New York Times
Kate Zernike is a national correspondent for the New York Times and the author of Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America.
PROFILE
Kate Zernike
Guest
FROM Kate Zernike
To the Point
Can America's Left start its own Tea Party? Across the country, protesters are calling on Democrats to obstruct the Trump Administration wherever they can. In the US Senate, Elizabeth Warren and others have got the message, and they’re defying Republicans by attacking Trump’s nominee for Attorney General. But how long can the political energy be sustained — especially when Republicans complain that they’re in danger at town halls when demonstrators turn on them. Is a so-called "resistance" movement at risk of alienating the supporters it needs most to accomplish political change?
To the Point
Revered High School Football Team Taken Down by Hazing and Assault Scandal The “Bombers” of the War Memorial High School in Sayerville, New Jersey have won three of the last four state championships. But over the weekend, seven players were arrested, and the rest of this year’s season has been cancelled. One city councilman says Sayreville, New Jersey, “ss a town that lives on Friday night lights” when the Bombers of the War Memorial High School take the field. That’s according to Kate Zernike of the New York Times, who reports that the lights are off for the rest of this season.
To the Point
Will New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Answer for "Bridgegate"? A landslide re-election made New Jersey Governor Chris Christie a presidential prospect. Now he faces a question every American voter can understand: Why was a 30-minute trip across the busiest bridge in the world extended to four hours for commuters, school kids and first responders—for 4 days in a row? Christie’s first news conference about those 4 days of lane-closures on the George Washington Bridge went on for two hours, and Christie insists he doesn’t know what went wrong. But the lawyer for one of Christie’s former aides has hinted that the decision did go all the way to the top. Today, we’ll update what has been revealed, what’s being speculated about and the potential consequences for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
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?
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?
Which Way, L.A.?
The Tea Party: Past, Present and Future GOP presidential candidates faced a Tea Party crowd last night. Before the debate, CNN worked with Tea Party groups to recruit the audience and ask some of the questions. We hear what they said and ask about Tea Party influence in deciding the nominee of a divided Republican Party. Websites of Republican presidential candidates: Newt Gingrich Michele Bachmann Mitt Romney Rick Perry Ron Paul Herman Cain Jon Huntsman, Jr Rick Santorum
To the Point
The Tea Party and the GOP Presidential Nomination During the debt-ceiling debate, one prominent pundit said Tea Party members of Congress of "[held] the nation hostage" by refusing to compromise. A Wall Street Journal poll showed negative views of the Tea Party doubled between January and July. So how much influence will it have in next year's election? Last night, CNN made Tea Party groups co-sponsors of a two-hour, prime-time debate between Republican presidential candidates. Before the debate, the cable-news outlet worked with Tea Party groups to recruit the audience and ask some of the questions. Who's in the Tea Party? How have they changed Congress? How did they change the shape of a contest that still hasn't settled down? Websites of Republican presidential candidates: Newt Gingrich Michele Bachmann Mitt Romney Rick Perry Ron Paul Herman Cain Jon Huntsman, Jr Rick Santorum
Which Way, L.A.?
Closing Out the Old Year and Ringing In the New Those end-of-the-year wrap-ups are starting to show up everywhere, and they're not making for cheery reading. 2010 was a rough year for many people who continued to struggle. In the United States, the news was dominated by the economy and big changes on the political landscape as Tea Partiers shook up the status quo. What's ahead on horizon? In 2011, where should we be looking for good news? Who's thinking about new answers to solve ongoing problems and prevent future disasters? How do disasters and downturns affect our cultural psyche? How does the world look beyond our own horizons? Are things brighter for the developing world?
To the Point
Closing Out the Old Year and Ringing In the New Those end-of-the-year wrap-ups are starting to show up everywhere, and they're not making for cheery reading. 2010 was a rough year for many people who continued to struggle. In the United States, the news was dominated by the economy and big changes on the political landscape as Tea Partiers shook up the status quo. What's ahead on horizon? In 2011, where should we be looking for good news? Who's thinking about new answers to solve ongoing problems and prevent future disasters? How do disasters and downturns affect our cultural psyche? How does the world look beyond our own horizons? Are things brighter for the developing world?
Which Way, L.A.?
The Tea Parties and the Consequences in Congress A recent study by the New York Times estimates that about 30 Tea Party candidates have a chance of getting to Congress and eight or so to the Senate. We talk with Tea Partiers and others about where they're coming from and how even a small contingent could have a big influence on Capitol Hill.
To the Point
The Tea Parties and the Consequences in Congress The New York Times says about 30 Tea Party candidates could get to the House, while eight have a chance at the Senate. There is no official platform, but all want "smaller government," and their constituents' demands range from repealing healthcare reform to abolishing Medicare and Social Security. Many long for what they see as the Good Old Days -- before 1900 -- and they regard the Constitution as a form of holy writ. We talk with Tea Partiers and others about where they're coming from and how even a small contingent could have a big influence on Capitol Hill.
To the Point
Can Tea Parties Brew Real Political Change? Some polls show hypothetical Tea Party candidates with more support than Democrats or Republicans, but the key word is “hypothetical.” As the Tea Party Convention begins today in Nashville, it's not clear that any candidate could get away with claiming “Tea Party” association. Republicans are trying to focus their anger, but tea-partiers lump both major parties into one, hated Establishment. Why have so many original organizers pulled out of this week's convention? Will Sarah Palin damage her image by appearing and taking a big fee? Will the convention define a political movement or dramatize differences that can't be resolved?
To the Point
Democratic Control of Senate Hangs in the Balance Democratic Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota is in intensive care today after undergoing surgery last night for a brain hemorrhage. A statement from his office says he is recovering without complication, but he remains in critical-but-stable condition and there's no long term prognosis. Hanging in the balance in not only Johnson's life, but the fragile incoming Democratic majority in the US Senate . If Johnson remains incapacitated or dies, his replacement would be named by Governor Mike Rounds who would likely nominate a fellow Republican.
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Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.