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Washington Post
Politics reporter for the Washington Post and co-author of One-Party Country: The Republican Plan for Dominance in the 21st Century; former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times
PROFILE
Tom Hamburger
Guest
FROM Tom Hamburger
To the Point
Trump, the Mormons in Utah and a splintering GOP Utah hasn't gone Democratic in 52 years, but Donald Trump may be turning it into a swing state. His campaign against Islam reminds Mormons of brutal persecution against their religion. Doubling down on his appeal to the base, he's asking evangelical Christians not just to vote for him, but to pray for him, too. That's troubling other constituencies, including white women who favor women's rights and same-sex marriage. In the process, Trump is accentuating divisions within the Republican Party that are likely to outlive his presidential campaign.
To the Point
Trump University Court Documents Go Public Federal judge Gonzalo Curiel has released documents in the class action suit against Trump University. Yesterday, anticipating today’s action, Donald Trump offered his usual mixed message, "I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump, a hater. He's a hater. His name is Gonzalo Curiel. The judge, who happens to be we believe Mexican, which is great. I think that's fine." Tom Hamburger reports on politics for the Washington Post , which first asked for the documents released today.
To the Point
School Lunches, the Food Lobby and the First Lady First Lady Michelle Obama may not be lecturing kids about obesity and heart disease, but she does want them eating their fruits and vegetables . Nationwide, most districts are complying with nutritional standards she's pushed for the federal school lunch program, even though it's not easy. But in some districts, kids are throwing the healthy stuff into the trashcans and, now, the multi-billion dollar processed-food industry is raising its voice. Congress is considering "waivers" for schools to opt out. Is it Washington's role to save a new generation from obesity and heart disease? Why has the School Nutrition Association changed sides? Will kids get the last word on what goes into their bodies?
Which Way, L.A.?
Big Money, Secrecy and Control of the Congress For months, the Tea Party movement has dominated political news but, with a few exceptions, its candidates have not done very well. That trend continued yesterday in primary results from Michigan, Missouri and Kansas. The 800-pound gorilla in November's final elections will be unlimited campaign spending by corporations and unions, legalized by the US Supreme Court's ruling this January in the Citizens United case.
To the Point
Corporate Campaign Fundraising Goes into Overdrive The Tea Party movement has made political headlines, but the big news in this year's congressional races will be money. In January, the Supreme Court legalized unlimited campaign spending by corporations and unions, and corporate America is hoping to change control of the Congress. Right now, Democrats have more cash on hand, but corporate support for Republicans will be massive and contributors can remain anonymous. Money and secrecy can be a potent political combination. We talk about their potential impact on November's mid-term elections.
Which Way, L.A.?
The US Supreme Court and Partisan Politics Last week, by a vote of five to four, the US Supreme Court overturned two of its own precedents and a 63-year-old limit on corporate spending in political campaigns. The majority said it was lifting the burden of "censorship." The dissenters said it was opening the door wider than ever to corporate corruption.
To the Point
The US Supreme Court and Partisan Politics Corporations are individuals with First Amendment rights, and they can spend whatever they want to in political campaigns. So said the US Supreme Court last week in a 5-to-4 ruling that overturned two of its own precedents and a 63-year-old limit on corporate spending in political campaigns. The majority said it was lifting the burden of "censorship." The dissenters said it was opening the door wider than ever to corporate corruption. Is the decision a victory for free speech or will it drown out "the voice of the people." Will there be more money in politics than ever before? Will Republicans get a big, new advantage? Will there be all that much of a difference? We look at the ruling, the controversy and the possible impact in this year's elections and beyond.
To the Point
The Power of Prayer for the Healthcare Bill Christian Science prayer treatments either substitute for medical treatments or supplement them, and can cost as little as $20 a day. Today's Los Angeles Times reports that the Senate's healthcare reform legislation contains a little-noticed provision requiring insurance companies to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments. Tom Hamburger and Kim Geiger co-authored the story.
To the Point
Obama's Back-to-School Speech Stresses Responsibility President Obama's plan for an inspirational back-to-school message was initially attacked by some conservatives as a recipe for socialist indoctrination. Today's speech , at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, stressed responsibility, both to oneself and to one's country. "The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best." Tom Hamburger reports from Washington for the Los Angeles Times .
To the Point
Obama's Ethical Standards under Attack, but What about Hillary? One prominent feature of American political campaigns is what is politely called "opposition research." That means digging up whatever you can about an opponent's record to make him or her look bad, hopefully by finding embarrassing contrasts to the candidate's current positions. Lately, the Obama and Clinton campaigns have been exchanging accusations about each other's positions and past records. Tom Hamburger, who covers money and politics for the Los Angeles Times , has some details.
To the Point
Rove under Investigation by Office of Special Counsel The latest investigation of the Bush Administration does not come from Congress but from inside the Administration itself. The Office of Special Counsel monitors low-level federal officials to make sure they obey the rules and don't engage in prohibited political activities. Now the agency's head, Scott Bloch, says he "will not leave any stone unturned" as he investigates no less a target than the President's chief political advisor, Karl Rove. That's according to Tom Hamburger in today's Los Angeles Times .
Recommended
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.
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?
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?