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It's All Politics
4:47 pm
Sat January 19, 2013

On His Campaign Promises Report Card, Obama Did 'Pretty Well'

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By editor

Originally published on Sat January 19, 2013 5:25 pm

PolitiFact has been keeping a list — a very long list — on the president's first term.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning political watchdog assesses the veracity of political claims, and this week, it released a report card on the promises Obama made during his first presidential campaign.

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Around the Nation
3:28 pm
Sat January 19, 2013

The Rev. Al Sharpton, In Six True-False Statements

Next imagePrevious image
Credit Shiho Fukada for NPR
Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of National Action Network (NAN), prepares to leave its corporate office for the WWRL radio station in New York, January 11.
Credit Shiho Fukada for NPR
Rev. Al Sharpton smiles during his radio show "Keeping It Real with Reverend Al Sharpton" in New York.
Credit Shiho Fukada for NPR
Sharpton eats his lunch, which consists of a banana, salad, and lemon tea before his radio show "Keeping It Real with Reverend Al Sharpton" in New York.
Credit Charles Wenzelberg / AP
The Rev. Al Sharpton (center) holds a news conference with other advisers in the Tawana Brawley case in the Queens borough of New York in 1988.
Credit Joe Major / AP
A crowd of mourners gathers outside St. Anthony's Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 27, 1991 as the casket carrying the body of Gavin Cato passes by.
Credit Shiho Fukada for NPR
Sharpton hosts his show PoliticsNation, at the MSNBC studios in New York.
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Originally published on Tue January 22, 2013 9:19 am

Editor's note: NPR's Corey Dade recently traveled to New York to interview the Rev. Al Sharpton about the unusual arc of his checkered career, from pugnacious street fighter for racial justice to savvy insider with ties to CEOs, a successful television show and the the ear of a soon-to-be second-term president.

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The Picture Show
4:31 am
Sat January 19, 2013

Presidential Access: Unguarded Moments, Captured On Film

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Credit Byron H. Rollins/AP / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Truman, wearing a shirt that reads "Coach Truman, Athletic Department," leads exercises on the deck of the USS Missouri on his return trip to Washington from Brazil, 1947.
Credit James B. Mahan/International News Photos / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Dwight D. Eisenhower and first lady Mamie Eisenhower eat hot dogs while watching the Army-Colgate football game in West Point, N.Y., in 1957.
Credit Underwood & Underwood / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Warren G. Harding speaks with Marie Curie at the White House. Before posing for photos outside, there was a ceremony in the East Room, but there wasn't enough light for the photographers.
Credit Maurice Johnson/International News Photos / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Eisenhower and former President Herbert Hoover cook steaks on a grill in Fraser, Colo., 1954.
Credit Arthur E. Scott/Reni News Photos / Courtesy of WHNPA
Television cowboy and roping legend Montie Montana lassoes President Eisenhower in the presidential reviewing box at the inaugural parade, 1953.
Credit Bruce Hoertel/The New York Times / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Harry S. Truman tries out a speed graphic camera given to him by members of the WHNPA during a meeting at the White House Rose Garden, 1948.
Credit Byron H. Rollins/AP / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Truman, wearing a shirt that reads "Coach Truman, Athletic Department," leads exercises on the deck of the USS Missouri on his return trip to Washington from Brazil, 1947.
Credit Stanley Tretick/United Press International Newspictures / Courtesy of WHNPA
During the 1960 campaign, John F. Kennedy catches a bunch of bananas thrown to him by an admirer.
Credit Arnie Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures / Courtesy of WHNPA
A young Bill Clinton meets President John F. Kennedy in the Rose Garden on July 26, 1963. Clinton, who was 16 years old at the time, was part of the Arkansas delegation to the American Legion Boys Nation.
Credit Charles Del Vecchio/Washington Post & Times Herald / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Kennedy has a breakfast conference with his daughter, Caroline, in the residence area of the White House in 1961.
Credit Roddey E. Mims/United Press International / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Nixon stands on a car as he campaigns in 1960.
Credit Chick Harrity/AP / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Gerald Ford leaves his Alexandria, Va., home to go to work at the White House the day after he was sworn in. The Nixons' personal belongings had not yet been moved out of the White House living quarters.
Credit Bob Daugherty/AP / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Carter leans across the roof of his car to shake hands along the parade route on his way to a town meeting in Bardstown, Ky., 1979.
Credit Bob Daugherty/AP / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Reagan stands behind a headless Terra Cotta Warrior as first lady Nancy Reagan looks on during a visit to the ancient historic underground army archaeological find near Xian, China, 1984.
Credit Stephen Jaffe, AFP Newspictures / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Clinton and South African President Nelson Mandela peer out of the window of Mandela's former cell on Robben Island outside Cape Town, 1998. Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years as a political prisoner in this cell.
Credit Luke Frazza/Agence France Press / Courtesy of WHNPA
President George W. Bush kisses a soldier as he greets U.S. military personnel at As-Sayliyah base near Doha, Qatar, 2003.
Credit Chuck Kennedy/McClatchy Tribune / Courtesy of WHNPA
President Barack Obama takes the oath at his 2009 inauguration, with first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, by his side.
Credit Courtesy of WHNPA
Photographers gather at the White House in 1918.
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By Marie McGrory

Every four years, we elect a president. And every term, the president is joined in the White House by his Cabinet and staff — and followed by a press pool intent on documenting the presidency. For those photographers, portraying the true personality and actions of a leader so protected can be difficult.

In 1921, a group was formed to help make access easier. The White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA) was started by 17 camera and motion-picture photographers who covered the daily activities of the White House.

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The Salt
3:53 am
Sat January 19, 2013

Inaugural Balls Where Food Isn't An Afterthought

Credit J. David Ake / AP
Guests arrive for the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball in Washington back in 2005 to celebrate President Bush's second term.
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By April Fulton

Like everyone else in Washington, D.C., right now, we're gearing up for the long inaugural weekend, bracing ourselves for various events and balls around town that can be thrilling, patriotic, touristy and traffic-jamming, all at the same time.

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It's All Politics
3:53 am
Sat January 19, 2013

Inaugural Hijinks: 10 Odd Photos From Ceremonies Past

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Credit Scott Stewart / AP
Credit AP
Four years later, Eisenhower (far right) "doffed his homburg and bowed" to Miss Burma, the Republican elephant mascot from Ohio.
Credit J. Scott Applewhite / AP
What's so odd about President Bush giving the "Hook 'em, 'horns" salute of the University of Texas Longhorns during the inaugural parade in 2005? Nothing, unless you were in Norway, where people thought his gesture was a salute to Satan.
Credit AP
In 1961, when President John F. Kennedy was inaugurated, dogs were again part of the show. This time, Alaskan huskies pulled the State of Maine float along Constitution Ave.
Credit AP
That's right. During Dwight Eisenhower's inaugural parade in 1953, the president was lassoed by cowboy Monte Montana.
Credit Scott Stewart / AP
It was an "oops!" moment for first lady Nancy Reagan in 1985 when she forgot to introduce President Ronald Reagan during an inaugural event. It was too cold for an outdoor parade that year, so instead participants were invited to the Capital Center in Landover, Md.
Credit Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images
Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel makes a face before President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. The person behind him does not look amused.
Credit Robert F. Bukaty / AP
A topless protester braved the Washington, D.C., winter in 2001 during President George W. Bush's inaugural parade.
Credit Washington Star / AP
Maybe in color this image of fireworks in front of the Washington Monument would be fun and festive instead of kind of eerie? As you can probably tell, this display honored the inauguration of President Harry Truman in 1949.
Credit AP
In a less choreographed moment that same year, Vice President Richard Nixon laughed as a stray dog joined the parade.
Credit AP
Credit AP
Credit AP
Credit AP
Credit Marion S. Trikosko / U.S. News & World Report/Library of Congress
Credit Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Credit J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Credit Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images
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By Erica Ryan

The presidential inauguration is a solemn and important occasion, of course, steeped in history and pomp. But it's also a time for parades and balls — and, sometimes, a bit of tomfoolery. As we prepare for President Obama's second inauguration on Monday, a look back at a few funny and unusual moments:

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It's All Politics
3:52 am
Sat January 19, 2013

From The Archives: Inaugural Firsts, Ball Gowns And JFK

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Credit AP
President John F. Kennedy delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office on Jan. 20, 1961.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1801: Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. His horseback ride from the Capitol to the president's house after his second inauguration set the example for future inaugural parades.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1841: William H. Harrison, the first president to arrive in Washington by train, delivered the longest inaugural address in history. He delivered a 90-minute speech in a snowstorm. The 68-year-old died from pneumonia about a month later.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Following Harrison's death on April 4, 1841, John Tyler was the first vice president to assume the presidency by succession.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1845: James Polk's inauguration was the first to be covered by telegraph.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1857: James Buchanan's inauguration was the first known to be photographed.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1865: African-Americans were allowed to participate for the first time during Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration parade.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1897: William McKinley's inauguration was the first to be captured by a movie camera.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 5, 1909: After Howard Taft's inauguration, the first lady accompanied the president in the inaugural procession for the first time.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 5, 1917: Women participated in the inaugural parade for the first time after Woodrow Wilson's second inauguration.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1925: Calvin Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast nationally by radio.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1929: Herbert Hoover's inauguration was the first to be recorded by a talking newsreel.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration in 1937 was the first to take place on Jan. 20. First inaugurated in 1933 and serving four terms through 1945, Roosevelt was the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1949: Harry S. Truman's inauguration was the first to be televised.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1961: John F. Kennedy's inauguration had many firsts: a poet (Robert Frost) participated in the ceremonies, a Catholic Bible was used for the oath, and the parade was televised in color.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Following Kennedy's assassination on Nov. 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to be sworn in on an airplane. And it was the first time in history that the oath of office was administered by a woman, U.S. District Judge Sarah T. Hughes.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Following the resignation of Richard Nixon on Aug. 9, 1974, Gerald Ford became the fifth vice president to assume the presidency by succession, and the first U.S. president never to have won a national election.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1977: Jimmy Carter was the first president to walk from the Capitol to the White House with his family following his inauguration.
Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Jan. 20, 2009: Barack Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president and the first African-American to be elected to the office.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Polk's was also the first known inauguration to be depicted by newspaper illustration.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1997: Bill Clinton's second inauguration was the first to be broadcast live over the Internet.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 3, 1877: Rutherford B. Hayes was the first president to take the oath of office at the White House.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
April 30, 1789: George Washington was inaugurated in New York City as the first U.S. president. He set various precedents, including the use of a Bible for the oath, the use of the phrase "so help me God" and the tradition of an inaugural address. During his second inauguration in Philadelphia on March 4, 1793, Washington gave the shortest address in history, consisting of a mere 135 words.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1801: Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. His horseback ride from the Capitol to the president's house after his second inauguration set the example for future inaugural parades.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1841: William H. Harrison, the first president to arrive in Washington by train, delivered the longest inaugural address in history. He delivered a 90-minute speech in a snowstorm. The 68-year-old died from pneumonia about a month later.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Following Harrison's death on April 4, 1841, John Tyler was the first vice president to assume the presidency by succession.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1845: James Polk's inauguration was the first to be covered by telegraph.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Polk's was also the first known inauguration to be depicted by newspaper illustration.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1857: James Buchanan's inauguration was the first known to be photographed.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1865: African-Americans were allowed to participate for the first time during Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration parade.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 3, 1877: Rutherford B. Hayes was the first president to take the oath of office at the White House.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1897: William McKinley's inauguration was the first to be captured by a movie camera.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 5, 1909: After Howard Taft's inauguration, the first lady accompanied the president in the inaugural procession for the first time.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 5, 1917: Women participated in the inaugural parade for the first time after Woodrow Wilson's second inauguration.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1925: Calvin Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast nationally by radio.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1929: Herbert Hoover's inauguration was the first to be recorded by a talking newsreel.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration in 1937 was the first to take place on Jan. 20. First inaugurated in 1933 and serving four terms through 1945, Roosevelt was the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1949: Harry S. Truman's inauguration was the first to be televised.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1961: John F. Kennedy's inauguration had many firsts: a poet (Robert Frost) participated in the ceremonies, a Catholic Bible was used for the oath, and the parade was televised in color.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Following Kennedy's assassination on Nov. 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to be sworn in on an airplane. And it was the first time in history that the oath of office was administered by a woman, U.S. District Judge Sarah T. Hughes.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Following the resignation of Richard Nixon on Aug. 9, 1974, Gerald Ford became the fifth vice president to assume the presidency by succession, and the first U.S. president never to have won a national election.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1977: Jimmy Carter was the first president to walk from the Capitol to the White House with his family following his inauguration.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1997: Bill Clinton's second inauguration was the first to be broadcast live over the Internet.
Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Jan. 20, 2009: Barack Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president and the first African-American to be elected to the office.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
April 30, 1789: George Washington was inaugurated in New York City as the first U.S. president. He set various precedents, including the use of a Bible for the oath, the use of the phrase "so help me God," and the tradition of an inaugural address. During his second inauguration, in Philadelphia on March 4, 1793, Washington gave the shortest address in history, consisting of a mere 135 words.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 4, 1801: Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. His horseback ride from the Capitol to the president's house after his second inauguration set the example for future inaugural parades.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 4, 1841: William H. Harrison, the first president to arrive in Washington by train, delivered the longest inaugural address in history. He delivered a 90-minute speech in a snowstorm. The 68-year-old died from pneumonia about a month later.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Following Harrison's death on April 4, 1841, John Tyler was the first vice president to assume the presidency by succession.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 4, 1845: James Polk's inauguration was the first to be covered by telegraph.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Polk's was also the first known inauguration to be depicted by newspaper illustration.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 4, 1857: James Buchanan's inauguration was the first known to be photographed.
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
March 4, 1865: African-Americans were allowed to participate for the first time during Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration parade.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 3, 1877: Rutherford B. Hayes was the first president to take the oath of office at the White House.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 4, 1897: William McKinley's inauguration was the first to be captured by a movie camera.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 5, 1909: After William Howard Taft's inauguration, the first lady accompanied the president in the inaugural procession for the first time.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 5, 1917: Women participated in the inaugural parade for the first time, after Woodrow Wilson's second inauguration.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 4, 1925: Calvin Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast nationally by radio.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
March 4, 1929: Herbert Hoover's inauguration was the first to be recorded by a talking newsreel.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration in 1937 was the first to take place on Jan. 20. First inaugurated in 1933 and serving four terms through 1945, Roosevelt was the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1949: Harry S. Truman's inauguration was the first to be televised.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1961: John F. Kennedy's inauguration had many firsts: a poet (Robert Frost) participated in the ceremonies, a Catholic Bible was used for the oath, and the parade was televised in color.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Following Kennedy's assassination on Nov. 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to be sworn in on an airplane. And it was the first time in history that the oath of office was administered by a woman, U.S. District Judge Sarah T. Hughes.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Following the resignation of Richard Nixon on Aug. 9, 1974, Gerald Ford, who had been appointed vice president, became the first U.S. president never to have won a national election.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1977: Jimmy Carter was the first president to walk from the Capitol to the White House with his family after his inauguration.
Credit Courtesy of Library of Congress
Jan. 20, 1997: Bill Clinton's second inauguration was the first to be broadcast live over the Internet.
Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Jan. 20, 2009: Barack Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president and the first African-American to be elected to the office.
Credit Courtesy of National Archives
The first printed copy of the draft Constitution, Aug. 6, 1787, annotated by George Washington and others. (Click for full page.)
Credit Courtesy Library of Congress
April 30, 1789: George Washington was inaugurated in New York City as the first U.S. president. He set various precedents, including the use of a Bible for the oath, the use of the phrase "so help me God" and the tradition of an inaugural address. During his second inauguration in Philadelphia on March 4, 1793, Washington gave the shortest address in history, consisting of a mere 135 words.
Credit Charles Dharapak / AP
President Obama dances with first lady Michelle Obama on the night of his first inauguration, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington.
Credit Hugh Talman / Courtesy of National Museum of American History
The inaugural ensemble of Grover Cleveland's wife, Frances, a fashion icon during the late 1800s who was considered the Jackie Kennedy of her day.
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By Erica Ryan

As we prepare for President Obama's second inauguration on Monday, we've been looking back through our coverage of inaugurations past. (And it's reminded us that a lot has changed, even from just four years ago.) Along the way, we ran across a few memorable features that we thought worth revisiting.

Inaugural Firsts

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It's All Politics
3:38 am
Sat January 19, 2013

A Gun Owner From The Left, Sen. Leahy Leads The Debate

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., voted to allow guns in national parks and on Amtrak trains, but rejects suggestions that he'll slow-walk gun control efforts through Congress.
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Originally published on Sat January 19, 2013 5:13 am

President Obama says he's willing to use "whatever power his office holds" to stop gun violence, but the fate of many of his White House proposals will rest in no small part with one man: the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Politics
3:38 am
Sat January 19, 2013

Is A Fresh Start In Washington Possible?

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By editor

Originally published on Sat January 19, 2013 5:13 am

Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Mara Liasson about whether the Obama administration and Congressional Republicans can find some common ground and overcome the political gridlock that characterized much of the president's first term.

Politics
3:38 am
Sat January 19, 2013

House GOP Backs Off Debt Ceiling Demands

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Originally published on Sat January 19, 2013 5:13 am

House Republicans held their annual retreat this week in Williamsburg, Va., to figure out their next steps. They dropped a demand to have spending cuts for ever dollar the debt ceiling is raised, at least for the next three months. GOP lawmakers are now pinning their hopes for deficit reduction on other looming budget battles.

Politics
3:38 am
Sat January 19, 2013

Trend In Second Inaugural Addresses: They're Not Very Good

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By editor

Originally published on Sat January 19, 2013 5:13 am

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

On Monday, President Obama will join a select group of presidents who have delivered a second inaugural address...

(APPLAUSE)

(SOUNDBITES OF INAUGURAL ADDRESSES)

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: My fellow citizens...

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: Members of the United States Congress.

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: Members of my family and friends.

PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER: We meet again, as upon a like moment four years ago.

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It's All Politics
1:40 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

Speechwriters: After Bland First Inaugural, Second Is Tougher For Obama

Credit Ron Edmonds / AP
President Obama gives his first inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2009.
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Originally published on Fri January 18, 2013 3:09 pm

A presidential inauguration is an event defined by huge, sweeping optics: the National Mall full of cheering Americans; a grandiose platform in front of the Capitol building; the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. And the centerpiece: a speech.

On Monday, President Obama will give his second inaugural address — and he faces a challenge in crafting a speech for this moment.

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The Two-Way
1:34 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

Republicans Offer Three-Month Increase In Debt Ceiling

Credit Kevin Dietsch / UPI /Landov
As workers prepare the Capitol for Monday's inaugural ceremony, there's word that Congress might not get into another battle over the debt ceiling.
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In a move that could head off another bruising battle over increasing the nation's debt ceiling, GOP leaders in the House plan to approve a three-month increase in the nation's borrowing authority next week, NPR's S.V. Date reports.

But, he tells our Newscast Desk, Republicans want to tie a longer-term increase to the passage of a budget that cuts spending.

His report continues:

"The plan comes from Majority Leader Eric Cantor as House Republicans wrap up a retreat in Southern Virginia.

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The Two-Way
1:06 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

Grand Jury Indicts Ray Nagin On Corruption Charges

Credit Chris Graythen / Getty Images
Mayor Ray Nagin has been indicted on 21 corruption charges by a federal grand jury. They include "conspiracy to deprive citizens of honest services."
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Former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin has been indicted on 21 counts of bribery and other corruption charges by a federal grand jury. When he became the city's mayor in 2002, Nagin, a former cable TV executive, promised to revive New Orleans' economy, and its trust in the city's government.

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History
1:00 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

Don't Know Much About Inaugurations?

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By editor

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

We are hoping your best dress is ready and your tux is pressed because President Barack Obama will be sworn in for a second term on Monday. But even if you don't plan to attend any of the events, you can dress up and watch at home.

And here to get us ready is Kenneth C. Davis. He is the author of the best-selling "'Don't Know Much About" series of books. His latest is "Don't Know Much About the American Presidents." And he's with us now.

Welcome and Happy New Year to you.

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It's All Politics
10:59 am
Fri January 18, 2013

Inauguration Mashup: The Speech In 11 Easy Steps

Credit NPR
An 11-step guide to the perfect inauguration speech
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By editor

Originally published on Sat January 19, 2013 4:29 am

May the eagles of democracy soar above the covenant that binds our great nation in an era of new beginning ... or something.

Have you ever watched an inaugural address and wondered: How DO those guys (because they're always guys) do it? Well, we've prepared this handy guide so you, too, can give a speech like the chief executive.

Our instructions are based on a century of recorded footage. William McKinley's address was the first to be recorded by a "motion picture camera" (in 1897). Calvin Coolidge was the first to be broadcast over the radio (in 1925).

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It's All Politics
8:25 am
Fri January 18, 2013

Banning Assault Weapons Now 'Much More Difficult' Than '94, Aides Say

Credit Marcy Nighswander / AP
President Clinton speaks to a member of the House on Aug. 11, 1994, lobbying for votes for the crime bill.
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Originally published on Tue January 29, 2013 6:36 am

President Obama's proposed renewal of a ban on assault-style weapons is expected to be based on the legislation approved by Congress in 1994 that expired 10 years later.

But when the first assault weapons ban was approved — outlawing 19 specific weapons — it was a very different time, and Congress was a very different place.

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'It's All Politics': NPR's Weekly News Roundup
7:00 am
Fri January 18, 2013

It's All Politics, Jan. 17, 2013

Credit Zhang Jun / Xinhua /Landov
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By editor
  • Listen to the Roundup

President Obama lays down his marker on guns and exhorts Congress to act. But the House has no intention of voting to ban assault weapons, and rural Democrats in the Senate remain skittish. Meanwhile, Chuck Hagel gets some important backers in his bid to join the cabinet, and Mark Sanford hopes all is forgiven as he tries to return to Congress. But if he deserves a second chance, then so do NPR's Ken Rudin and Ron Elving.

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Politics
4:41 am
Fri January 18, 2013

Is Obama's Second-Term Agenda Lacking Issues?

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Originally published on Fri January 18, 2013 7:11 am

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And I'm David Greene. Good morning. President Obama is set to take the oath of office for a second time. He has promised an ambitious agenda for the next four years. NPR's Mara Liasson tackles the question of whether it's ambitious enough.

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It's All Politics
1:32 am
Fri January 18, 2013

Latino Voters Urge Obama To Keep Immigration Promise

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Originally published on Fri January 18, 2013 7:35 am

Latino voters were a key to President Obama's victory in November, turning out in big numbers and supporting Obama by more than 2 to 1 over Republican Mitt Romney.

Now, many of those voters say it's time for Obama to do something he did not do in his first term: push hard for and sign a comprehensive immigration overhaul.

Let's start with a group of Latinos — young and old, some U.S. citizens, some not — heading from Florida to Washington, D.C., for Obama's inauguration and for meetings with members of Congress. As caravans go, it's a small one: 13 people in two vans.

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It's All Politics
3:40 pm
Thu January 17, 2013

Some House Republicans Deny Risk Of Default In Debt Ceiling Debate

Credit John Hanna / AP
Republican Rep. Tim Huelskamp, shown in June 2012, says the U.S. won't default unless the president chooses to let it happen.
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Originally published on Thu January 17, 2013 4:10 pm

The federal government hit its debt limit at the end of last year. Since then, the Treasury Department has been taking what it calls "extraordinary measures" to keep the government funded and avoid defaulting on U.S. obligations.

But those measures will run out sometime between the middle of February and early March. Then it's up to Congress to raise the debt limit.

House Republicans are wrestling with the best strategy at a retreat Thursday and Friday in Virginia. And some have been denying that there is a risk of default if the debt ceiling isn't raised.

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Politics
2:57 pm
Thu January 17, 2013

House Republican Retreat Focuses On Strategies For Rebuilding

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Originally published on Thu January 17, 2013 4:10 pm

House Republicans have left Washington, D.C., and reconvened three hours south, just outside Williamsburg, Va., for a closed-door retreat. They've heard from pollsters about why the public doesn't like them. Now they'll hear from consultants about how to woo women and minorities. David Welna talks to Audie Cornish.

Politics
2:57 pm
Thu January 17, 2013

Conflict Still Plagues Washington On Obama's Second Inauguration

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Originally published on Thu January 17, 2013 4:10 pm

President Obama begins his second term much the way he ended his first — locked in a fiscal fight with congressional Republicans. But the president's argument that the November election would break the logjam hasn't panned out just yet.

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