Mara Liasson

Surveillance Revelations Spark Lackluster Public Discord

Mara Liasson — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:01:00 +0000

When a former IT contractor at the National Security Agency gave The Guardian U.S. government surveillance information, he told the paper that his only motivation was to spark a public debate about government surveillance.

"This is something that's not our place to decide," Edward Snowden said.

With Texas Trip, Obama Tries To Steer Focus Back To Economy

Mara Liasson — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:27:00 +0000

President Obama turns his attention back to his economic agenda Thursday when he travels to Austin, Texas, where he will visit a technology high school and a company that makes the machines that make silicon chips.

The White House says the trip is part of Obama's Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour. It also appears to be an effort by the president to get back to the issues Americans care most about.

It has been a difficult spring for Obama. He couldn't get Congress to work with him to stop the automatic spending cuts of the sequester or to enact wider background checks for gun sales.

White House Undecided On Action For Syria Crossing 'Red Line'

Mara Liasson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:16:00 +0000

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

And I'm Audie Cornish. Has the so-called red line been crossed in Syria? Today, the Obama administration said it believes the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons and, as President Obama has said in the past, that is a red line that would trigger serious consequences.

Immigration Proves A 'Rubik's Cube' For Many Republicans

Mara Liasson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:37:00 +0000

While an immigration overhaul has drawn support from church groups, business, labor and even former opponents, there's still deep opposition — mostly centered in the Republican Party.

The last time a president tried to pass a comprehensive immigration overhaul was in 2007, and George W. Bush's fellow Republicans in Congress killed his bill.

Proposition 8 Case Has High Political Stakes For Both Parties

Mara Liasson — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:56:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

We'll learn what the court decides to do about DOMA and California's Proposition 8 sometime this summer. Its options vary widely. But no matter what the result, there will be political implications.

NPR national political correspondent Mara Liasson joins us to walk through some of them.

And, Mara, first, let's talk briefly about this really sea change in public opinion now in favor of same-sex marriage. Could the court reverse that tide in any way?

MARA LIASSON, BYLINE: No, the court cannot reverse that tide.

RNC Report Calls For Community Outreach, Revamped Primary Rules

Mara Liasson — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:43:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And the Republican Party has issued a blistering assessment of why it lost the 2012 election. The Republican National Committee Growth and Opportunity Project told the party that if it wants to win national elections in the future, it needs to change the way it communicates with voters and runs its campaigns.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

MARA LIASSON, BYLINE: The GOP's election autopsy was brutal. Focus groups describe the party as narrow minded and out of touch, filled with stuffy old men who favor the rich.

It's Still Early, But GOP Hopefuls Test The Waters For 2016

Mara Liasson — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:56:00 +0000

During the annual Conservative Political Action Conference that begins Thursday, a slew of men who appear to want to try their hand at leading the GOP back to the White House in 2016 will be speaking, though not every potential presidential candidate was invited.

Yes, it's four years away, but that hasn't stopped Republican hopefuls from testing the waters.

Republicans Face Off Over Strategy For Picking Candidates

Mara Liasson — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:06:00 +0000

Republicans have a steep hill to climb if they want to take control of the Senate next year. The GOP would need to pick up six seats in 2014.

There are plenty of open seats and vulnerable Democrats up for re-election, but Republicans are debating the best way to win.

Last year's Senate results were disappointing for the GOP: The party ended up losing a number of seats it thought were winnable — and now it's trying to figure out what to do differently next year.

Karl Rove and the big donors behind his Crossroads superPAC have one idea.

One Strategy For A GOP Overhaul? Follow The Democrats' Example

Mara Liasson — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:19:00 +0000

These are difficult times for the Republican Party.

Automatic Budget Cuts Near As Democrats, GOP Stand Firm

Mara Liasson — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:35:00 +0000

It looks like the across the board spending cuts that were never supposed to happen are going to — at least for a while. It's another sign of Washington's dysfunction.

Obama Speech To Set Second Term's Tone

Mara Liasson — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Transcript

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Linda Wertheimer.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renée Montagne. President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address tonight, to a joint session of Congress. The president will announce that the U.S. is withdrawing 34,000 troops from Afghanistan within a year. But as always, much of the speech will address domestic issues.

Public Pressure, Background Checks Central To Obama Gun Control Strategy

Mara Liasson — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 10:07:00 +0000

Gun control historically has been one of the most divisive issues in Congress, between the parties and even inside the Democratic coalition. Yet some in President Obama's own party say he has put together a gun agenda that is sweeping without being too painful for most Democrats to support.

"He did the right thing when he laid out his principles. It was not a crazy wish list," says Jim Kessler, co-founder of the centrist Democrat group Third Way.

Hillary Clinton Leaving The Stage — At Least For Now — And On A High Note

Mara Liasson — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:44:00 +0000

Hillary Clinton leaves her job Friday as secretary of state with sky-high approval ratings, and there's already a superPAC established urging her to run for president in 2016.

She's one of the most famous women in the world and, as she leaves office, perhaps the If Obama has one person to thank for being in the catbird seat on the fiscal cliff talks, it's Lew, who could be Obama's pick to be the next Treasury secretary.

Gun Issues Return To Political Debate

Mara Liasson — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:31:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

In the wake of those mass killings in Newtown, Connecticut, there is a new conversation in Washington about gun laws. And there are signs that the outcome could be different than in the past.

Here's NPR's national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

MARA LIASSON, BYLINE: For almost 20 years, Democrats have been convinced that pushing gun control is a surefire way to lose elections. Even after three previous mass shootings, President Obama didn't propose any new gun laws.

Obama And House GOP Engage In Fiscal Cliff Talks, Just Not With Each Other

Mara Liasson — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:33:00 +0000

The president and House Republicans continued to snipe at each other Wednesday over the impending set of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff.

Obama Starts His Second Term By Bringing Tougher Talk

Mara Liasson — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:13:00 +0000

Throughout his first term, some of President Obama's critics said he wasn't a tough enough negotiator. They felt he caved to Republicans too early, too often. Since his re-election, Obama has subtly changed his approach. He's bringing a more aggressive style — but some critics say it's not the best way to find common ground.

Obama spent a lot of time in his first term on a fruitless hunt for that common ground.

Post-Election, GOP's Immigration Message Evolves

Mara Liasson — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:33:00 +0000

After an election in which Hispanics voted overwhelmingly for President Obama, the White House and Republicans on Capitol Hill are making overtures about immigration reform.

House Speaker John Boehner says he's sure he can make a deal next year with the White House on a comprehensive bill. A steady procession of prominent GOP leaders are warning that Republicans won't win the White House again without improving their outreach to Latino voters. On Monday, Florida Republican Sen.

Polls Start To Close In Big Battleground States

Mara Liasson — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:02:00 +0000

Lynn Neary talks to Mara Liasson for an election update as polls start to close.

Re-Election Campaign Reveals A President Looking For The Right Balance

Mara Liasson — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:07:00 +0000

As this long election comes to end, Superstorm Sandy is offering a chance for President Obama to showcase his leadership skills one last time.

For Obama, this campaign has truly been a fight against the elements: a painfully slow economic recovery and a political landscape in which the Republicans swept the table just two years ago.

Nine States; Near-Unlimited Cash; A Flurry Of Ads

Mara Liasson — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 08:19:00 +0000

Democrats and Republicans are on track to spend about $1 billion each on television advertising in the presidential race. Most of it is negative, and almost all of it is concentrated in nine battleground states.

If you live in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia or Wisconsin, you cannot get away from the ad blitz being waged by both sides.

Candidates Inject Economy Into Foreign Policy Debate

Mara Liasson — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:53:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

The third and final presidential debate was less dramatic than the ones before.

GREENE: Less dramatic but not without some drama. President Obama and Mitt Romney discussed foreign policy under the questioning of moderator Bob Schieffer.

INSKEEP: For much of the campaign, the Republican nominee has fiercely questioned Mr. Obama's foreign policy. Romney took a different approach last night, often emphasizing ways the two men agree.

The Third-Party Factor: Will 2012 Look Like 2000?

Mara Liasson — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 06:54:00 +0000

As the presidential race enters its final weeks, there are many factors that could affect the outcome: a great — or terrible — debate performance by one of the candidates on Monday in Florida; the next jobs report; or the presence of third-party candidates who are on the ballot in almost every state.

Gary Johnson, the former two-term governor of New Mexico who's running on the Libertarian ticket, is on the ballot in 48 states.

In an ad on his YouTube channel, he makes his pitch this way: "If yo

On Eve Of First Debate, NPR Poll Shows Romney Within Striking Distance

Mara Liasson — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:03:00 +0000

The latest poll by NPR and its bipartisan polling team [pdf] shows President Obama with a 7-point lead among likely voters nationally and a nearly identical lead of 6 points in the dozen battleground states where both campaigns are spending most of their time and money.

But the poll also finds former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney very much within striking distance of the incumbent as the two men begin a series of three debates Wednesday in Denver.

Romney Argues For The Proper Role Of Government

Mara Liasson — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:04:00 +0000

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has been busy after a tape emerged of him telling wealthy donors that nearly half of Americans see themselves as victims dependent on the federal government. Now he's trying to make those remarks part of a broader argument: What is the proper role of government and who should pay for it?

Romney Criticizes Obama's Response To Libya Attack

Mara Liasson — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:58:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

It didn't take long for the attacks in Benghazi and Cairo to become part of the presidential campaign. Mitt Romney jumped in first. In a statement last night before Ambassador Stevens' death had been announced, Romney accused President Obama of sympathizing with those who waged the assault. The Obama campaign responded, saying it was shocked that Romney would launch a, quote, "political attack" at this moment.

Obama, Romney Pull Campaign Ads On Sept. 11

Mara Liasson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:59:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

And I'm Melissa Block.

Blue skies, a late summer day with hints of fall: The weather in New York and Washington today felt eerily similar to September 11, 2001.

CORNISH: At ground zero in New York City, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon here in Washington, people stood quietly today under those blue skies and remembered the dead. And the presidential campaign was also quieter.

Obama Wants 4 More Years To Fix Nation's Problems

Mara Liasson — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:46:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning.