Novelist John Grisham could hardly spin a more provocative fiction: The president and his surrogates mount an aggressive campaign to intimidate the chief justice of the United States, implying ruin and ridicule should he fail to vote in a pivotal case according to the ruling political party’s wishes. Read full article > >

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The public trial of Justice Roberts

World leaders are meeting this week to mull over whether to pursue economic growth or austerity , and Republicans and Democrats in Washington are in the midst of the same debate. But when it comes to funding itself, Congress appears to favor a third option: the status quo. Read full article > >

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As Congress funds itself, winners and losers emerge

REAUTHORIZING THE Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a critical task that merits thoughtful attention. It’s distressing — even sickening — that debate about this landmark law has devolved into one more election-year grudge match between Democrats and Republicans shamelessly using gender to try to score political points. Read full article > >

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Editorial Board: Gender politics in Congress

In a blow to Democrats hoping to unseat Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in a June 5 recall election, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has endorsed the Republican governor over Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D). Read full article > >

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorses Scott Walker

Conservative interest groups have dumped well over $20 million into congressional races so far this year, outspending their liberal opponents 4 to 1 and setting off a growing panic among Democrats struggling to regain the House and hold on to their slim majority in the Senate. More from PostPolitics : – Joe Ricketts, a wealthy donor, getting attention in presidential contest – Opinion: Want to end partisan politics? Here’s how – Track spending on TV ads Read full article > >

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Conservative groups outspending liberal counterparts 4 to 1 on congressional races

The Republican bill differs from the Senate’s version in protections for many battered women, including lesbians, American Indians and illegal immigrants, Democrats say.

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House Passes Domestic Violence Bill

GOP says Democrats trying to play politics.

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Colorado Civil Union Bill Killed

In 1994, Republicans had the “ Contract With America .” In 2006, Democrats touted their “ Six for ’06 ” plan. And in 2010, the GOP unveiled a “ Pledge to America .” The last three times control of the House has changed hands, the winning party has run on some form of public, cohesive agenda that could be embraced by incumbents and challengers alike. But as House Democrats mount an uphill climb to recapture the chamber this November, it’s not clear whether they plan to follow that model. Read full article > >

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House Democrats have a goal for 2012 elections, but do they need an agenda?

James Carville says Democrats who think they can score an easy victory this year are fooling themselves

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Carville: Wake up Dems, you could lose

Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the bill because they opposed the Democrats’ approach to paying for the program, which reduces some student loan interest rates.

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Senate Republicans Block Bill on Student Loan Rates

The pro-business Free Democrats, also known as the F.D.P., have failed to even reach the 5 percent threshold for representation in five out of the last six state elections.

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German Party, Partner to Merkel, Faces Electoral Test

When Indiana Republicans go to the polls on Tuesday, they will do more than choose a candidate for the Senate. They will choose between party and country. That’s a stark assessment but true. On one side is a man who has made it his life’s work to build a cross-aisle consensus for keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists and rogue states. On the other side is a man who mocks his opponent for such efforts and who talks more about fighting Democrats than fighting America’s enemies. Read full article > >

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Taking out Dick Lugar

A candidate who stood in an Edinburgh seat under the name Professor Pongoo won more first preference votes than the Liberal Democrats.

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VIDEO: ‘Penguin’ beats Lib Dem in election

A candidate who stood in an Edinburgh seat under the name Professor Pongoo won more first preference votes than the Liberal Democrats.

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VIDEO: ‘Penguin’ beats Lib Dem in election

LONDON — Britain’s ruling coalition sustained punishing loses in local elections , with near-final results released Friday showing both the Conservatives and their partner Liberal Democrats giving up hundreds of seats in a stinging rebuke of the two-year-old government of Prime Minister David Cameron. Read full article > >

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British voters deal coalition rebuke in local elections