Senators Create Bipartisan Resolution on Bush January 31, 2007 • Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Carl Levin (D-MI) have reached an agreement to merge their separate resolutions opposing President Bush's troop buildup in Iraq. The decision comes after much maneuvering among the competing Senate resolutions on President Bush's plan for a troop buildup.
Obituaries Molly Ivins Dies at 62 After Bout with Breast Cancer January 31, 2007 • Syndicated columnist and best-selling author Molly Ivins has died of breast cancer at the age of 62. As editor of the Texas Observer during the 1970s, Ivins became famous for her biting wit. Her book about President Bush was titled Shrub.
Taking the Financial Temperature of the Middle Class January 31, 2007 • Democrats in Congress are holding several hearings about pressures on middle class families.
Analysis New Leaders in Congress Show Some Old Tricks January 31, 2007 • Before they took over the House of Representatives, Democrats promised to run a very different show than Republicans. But as the House takes up the continuing resolution — which will fund most of the federal government through the fiscal year — the new party in power is freezing out the old.
Second by Law: New Hampshire's Primary January 31, 2007 • In New Hampshire, it's more than a tradition to hold the nation's first presidential primary; it's the law. Since 1975, New Hampshire's secretary of state has been required to set a date for the primary that comes before any other contests. Iowa is the sole exception.
The Lewis Libby Case Reporter Says Libby, Rove Told Him of Plame's Work January 31, 2007 • At the Lewis Libby trial in Washington, D.C., a second journalist testifies under subpoena about conversations with his secret sources. One of those sources was Libby. Another was Bush aide Karl Rove. The reporter, Time magazine's Matt Cooper, said he talked with both Libby and Rove about the identity of undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame.
On Wall Street, Bush Declares Economy Healthy January 31, 2007 • President Bush visits the Wall Street economic hub, where he shook hands on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The president said that healthy macro-economic numbers are a tribute to his tax-cutting programs.
California Considers Moving Primary to February January 31, 2007 • California is thinking about moving its June presidential primary to Feb. 5, so that voters in the Golden State will have more say in picking the nominees. The national impact could be enormous. But critics say it could result in a candidate that hasn't really been tested.
National Sen. Dodd: Troop Increase Continues 'Failed Policy' January 31, 2007 • Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) says President Bush's plan to increase troops in Iraq is a "continuation of a failed policy." Dodd, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, discusses the Iraq war and his presidential aspirations.
Analysis Iraq War Resolutions, Finding the Right Candidate January 31, 2007 • NPR political editor Ken Rudin and National Review editor Richard Lowry talk about war resolutions from the Senate, two new presidential candidates and the search for a conservative right-wing winner.
News South Dakota to Consider Revised Ban on Abortion January 31, 2007 • South Dakota voters rejected a ban on abortions last November. Now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers plans to introduce a modified version of the ban that would make exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the pregnant woman.
Asian-American Politicians Flourish in Calif. County January 31, 2007 • California's Santa Clara County is the home of Silicon Valley, a region that's famous for tech innovation. The area is also becoming a window on the future of politics: the county has five Asian-American mayors, four of them first-generation immigrants.
Opinion Political Junkie Tough Battles for Governor Highlight of '07 Races January 31, 2007 • Obama, McCain, Hillary, Rudy — they're not going away any time soon. There's plenty to say, and plenty of time to say it. Meanwhile, below the radar is something called the 2007 elections, many of which are pretty compelling. And they are coming up pretty soon.
World Stuart Bowen on Problems in Iraq Fresh Air January 31, 2007 • Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, has just issued his quarterly report investigating waste, fraud and security problems in the reconstruction efforts.
Middle East U.S. Ties Iran to Deaths of U.S. Soldiers in Iraq January 31, 2007 • The U.S. government charges that Iran has been involved in the deaths of American soldiers. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns says Iran is making "sophisticated technology" available to insurgents who are targeting U.S. troops.
