Bullpen
Tish Durkin
Should Obama confront China on currency manipulation?
Paul Krugman and others are pushing Obama to demand that China devalue the yuan. As he prepares for his first presidential trip to Asia, here's why the president should ignore their pleas.
How long can conservatives oppose gay marriage?
In Maine this week, opponents of gay marriage won a narrow victory at the polls. But Americans are rapidly warming to the idea, and even social conservatives won't be able to hold out much longer.
Immigration: A hot-button issue on ice
Less than two years ago, illegal immigration was roiling the Republican base and fueling a divisive national debate. What happened?
The GOP dumps the Gipper
Mired in anger and vituperation, seemingly hell-bent on becoming a small-tent faction rather than a big-tent governing party, Republicans have betrayed the leader they ritually canonize. The GOP is now the party of malaise.
It's Army vs. CIA in Afghanistan
A front-page story in The New York Times reveals the U.S. Army has initiated another shock-and-awe campaign. This time, the enemy is the CIA.
A midterm message in Virginia and New Jersey
One Democratic candidate has distanced himself from his party's and his president's signature issue. Another has embraced it. Who's better off?
Prelude to Republican fratricide
GOP candidates in New York and New Jersey should be cruising to victory this November. But angry conservatives would rather hand power to Democrats than help moderate Republicans win.
Day-care sex abuse case haunts Massachusetts Senate race
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Democratic front-runner to fill Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat, didn’t prosecute the notorious Fells Acres Day Care case. But when she had a chance to help end the 'travesty,' she took the easy way out.
Obama and the GOP: 2008 debate foretold all
The last of Barack Obama's 2008 debates with John McCain previewed the kind of president he has become. It also painted a vividly distinct portrait of the current GOP.
Gen. McChrystal is a good soldier
After the politicization of military 'recommendations' by the Bush administration, Gen. McChrystal's candor is as welcome as his new strategy.
Is Obama a brute or a pushover?
Republicans keep seeing double when they look at the president. For a clearer view, they should watch less Glenn Beck and more Saturday Night Live.
Is China dangerous?
Sarah Palin was widely ridiculed for her speech in Hong Kong last month. But Chinese nationalism bubbles nonstop and the alarm Palin raised about the authoritarian regime wasn't stupid—not by a long shot.
We can afford a second stimulus
As long as unemployment remains high, and interest rates are at rock-bottom lows, the prudent thing for government to do is keep on spending. The arithmetic speaks for itself.
Afghanistan could decide this presidency
Despite the false hopes of Republicans, Obama will prevail on health care and preside over a growing economy. The fateful test is Afghanistan.
The trillion-dollar tedium of health reform
Crucial decisions are being made on health reform, with vast amounts of money and power at stake. Too bad the public won't know what's been decided until after the fact.
How cap-and-trade is like ritual self-flagellation
Climate legislation signals to the world that we repent our selfish ways and we'll now take our lumps for the team. But are we ready for a green hair shirt?
Sarah Palin's monologue with America
Palin uses one-way communication—from speeches to Twitter—to inject herself into the public sphere while removing herself from accountability.
Obama's cynical Afghan ploy
As a candidate, Barack Obama demanded that we commit ourselves to the "real war" in Afghanistan. Now that he's in office, is he about to declare "mission accomplished?"
Why hasn't Charlie Rangel stepped down?
After documented reports of his sweetheart deals, influence peddling, unreported assets, and untaxed income, Charlie Rangel is still chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Can't anyone tell him to move aside?
GOP foreign policy elite still clueless
On foreign policy, Obama is trying to undo the damage of the Bush years. Why do David Frum and other Republicans want to stop him?
