would now take on a new "persona" that is more mainstream Republican. The conversation took place in a closed door meeting, but the Washington Post obtained an audio recording of it. Photo: George So who's the real Donald Trump? The candidate who has belittled the Republican Party as corrupt and exclusionary, or the candidate that now promises to carry the GOP line? Should the GOP believe him? Has his presidential campaign been just another reality show?  E.J. Dionne is a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post and author of Why the Right Went Wrong: From Goldwater to the Tea Party and Beyond .

9 MIN, 19 SEC Apr 22, 2016

The GOP's Cycle of Unmet Promises and the Rise of Trump
To the Point

The GOP's Cycle of Unmet Promises and the Rise of Trump This year’s presidential campaign is dramatic evidence of a sharp turn taken by the Republican Party 50 years ago. That’s according to E.J. Dionne, Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and a senior columnist with the Washington Post .

13 MIN Feb 26, 2016

In the State of Iowa: The Show Must Go On
To the Point

In the State of Iowa: The Show Must Go On Monday's Iowa caucuses may seem like an anti-climax after this week's surreal TV drama, which is more about public perception than political power. Never before has a supposed front-runner put on his own event to upstage a debate between his opponents — while cable news channels take sides. We look for the significance behind the sound and fury for both political parties -- in Iowa and beyond, when attention will turn to New Hampshire.

34 MIN, 8 SEC Jan 29, 2016

Will the Tea Party Find a Second Act?
Which Way, L.A.?

Will the Tea Party Find a Second Act? In the 2010 midterm elections, members of the Tea Party swept into Congress with the fervor of true believers, vowing to cut spending and government regulation. But this year, voters sent some of them packing. Representatives Allen West and Joe Walsh -- two leading Tea Party figures -- lost re-election bids. Jim DeMint , a Tea Party leader, is resigning his Senate seat to take a job as the head of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank. Several who remain in Congress have been kicked off coveted committees after not going along with Republican leaders on key votes. The movement is still a force within the GOP, but the 2012 election has weakened their position. According to polls, the Tea Party is experiencing record lows in public opinion. We look at what’s next for the Tea Party. Can it remain an influential force in American politics?

35 MIN, 5 SEC Dec 11, 2012

Will the Tea Party Find a Second Act?
To the Point

Will the Tea Party Find a Second Act? In the 2010 midterm elections, members of the Tea Party swept into Congress with the fervor of true believers, vowing to cut spending and government regulation. But this year, voters sent some of them packing. Representatives Allen West and Joe Walsh -- two leading Tea Party figures -- lost re-election bids. Jim DeMint , a Tea Party leader, is resigning his Senate seat to take a job as the head of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank. Several who remain in Congress have been kicked off coveted committees after not going along with Republican leaders on key votes. The movement is still a force within the GOP, but the 2012 election has weakened their position. According to polls, the Tea Party is experiencing record lows in public opinion. We look at what’s next for the Tea Party. Can it remain an influential force in American politics?

36 MIN, 32 SEC Dec 11, 2012

Will New Voter ID Laws Protect the Polls or Suppress Turnout?
Which Way, L.A.?

Will New Voter ID Laws Protect the Polls or Suppress Turnout? Republicans now control legislatures in more than half the states and, in many they're passing laws requiring voters to bring state-issued photo-identification to the polls. Are they really trying to prevent voter fraud or keep supporters of Barack Obama away from the polls? Do Democrats have real proof that minorities, old people and college students can't produce state-issued picture ID's? We hear a debate that's raging in state legislatures across the country.

25 MIN, 17 SEC Jun 27, 2011

Election Fraud, Voter ID and Gerrymandering
To the Point

Election Fraud, Voter ID and Gerrymandering Red-State Republicans are enacting laws to require voters to identify themselves at the polls with picture-identification not everybody has access to. Democrats claim the GOP is trying to rig next year's elections by depriving minorities, old people and college students from exercising the right to vote. Republicans claim that voter fraud threatens the integrity of elections, while Democrats call that a myth. Does either side have persuasive evidence? Also, which party will benefit most from redrawing Congressional district boundaries?

35 MIN, 31 SEC Jun 27, 2011

Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal; 'Newtiny;' Weiner Effect; Debt and Jobs
Left, Right & Center

Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal; 'Newtiny;' Weiner Effect; Debt and Jobs The fight over US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Gates criticizes NATO, Gingrich team's "Newtiny," the Anthony Weiner scandal, and fixing debt versus creating jobs.

29 MIN Jun 10, 2011

Who's to Blame if the US Government Shuts Down?
Which Way, L.A.?

Who's to Blame if the US Government Shuts Down? As Washington moved toward a federal government shutdown starting at midnight tomorrow, politicians of both parties assumed their competing postures. From Capitol Hill to distant battlefields, the shutdown would be felt by millions of Americans, most of all by 800,000 federal employees who won't be paid for as long as it lasts. We look at last-minute efforts to stave it off.

26 MIN, 13 SEC Apr 07, 2011

Democrats and Republicans on the Brink in Washington
To the Point

Democrats and Republicans on the Brink in Washington For the third time in three days, Congressional leaders went back to the White House early this afternoon to try to avoid a government shutdown starting at midnight tomorrow. Both sides agree it's not just about money, but also Republican demands to eliminate healthcare reform, Planned Parenthood, EPA regulations and NPR. They got their chance after Democrats lost the Congress without passing a budget for this year. After two stop-gap measures, there's still no deal. We update the last-minute negotiating and look at the so-called "non-essential" federal services that could stop at midnight tomorrow.

36 MIN, 40 SEC Apr 07, 2011

Republicans in the House: A New Era on Capitol Hill
Which Way, L.A.?

Republicans in the House: A New Era on Capitol Hill Republicans will be taking over the Congress tomorrow loaded for bear. Their goals include dismantling healthcare and finance reform and cutting $100 billion in federal spending. Their symbols include a reading of the Constitution on the House floor, an action that's never been taken before.

26 MIN, 18 SEC Jan 04, 2011

Republicans in the House: A New Era on Capitol Hill
To the Point

Republicans in the House: A New Era on Capitol Hill House Republicans are snorting political fire, on a mission to dismantle the Obama agenda. Their goals include dismantling healthcare and finance reform and cutting $100 billion in federal spending. Their symbols include a reading of the Constitution on the House floor, an action that's never been taken before. With the biggest GOP majority since the era of Harry Truman, they plan to change the rules in hopes of changing the way Congress does business. If the Senate Democrats stymie their efforts, will they be blamed for gridlock in 2012, or will the new Congress, inspired by the Tea Party, over-reach? Will they meet the fate of previous reformers and be absorbed by an institution devoted to business as usual?

36 MIN, 33 SEC Jan 04, 2011

Tea Parties and the Religious Right in America
To the Point

Tea Parties and the Religious Right in America The Tea Party movement may sound new and different to a lot of Americans, especially since the religious right has dominated conservative American politics in recent years. But, writes E.J. Dionne, "the rise of the Tea Party movement is a throwback to an old form of libertarianism." Dionne, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and syndicated columnist for the Washington Post looks at the movement in the light of political history.

5 MIN, 47 SEC Jun 21, 2010

This Year's Mid-Term Elections: Which Party Will Party?
To the Point

This Year's Mid-Term Elections: Which Party Will Party? After one year in office, President Obama has yet to deliver his first State of the Union address, but his approval ratings are on the decline. This week, three Democrats made headlines by deciding not to stand for re-election, provoking reports that the party's in big trouble. But even more Republicans are dropping out, the GOP's short of money, and Chairman Michael Steele says his party's " not ready " to seize control on Capitol Hill. We look at the prospects for this year's mid-term elections.  Will they determine whether President Obama finally succeeds or fails? Will the Democrats lose control on Capitol Hill?  Should Republicans and Democrats appeal to their most ideological voters or move to the center?

37 MIN, 45 SEC Jan 08, 2010

Recommended

Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump
To the Point

Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.

51 MIN, 13 SEC Jun 06, 2017

How was the trip?
Left, Right & Center

How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.

28 MIN, 31 SEC May 26, 2017

White House budget proposal slashes and burns
To the Point

White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?

50 MIN, 44 SEC May 24, 2017

Who's to blame for the opioid crisis?
To the Point

Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.

51 MIN, 17 SEC Jun 09, 2017

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