Political Wire

  • Front Page
  • Members
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
  • Trending
  • Resources
    • Politics Extra
    • Political Job Hunt
    • Political Dictionary
    • Electoral Vote Map
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
Members should sign in for the full experience.

Obama Stakes Credibility on Syria Attack

September 6, 2013 at 6:37 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

President Obama scrambled with senior advisers “to soften resistance to a military strike against the Syrian government among U.S. lawmakers and some of Obama’s most reliable global allies,” the Washington Post reports.

“Obama has staked the credibility of the United States — and his presidency — on his call for a military operation to punish the Syrian government for its alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians last month.”

“But the president faces hardening barriers in Congress, where both Republican critics and Democratic allies have voiced deep reservations or flat opposition to his proposal to intervene militarily in a predominantly Muslim nation after a decade of war overseas. Polls show that much of the American public is skeptical, too.”

New York Times: “In private, Mr. Obama and his team see the votes as a guidepost for the rest of his presidency well beyond the immediate question of launching missiles at Syrian military targets. If Congress does not support a relatively modest action in response to a chemical attack that killed more than 1,400 people in Syria, Obama advisers said, the president will not be able to count on support for virtually any use of force.”

Henry Won’t Close Door on Possible 2014 Bid

September 6, 2013 at 6:22 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Former Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry (D) said it’s “unlikely he’ll run for governor in 2014, but he didn’t completely rule out the possibility and said he’s confident he’s eligible for a third term as the state’s chief executive,” the AP reports.

When asked if the door was completely shut on a gubernatorial bid against Republican Gov. Mary Fallin in 2014, Henry responded: “There’s a little bit of light shining through that door, because you never say never.”

U.S. May Get Pulled Into Syrian Civil War

September 5, 2013 at 1:00 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Fareed Zakaria: “From the start of the Syrian conflict, President Obama has wanted to take two very different approaches to it. On the one hand, he has been disciplined about the definition of American interests and the use of force. On the other hand, he has sought a way to respond to Bashar Assad’s human-rights atrocities…. The reality is, the U.S. has now put its credibility on the line. It will find it extremely difficult to keep its actions limited in a volatile situation. And were it to succeed in ousting Assad, it would be implicated in the next phase of this war, which would almost certainly lead to chaos and the slaughter or ethnic cleansing of the Alawite sect (to which Assad belongs) and perhaps of other minorities, as happened in Iraq.”


You're reading the free version of Political Wire

Upgrade to a paid membership to unlock full access. The process is quick and easy. You can even use Apple Pay.

    Upgrade Now

  • ✔ Become a member to get many great benefits -- exclusive analysis, a trending news page, a private podcast, no advertising and more!
  • ✔ If you're already a member, log in for the full experience.



An Epic Fall for Congress

September 5, 2013 at 12:12 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Politico: “In the next two months, the most unpopular institution in America will decide the fates of a president’s power, a military strike, defense contracts, the budget, health-care implementation, the Federal Reserve chairmanship, illegal immigrants, and all of us who would be hit by a debt default.”

“It will be bitter, ugly, extremely high stakes and in every case wildly unpredictable.”

Bonus Quote of the Day

September 5, 2013 at 12:00 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

“I’m not exactly leading the charge. But I’m supporting the president.”

— House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), in an interview with Time, on President Obama seeking authorization for military intervention in Syria.

Party Control of Congress Doesn’t Matter to Public

September 5, 2013 at 11:44 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

A new Monmouth University poll finds 76% of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing while just 14% approve.

Key findings: “When asked which chamber has been doing a better job for the country, 18% pick the House and 14% name the Senate. The majority (60%) say both have performed about the same. Unsurprisingly, Republicans are more likely to say the House (32%) rather than the Senate (7%) has done a better job. Democrats are somewhat more likely to give the Senate (20%) the edge over the House (10%). In both cases, though, a majority of partisans don’t see any difference between the two chambers’ performance.”

Bill Clinton Explains Obamacare

September 5, 2013 at 11:04 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Wonk Wire has the video of the “secretary of explaining stuff” shedding light how President Obama’s health care law actually works and what could be improved.

It’s definitely worth watching.

Haley Locked Out of Governor’s Mansion

September 5, 2013 at 9:53 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s (R) posted on Facebook that she accidentally locked herself out of the governor’s mansion while wearing just a robe.

[Read more…]

Huntsman PAC Raises Money From Three Donors

September 5, 2013 at 9:30 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Jon Huntsman “has raised $100,000 and spent half of that starting up his new political action committee,” the Salt Lake Tribune reports.

“Huntsman, who lost his 2012 presidential campaign, launched the Red Rock PAC in May to help push the ideas he raised during his bid and to help like-minded Republican candidates across the country. Huntsman previously discounted the idea that he’s ramping up for a 2016 run but setting up a PAC is common among potential candidates.”

However, the money raised came from just three donors.

Flashback Quote of the Day

September 5, 2013 at 9:24 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

“In a world in which threats are more diffuse and missions more complex,
America cannot act alone. America alone cannot secure the peace.”

— President
Obama, quoted by the AP, in his Nobel Peace Prize speech in 2009.

White House Woos Left on Syria Resolution

September 5, 2013 at 9:22 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

First Read: “Here’s the logic behind the effort: Locking down House Democratic — and liberal — votes allows the White House to go back to House Speaker John Boehner to get the remainder of available Republican votes. But the White House will have to deliver a large share of Democratic votes. And consequently, we can report that momentum is growing for President Obama to address the nation in a primetime speech. If Democrats — many of whom were elected in the aftermath of Iraq — are going to have to cast a tough vote for military intervention, they’re going to need cover from Obama.”

Roll Call: 20 lawmakers to watch on Syria.

Inside Rand Paul’s Plan to Block Intervention in Syria

September 5, 2013 at 8:44 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Robert Costa: “Paul never says it explicitly, but it’s clear from his upbeat manner how much he relishes this fight. Of course he’s troubled by the prospect of war and he’s realistic about his chances of stopping one, but he’s enthused by how the GOP is shifting away from the foreign policy of the George W. Bush era.”

“And now, after more than three years of making an often lonely case for less U.S. intervention abroad, this likely 2016 presidential contender finds himself coordinating a growing conservative rebellion — not only against the Obama administration, but also against his own party’s hawks. He’s huddling daily with conservatives in both the House and Senate and guiding them on how to battle the leadership. He also hasn’t ruled out a filibuster, though he has publicly played down the idea. One Paul confidant tells me the senator is already looking into buying comfier sneakers.”

Obamacare Premiums ‘Lower Than Expected’

September 5, 2013 at 8:29 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Wonk Wire highlights a new study which finds “lower than expected” health insurance premiums from the plans offered in the Obamacare exchanges.

Was Romney Right About Everything?

September 5, 2013 at 8:24 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

McKay Coppins: “Ten months after Mitt Romney shuffled off the national stage in defeat — consigned, many predicted, to a fate of instant irrelevance and permanent obscurity — Republicans are suddenly celebrating the presidential also-ran as a political prophet.”

“From his widely-mocked warnings about a hostile Russia, to his adamant opposition to the increasingly unpopular implementation of Obamacare, the ex-candidate’s canon of campaign rhetoric now offers cause for vindication — and remorse — to Romney’s friends, supporters, and former advisers.”

Quote of the Day

September 5, 2013 at 8:06 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

“The active public is against this. I don’t know a member of Congress whose e-mails and phone calls are in favor of this.”

— Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), in an interview with the Washington Post, on support for military strikes in Syria.

Obama Mulls Oval Office Address on Syria

September 5, 2013 at 7:54 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

President Obama “is weighing an Oval Office address to explain to the American people why a U.S. military strike in Syria is in the best interests of the nation,” The Hill reports.

Resolution to Authorize Strikes in Syria Falters

September 5, 2013 at 6:47 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

“A resolution authorizing the use of force in Syria won’t make it through the House or the Senate without significant cajoling from the White House,” Politico reports.

“That means Obama, who struggles to get Congress to follow his lead on almost everything, could burn his limited leverage convincing Democrats and Republicans to vote for an unpopular military operation that even the president says he could carry out with or without their approval.”

Mike Allen: “Sources tell us the House and maybe even the Senate would not approve the Syria military strike if the vote were held today. The support of the top leader in each chamber is doing little to overcome what a number of members call surprisingly unconvincing private briefings by the White House, State and Pentagon.”

An ABC News whip count finds 199 House members either opposed or likely to oppose the resolution. The Washington Post counts 174 likely to vote against.

What Virginia’s Election Will Tell Us About the Future

September 5, 2013 at 6:20 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

Larry Sabato: “The crystallized summary of this nearly 50-year tour through history is less an iron rule of politics than a cautionary one: Omens can be deceptive. Of the 12 examples in our table, five Virginia elections were genuinely predictive of the next year’s midterm results. Another five were misleading indicators. The remaining two (1985 and 1989) could be argued either way.”

“So take out the coin in your pocket and flip it. Your nickel is as good a bet on the future course of politics as the outcome of Virginia’s gubernatorial elections. Remember this in November when you see firm prognostications about ‘what it all means.'”

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 7522
  • 7523
  • 7524
  • 7525
  • 7526
  • …
  • 8022
  • Next Page »

Get Smarter About Politics

Members get exclusive analysis, a trending news page, the Trial Balloon podcast, bonus newsletters and no advertising. Learn more.

Subscribe

Your Account

Sign in

Latest for Members

  • Some Early Thoughts on the Midterm Elections
  • Why Is Trump Struggling in the Polls?
  • The Quiet War on Trump’s Enemies
  • We Don’t Really Know the Battlegrounds Yet
  • Weekly News Quiz

About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

Praise for Political Wire

“There are a lot of blogs and news sites claiming to understand politics, but only a few actually do. Political Wire is one of them.”

— Chuck Todd, host of “Meet the Press”

“Concise. Relevant. To the point. Political Wire is the first site I check when I’m looking for the latest political nugget. That pretty much says it all.”

— Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report

“Political Wire is one of only four or five sites that I check every day and sometimes several times a day, for the latest political news and developments.”

— Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report

“The big news, delicious tidbits, pearls of wisdom — nicely packaged, constantly updated… What political junkie could ask for more?”

— Larry Sabato, Center for Politics, University of Virginia

“Political Wire is a great, great site.”

— Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”

“Taegan Goddard has a knack for digging out political gems that too often get passed over by the mainstream press, and for delivering the latest electoral developments in a sharp, no frills style that makes his Political Wire an addictive blog habit you don’t want to kick.”

— Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post

“Political Wire is one of the absolute must-read sites in the blogosphere.”

— Glenn Reynolds, founder of Instapundit

“I rely on Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire for straight, fair political news, he gets right to the point. It’s an eagerly anticipated part of my news reading.”

— Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.

Copyright © 2025 · Goddard Media LLC | Privacy Policy | Corrections Policy

Political Wire ® is a registered trademark of Goddard Media LLC