Politics

On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office for the second time. The setting itself reflected how much had changed in the past four years. When Lincoln delivered his first inaugural address, the new Capitol dome, which replaced the original wooden one, was only half complete. Now the Statue of Freedom crowned…

Dear Congressmen-elect, You don’t know me. I don’t live in either of your districts, but — as an American, a Republican and a black man — I think we have enough common interests for you to lend me an ear for a few minutes. I know that there has been a lot of talk about…

Today President Barack Obama said recent reports that he’s about to cave in to Republican tax-cut demands are incorrect. Either Huffington Post got it wrong or he really needs to rein in David Axelrod. In any case, perhaps liberals can breathe a rare sigh of relief. President Barack Obama declared Friday that his “number one…

The bipartisan co-chairs of a presidential commission that was convened to cut the budget deficit recommended  on Wednesday raising the Social Security retirement age to 68 by 2050 and 69 by 2075. Certain physically taxing jobs would be given a “hardship exception,” according to the commission’s report, but if Congress enacts the retirement extensions, the…

On Jan. 1, 1863, Lincoln presided at the annual White House New Year’s reception. Later that afternoon, he retired to his study to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. The first time he attempted to affix his signature, he stopped and laid down his pen. His hand was shaking, not from nervousness, but because of exhaustion. “I…

Allen West, newly elected congressman from Florida, might be a Tea Party-backed, outspoken conservative, but now he’s one on the national stage. It seems he’s learning that this comes with some limitations. Someone must have finally told him that it’s a terrible idea to make his friend — conservative talk-show host Joyce Kaufman — his…

Watching the midterm elections last week was like eating dog food. Having to listen to newly elected congressman Rand Paul declare, “There are no rich, there are no middle class, there are no poor,” made me want to throw up all over my health-insurance bills. Florida’s Marco Rubio stole all of President Barack Obama’s youthful…

As he ponders the “shellacking” the Democratic Party took in last Tuesday’s elections, President Obama should begin the second half of his term by overcoming his aversion to dealing with the bad things of the past. Remember, he rejected calls for investigations into possible wrongdoing by Bush administration officials, insisting that, instead, he preferred to…

First Lady Michelle Obama surprised a group of U.S. servicemen and women based in Germany on Thursday, helping to serve them steaks at a special Veterans Day meal. The first lady spent time with some 200 troops during a refueling stopover on the way home from her tour of Asia with President Barack Obama. After…

In his first news conference after his midterm losses, President Obama reminded his audience that the important battle for the U.S. is remaining on top of global competition. If he’s looking for a model, he need look no further than Spelman College in Atlanta — the private, independent, historically black school for women — and…