Robert Scheer : War & Peace
As Democrats choose between a stalwart critic of the Iraq War and a proponent of Bush policies for Majority Leader, Fox News gets in the act, casting centrist Pennnsylvania Rep. John Murtha as a partisan extremist. Huh?
David Sirota : Democratic Party
Steny Hoyer spouts Beltway conventional wisdom no matter what the cost to his party; Jack Murtha has the potential to help revise our national security and economic priorities. Is there really a choice here?
William Greider : Democratic Party
If Democrats take control of the House, they could revitalize national politics by convincing reluctant senators and presidential candidates to embrace a more progressive agenda.
Sam Schramski : Washington DC
The residents of the District of Columbia go to war and pay taxes, but they have never had a member of Congress to call their own. A measure has been introduced in the House that could change all that--maybe.
John Nichols : Tom DeLay
To repair the damage Tom DeLay left in his wake, the November elections must be a referendum on the political machine he created, which continues to drive this Congress.
Calvin Trillin : Lobbies/PACs
With plenty of friends on K Street, Roy Blunt is not as forthright
as his name suggests.
Ari Berman : Lobbies/PACs
The House Ethics Committee has been defunct for a year: If now is not
the time for both parties to get serious on Congressional ethics, when
will it be?
The Editors : Lobbies/PACs
Cleaning up Congress after the Abramoff scandal involves far more than limits on gifts and perks. It requires barring the 'legalized bribery' of major campaign contributions.
Nicholas von Hoffman : Senate
There ought to be a law about bribery in America, but there isn't--not a real one. Bribery is so central to our political culture that it's virtually impossible that any politician ensnared in the Abramoff scandal will actually be convicted of the corruption that makes Washington work.
Eyal Press : Senate
House Republicans rammed through a budget bill in December that cuts $40 billion from domestic programs. Is there anyone of conscience in the Senate to defeat this?
As a handful of maverick lawmakers hold unofficial hearings on an Iraq exit strategy, how long will it take Democrats and Republicans on the Hill to recognize the growing distaste for this war?
His headline-grabbing investigations are enough to give the GOP heartburn.
The sprawling intelligence-gathering apparatus that existed pre-9/11 likely will survive unscathed.
Robert L. Borosage : Democratic Party
A Democratic majority will get a few decent things done but how much Congress does depends on where the public is: Significant changes will occur only if an aroused citizenry can overcome entrenched interests and force Congress to move.
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