Washington (CNN) – President Obama, one might argue, is someone we've gotten to know over the past two years. At first, he was Zelig incarnate, seemingly everywhere, all the time. That's calmed down a bit, but by now his nature is clear: a deep temperamental caution, served with a side order of prudence.
And that probably shouldn't be a complete surprise. After all, we signed a complex contract when we elected Obama the candidate: One part "Cool Hand Luke," the other, an audacious character full of the promise of transformation. We wanted the best of both worlds - a president without the bravado of a Bush, but with the smarts and ambition of a Clinton.
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(CNN) - Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty may be closer to making a decision on a presidential run than previously thought.
A source close to Pawlenty said he will form an exploratory committee in two to three weeks, significantly sooner than most political observers expected.
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Washington (CNN) - Well, we said we wanted budget cutters, so that's what we have.
In fact, it's a downright frenzy of fiscal rectitude in Washington. You've heard it all: Every cut matters. No cut is too small. Nothing is off limits, even the unkindest cuts of all. After all, the problem is just too large to put off any longer.
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Editor's note: Gloria Borger is a senior political analyst for CNN, appearing regularly on CNN's "The Situation Room," "AC360°," "John King, USA" and "State of the Union."
Washington (CNN) - So Republicans are now in charge in the House, and they're having some growing pains. It seems that their new flock is filled with independent sorts who may listen to their leaders, but still go their own way.
A revolt over a vote to retrieve some money from the United Nations? You bet. A refusal to approve an extension of George W. Bush's Patriot Act (acting in cahoots with Democrats, no less)? Yep. And, behind closed doors, arguments for more budget cuts than the leaders think is prudent, or doable. Who do these new guys think they are, anyway?
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Washington (CNN) – Watching the administration try to find the right balance in its response to the crisis in Egypt is like seeing the public face of the foreign policy establishment change before our very eyes:
First, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declares that Hosni Mubarak's regime is stable.
Next, Vice President Joe Biden declares that Mubarak's Egypt needs reform but that he is not a dictator.
Washington (CNN) - It's easy to see why any politician would want to avoid making huge promises on the deficit. After all, it's out of control, unpredictable and chances are you'll fail anyway.
That's because any pollster will tell you that while people always say they want the deficit fixed, they never believe they're part of the problem. So they won't hear of reducing Medicare and Social Security, which amount to nearly a third of the domestic budget. That kinda rules out any serious discussion.
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Editor's note: Gloria Borger is a senior political analyst for CNN, appearing regularly on CNN's "The Situation Room," "AC360°," "John King, USA" and "State of the Union."
Washington (CNN) - OK, you've got Palin fatigue. Not to worry. So does much of the country: The latest CNN poll shows that 56 percent of Americans view her unfavorably.
More damaging, though, is this: Sarah Palin's unfavorable rating among women has gone up 10 points. And 59 percent of those all-important independent voters don't like her - and that's up a stunning 14 points in just a few months.
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Editor's note: Gloria Borger is a senior political analyst for CNN, appearing regularly on CNN's "The Situation Room," "AC360°," "John King, USA" and "State of the Union."
Washington (CNN) - It is probably some form of poetic justice that, in reacting to the attempted murder of a congresswoman and the murder of a judge, some of the political discourse has devolved into an unhelpful and unenlightening argument that goes something like this: It's your fault; no, it's your fault.
Let's just stipulate a few things: The gunman is unhinged. We're not sure of his political or cultural beliefs, if he has any floating around a very warped mind. To ascribe a political motive to this shooter right now is impossible.
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(CNN) - Everyone seems to have an opinion about whether big men should cry, given Speaker-elect John Boehner's soggy "60 Minutes" on Sunday. Just for the record: fine by me, no big deal, even a good thing.
Now that that's out of the way, there is one exchange that actually matters way more than a few tears: Boehner's refusal to let the word "compromise" pass between his lips.
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Washington (CNN) - Despite the fact that the deficit commission did not reach its goal of a supermajority to get its proposals to the floor of the congress, two of its members say their work should now serve as the blueprint for deficit reduction in the future.
In addition, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota) told CNN that he believes there needs to be a "budget summit" in the near future-with representatives from both sides of the aisle, the White House and the budget office. "It's essential,' he says, adding that near-term decisions on raising the debt limit and cutting spending have to be made with the commission recommendations in mind.
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