Ari Shapiro

Is There Really A Second-Term Curse?

Ari Shapiro — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:07:00 +0000

The phrase "second term curse" is so familiar that it's become a cliche of American politics. Whether it's President Richard Nixon's resignation or President Bill Clinton's impeachment, presidents tend to have a tough time during the back half of an eight-year presidency.

Nothing on President Obama's plate comes close to those historical examples.

What A Week: White House Rattled By Controversy

Ari Shapiro — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:13:00 +0000

NPR's Ari Shapiro joins host Scott Simon to talk about the Obama administration's week. The president was buffeted by revelations that the IRS had targeted Tea Party groups seeking tax-exempt status and that the Justice Department had subpoenaed reporter phone records. On top of that, Republicans continue to allege that the White House engaged in a cover-up of talking points about the attack in Benghazi, Libya.

Obama U: What Graduation Speeches Say About The President

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:29:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzC135ql_wA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPHJnHXEDq8

AP Case Adds To Obama Team's Tough Record On Leaks

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:03:00 +0000

President Obama had a reputation when he took office as a liberal former constitutional lawyer who had condemned Bush-era national security policies.

But he has proven to be even tougher than President George W. Bush on prosecuting national security leaks.

Democrats Invoke Boston, West To Defend Government's Role

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:47:00 +0000

President Obama has spoken at two memorial services in just over a week — one for victims of the Boston Marathon attack and one for those who died in the chemical plant explosions in West, Texas. In both speeches, he focused on victims and survivors.

But other Democrats are using these events to talk about another subject: the role of government.

The day after the Boston explosions, while thousands of investigators were searching for evidence, retired Rep.

How Obama's Response To Terrorism Has Shifted

Ari Shapiro — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:09:00 +0000

President Obama's time in office has not been defined by terrorism as President George W. Bush's was. Yet incidents like the one in Boston have been a regular, painful through line of his presidency.

When a new administration walks into the White House, nobody provides a handbook on how to respond to a terrorist attack. So the Obama administration has been on a steady learning curve.

When an underwear bomber tried to bring down an airplane on Christmas Day 2009, the White House was basically silent for two days.

Obama Criticizes Congress After Background Check Bill Fails

Ari Shapiro — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:38:00 +0000

Transcript

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

From Boston now to the White House, where President Obama reacted angrily tonight to the failure of an effort in the Senate to expand background checks for gun purchases. The amendment, proposed by Democrat Joe Manchin and Republican Pat Toomey, got only 54 votes - six short of the necessary 60. President Obama spoke in the White House Rose Garden. He called this a pretty shameful day for Washington.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Ninety percent of the American people support universal background checks that make it harder for a dangerous person to buy a gun.

'We Have To Do More': Michelle Obama's Next Four Years

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:44:00 +0000

This week marked a new step in Michelle Obama's evolution as first lady. In her hometown of Chicago, she delivered one of the most emotional speeches of her career — about kids dying from gun violence.

"I'm not talking about something that's happening in a war zone halfway around the world," she said. "I am talking about what's happening in the city that we call home."

Michelle Obama almost never ventures into the top political controversy of the day. Instead, she has spent her time in the White House focusing mostly on child nutrition and military families.

Will The Future GOP Be More Libertarian?

Ari Shapiro — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:59:00 +0000

Republicans don't often make high-profile speeches at Howard University, one of the country's most prominent historically black schools. But on Wednesday, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul will talk to Howard students about how his party can be more inclusive.

Paul believes one answer is libertarianism — and party leaders are starting to think he might be on to something.

When Paul's father, former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, ran for president in 2007, the Republican establishment treated him a bit like the wacky uncle in the family.

Why Politicians Want Children To Be Seen And Heard

Ari Shapiro — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:21:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkvN7GCcTVk