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.

Obama To Push Jobs, Education At N.C. Middle School

Mara Liasson — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:19:00 +0000

As part of his Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour, President Obama travels to Mooresville, N.C., Thursday. He'll highlight Mooresville Middle School's focus on technology and digital learning. Young voters cite the economy and education as top concerns. Neither political party has been adept at addressing these issues for young people.

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.

Political Battle Over Health Law Starts Next Chapter

Mara Liasson — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:29:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

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

It's one of the basic lessons in school - how a bill becomes a law - sounds so finite. Of course the part they don't always teach is how the political debate over a law can just keep going. The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, is now the law of the land.

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

Mara Liasson — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:06:00 +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.

Is Caroline Kennedy Qualified To Be U.S. Ambassador To Japan?

Mara Liasson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:43:00 +0000

President Obama is expected to name Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, ambassador to Japan. The job has been critical to U.S. trade and business interests with the world's third largest economy. But Kennedy has no prior experience in government or business.

Proposition 8 Case Has High Political Stakes For Both Parties

Mara Liasson — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:33:00 +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.