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.

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.

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