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Friday

Year In Politics Reviewed

President Obama's self-described "shellacking" and Republican House leader John Boehner's emotions getting the better of him were some of the more memorable moments of the year in politics. We hear these and a sampling of others.

Year In Politics Reviewed

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National

What's Ahead In The Year In Politics?

The health care debate and President Obama's political fortunes dominated the year in politics. How will these and other issues play out in the coming year. E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and Reihan Salam, a blogger at National Review and policy advisor at Economics 21, offer their insight.

What's Ahead In The Year In Politics?

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Analysis

'Tell Me' Awards Honor Year's Political Stars, Gaffes

In this week's Political Chat roundtable, host Michel Martin looks back on the year that was, in politics. She reviews the highlights of 2010 in the form of a "political awards show" with Mary Kate Cary, columnist and blogger for the US News and World Report and Cynthia Tucker, columnist and blogger with the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

'Tell Me' Awards Honor Year's Political Stars, Gaffes

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House Republicans To Read Constitution Aloud

With a nod to the Tea Party, the Republicans taking over the House of Representatives next week will read the Constitution aloud, in its entirety. It's something that has never been done in the chamber's 221-year history. Many in the Tea Party feel Congress has strayed far from the country's founding principles.

House Republicans To Read Constitution Aloud

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National

Decade In Sound: Voices In The News 2000-2010

Remember Y2K? That's beginning to seem like a long time ago, now. Morning Edition takes some time to remember how much has happened since the turn of the century. Listen for a decade of history in this audio montage.

Decade In Sound: Voices In The News 2000-2010

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Thursday

World

Obama Appoints Four New Ambassadors

Using his power to make appointments when the Senate is in recess, President Obama has appointed four new ambassadors -- to Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic. The four nominees have been waiting an average of five months for Senate confirmation; Robert Stephen Ford, named ambassador to Syria, had been waiting since February. His nomination was blocked by Republicans who didn't want to "reward" Syria as it provides support to Hezbollah and Hamas.

Obama Appoints Four New Ambassadors

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Obama Bypasses Senate For Key Justice Post

President Obama has named six people to executive jobs, circumventing the Senate confirmation process. Notable among them is James Cole, whose nomination as deputy attorney general has been pending in the Senate since May.

Obama Bypasses Senate For Key Justice Post

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An Exit Interview With Ohio Sen. George Voinovich

All Things Considered has been conducting exit interviews with some members of Congress who'll be leaving when the new House and Senate are sworn in next week. Today, host Robert Siegel speaks to Sen. George Voinovich, an Ohio Republican, who served two terms in the Senate after having been governor of Ohio and mayor of Cleveland.

An Exit Interview With Ohio Sen. George Voinovich

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National

Earmark Vital To Keeping Fort Drum Area Healthy

North Country Public Radio

A $400,000 earmark funds an organization that helps connect soldiers and their families at Fort Drum with private-practice doctors. The service was necessary because Fort Drum lacks its own hospital, but it has also helped bolster the region's health care assets as a whole.

Earmark Vital To Keeping Fort Drum Area Healthy

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Analysis

Even Snow Has Politics

Some major East Coast cities are still struggling to recover from snowstorms that battered the region on Sunday and Monday. In New York, many streets remain unplowed and angry residents have criticized Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the city's slow response. Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker has, meanwhile, been praised nationally for his personal handling of the blizzard. Host Michel Martin speaks with NPR Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving about the politics of snow.

Even Snow Has Politics

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Analysis

Political Lessons From Old Chicago Blizzard Still Linger

Snowstorms and the response to them have had political implications for city mayors in the past. In 1979, Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic was voted out of office amid public outrage at his handling of a massive blizzard. Host Michel Martin speaks with Bilandic's successor, former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne, about lessons learned from the historic storm.

Political Lessons From Old Chicago Blizzard Still Linger

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Wednesday