Brookings Institution
Senior fellow emeritus in the Governmental Studies Program of the Brookings Institution and Distinguished Professor of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University; former White House staffer under Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, and adviser to then-Presidents Ford and Carter; author of What Do We Do Now?: A Work Book for the President-elect and American Political Cartoons: The Evolution of a National Identity, 1754 – 2010
Political Gridlock and the Fight over the Consumer Watchdog Agency Political gridlock is pushing Washington closer to financial catastrophe if the two parties can't agree to raise the debt ceiling by August 2. Now there's potential gridlock over implementing last year's finance reform , passed by the Democrats when they controlled both houses. This year, Republicans are hell-bent to change it. Harvard Professor Elizabeth Warren is out as head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , so President Obama has nominated Ohio's Attorney to run the new agency. But Richard Cordray has to be confirmed by the Senate, and the GOP says he, too, is " dead on arrival ." They're demanding that a board, instead of a single director, run the new agency and that funding come from Congress rather than the Federal Reserve.
Political Gridlock and the Fight over the Consumer Watchdog Agency The debt ceiling and deficit aren't the only issues subject to partisan gridlock in Congress. Last year, with majorities in both houses of Congress, Democrats passed finance reform . This year, Republicans are hell-bent to change it. One controversial element is the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , which was given more power than Republicans wanted. President Obama has nominated Ohio's former Attorney General to run it. But the consumer advocate has to be confirmed by the Senate, and Republican Jerry Moran of Kansas, says Richard Cordray is " dead on arriva l." It's another example of political polarization in Washington: major bills might pass on party-line votes, but then lack the support required for implementation. Is divided government creating an atmosphere of perpetual gridlock? Is that making Washington unable to govern at all?
Has President Obama Failed to Match the Potential of Candidate Obama?
As many Americans take the opportunity sleep in or head to the mall for a little shopping on this Presidents' Day, the mood at the White House may be considerably less festive. A little over a year after President Barack Obama took office, some of his top priorities —like reforming healthcare and closing Guantanamo — appear to be foundering. Ever since the Democrats lost their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, there's been talk about who's at fault and where the Obama Administration has lost its mojo. Are these signs of a new administration just trying to find its feet, or are they indications of bigger problems? Is the man who was hailed as the consummate campaigner struggling to make the transition to governing? If so, who's to blame?
Has President Obama Failed to Match the Potential of Candidate Obama? As many Americans take the opportunity sleep in or head to the mall for a little shopping on this Presidents' Day, the mood at the White House may be considerably less festive. A little over a year after President Barack Obama took office, some of his top priorities —like reforming healthcare and closing Guantanamo — appear to be foundering. Ever since the Democrats lost their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, there's been talk about who's at fault and where the Obama Administration has lost its mojo. Are these signs of a new administration just trying to find its feet, or are they indications of bigger problems? Is the man who was hailed as the consummate campaigner struggling to make the transition to governing? If so, who's to blame?
How Much Does Vacation Matter? Members of the Senate and Congress are on summer breaks all over the world, visiting war zones as well as ancient ruins and sunny beaches. President Barack Obama is doing his best to get a much-need break from the burdens of office, taking his family to Martha's Vineyard. But less than half the American workers entitled to vacations are taking their full time. Many say there's just too much to do, or they're afraid of losing their jobs. Whatever happened to “mental health days?” Doesn't time off help prevent burnout and increase productivity? Would requiring vacations be a kind of healthcare reform, in addition to boosting the tourist economy?
Obama Names His Nation Security Team Barack Obama's national security team is full of familiar faces, including Hillary Clinton at State and Robert Gates staying on at Defense . Along with former Marine Corps Commandant General James Jones at the National Security Council , they've had many public disagreements with the president-elect. As he introduced them today, the President-elect described himself as a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions. Cautioning against the danger of "group-think and affirming that he welcomed " vigorous debate inside the White House ," he acknowledged that the buck stops with him. We hear about his so-called "team of rivals." Can they implement his vision for combining force and diplomacy?
Obama Names His Nation Security Team Barack Obama's national security team is full of familiar faces, including Hillary Clinton at State and Robert Gates staying on at Defense . Along with former Marine Corps Commandant General James Jones at the National Security Council , they've had many public disagreements with the president-elect. As he introduced them today, the President-elect described himself as a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions. Cautioning against the danger of "group-think and affirming that he welcomed " vigorous debate inside the White House ," he acknowledged that the buck stops with him. We hear about his so-called "team of rivals." Can they implement his vision for combining force and diplomacy?
The Bush-Obama Transition Begins As the Obamas make their ritual visit to the Bush White House, disagreement over an economic stimulus package could ruffle an otherwise smooth transition. The President-elect says, "It is not going to be quick and it is not going to be easy for us to dig ourselves out of the hole that we are in." He'll need a plan, an experienced and prestigious team to carry it out and a cooperative majority in Congress. Meantime, some Obama supporters are questioning the choice of Clinton-administration veterans for key jobs. They know how to get things done, but can they help Obama "change the culture of Washington," especially if they're tied to Wall Street financial interests? We hear about mounting pressures on Obama, as he promises to move with "deliberate haste."
What Kind of Person Runs for President? This year's presidential nominating process is longer, and arguably more grueling, than any in history. As we've heard so often, there has never been a day like today. Who is willing to put up with months of campaigning, day after day, under the eyes of cameras almost 24/7? Who wants to be in the White House? We get two perspectives. Stephen Hess served on the White House staffs of Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon and was an advisor to both Carter and Ford. Drew Weston is a professor of psychology at Emory University.
Can President Bush Score during His Lame-Duck Years? President Bush is facing some of his most difficult political days in the White House, confronted by tough audiences at home and abroad. In Europe for the G8 Summit , which starts tomorrow, the President already is facing criticism for his proposal on global warming . With new leaders in Europe, will Bush be able to form new political alliances? Can he count on traditional alliances? On the home front, with Democrats in control of Congress and conservatives angry over his immigration bill , will he be able to score any domestic political successes in the final years of his presidency? What does the history of presidential lame-duck years tell us about what the future may hold for George Bush?
Can President Bush Score during His Lame-Duck Years? President Bush is facing some of his most difficult political days in the White House, confronted by tough audiences at home and abroad. In Europe for the G8 Summit , which starts tomorrow, the President already is facing criticism for his proposal on global warming . With new leaders in Europe, will Bush be able to form new political alliances? Can he count on traditional alliances? On the home front, with Democrats in control of Congress and conservatives angry over his immigration bill , will he be able to score any domestic political successes in the final years of his presidency? What does the history of presidential lame-duck years tell us about what the future may hold for George Bush?
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.
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.