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's Pressure Fails To Get Gun Measure Passed

Ari Shapiro — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:36:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Now, President Obama had promised to put the full weight of his office behind getting Congress to pass new gun control legislation. That weight was apparently not enough. When the legislation failed yesterday, Obama went into the White House Rose Garden and made a blistering speech, calling it a shameful day for Washington.

NPR's Ari Shapiro was there.

ARI SHAPIRO, BYLINE: The first people to walk out of the Oval Office were families of the kids shot at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

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 21:28:00 +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

Gay Marriage And The Evolving Language Of Love

Ari Shapiro — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:11:00 +0000

In 1982, advice columnist Dear Abby published a letter from someone who'd just moved from a conservative Midwestern town to bohemian Portland, Ore.

Suddenly the advice seeker was interacting with gay couples and wanted to know: Should a letter be addressed to "Mr. John Doe and Friend?'"

Is it proper to say, "This is so-and-so and his lover"?

The writer went on: "'Would it be proper to introduce a gay couple as, 'Mr.

Republicans Launch Mission To Turn Up Their Digital Game

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:32:00 +0000

The Republican and Democratic parties have been in a digital arms race for years. And this week, Republicans frankly admitted that they are losing.

Now, the GOP has ambitious plans to improve its game.

Monday's report from the Republican National Committee puts it bluntly: "Republicans must catch up on how we utilize technology in our campaigns.

As Gay Marriage Heads To Court, A Look Back At The Bumpy Ride

Ari Shapiro — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:04:00 +0000

Gays and lesbians have adopted the phrase "it gets better" as a kind of slogan to assure young people that life won't always be so tough.

Looking back, life has gotten dramatically better for LGBT people in the United States in a very short period of time. The modern gay rights movement began less than 50 years ago. Today, supporters of same-sex marriage outnumber opponents.

Now, the Supreme Court is about to hear two big cases that could shift the landscape for gay rights again.

Gay rights groups are more wound up than they have been in years.

Obama Team Stops Saying 'Global War On Terror' But Doesn't Stop Waging It

Ari Shapiro — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:38:00 +0000

After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush often made a provocative claim: He argued that the U.S. was fighting a war without a typical battlefield. In effect, he said, this war is everywhere.

"Our enemies make no distinction based on borders," he said in a 2007 speech in Michigan. "They view the world as a giant battlefield and will strike wherever they can."

He said the U.S.

Let The Cuts Begin: Sequestration Deadline Passes

Ari Shapiro — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:05:00 +0000

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon.

Sequestration is official. President Obama signed an executive order on spending late last night as required by law. He sent the order to Congress and that triggered budget cuts known as sequestration.

Loaded Words: How Language Shapes The Gun Debate

Ari Shapiro — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:27:00 +0000

The country has been debating gun regulations for months. Later this week, a Senate committee will start work on various proposals, including a background check on every gun sale and a ban on assault weapons.

But this debate over guns goes beyond disagreements about policy.

Obama's Meeting With New Japanese Leader Focuses On China

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:47:00 +0000

President Obama met with the new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzu Abe at the White House on Friday. The two nations have common concerns about what they regard as provocations by North Korea and China.

Republicans Make 'Benghazi' A Frequent Refrain

Ari Shapiro — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:47:00 +0000

The White House hopes the Senate will confirm Chuck Hagel next week as defense secretary.

Republicans delayed the vote for the same reason they scuttled Susan Rice's bid to be secretary of state: Benghazi.

The attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, last September killed four Americans, including the ambassador to Libya. And Benghazi has since become a rallying cry for Republicans.

On Tuesday night in Rock Hill, S.C., Republican Rep. Mick Mulvaney met with his constituents.

Obama Again Calls For Balanced Plan For Cuts

Ari Shapiro — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:33:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

And I'm Linda Wertheimer.

Earlier this hour, President Obama spoke in the White House about the impacts of deep spending cuts that are scheduled to take effect a week from Friday. A group of first responders in uniforms stood behind him.

Cabinet Picks Show A Shift In How U.S. Wages War

Ari Shapiro — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:18:00 +0000

Chuck Hagel, who spent more than a decade in the Senate asking witnesses questions at hearings, will be the one answering them Thursday as his confirmation hearing to be secretary of defense begins.

His hearing follows that of Sen.

Speechwriters: After Bland First Inaugural, Second Is Tougher For Obama

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:09:00 +0000

A presidential inauguration is an event defined by huge, sweeping optics: the National Mall full of cheering Americans; a grandiose platform in front of the Capitol building; the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. And the centerpiece: a speech.

On Monday, President Obama will give his second inaugural address — and he faces a challenge in crafting a speech for this moment.

The last time Obama gave an inaugural address, millions of joyous people tuned in around the world, ready to be inspired by a man who rose to prominence on the incredible power of his words.

Often Written Off, Biden Has Long List Of Deals To His Name

Ari Shapiro — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:28:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEu40xl7oCY

Obama: 'The American People Are Watching What We Do Here'

Ari Shapiro — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:21:00 +0000

We have reached the last weekend of the year, and Washington still has not reached a deal to avert the big tax hikes and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff.

President Obama met with top congressional leaders at the White House on Friday afternoon: John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi from the House, and Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell from the Senate.

It was a last-ditch effort to reach a bipartisan deal before the new fiscal realities kick in at year's end.

How Obama's 2nd Inauguration Will Differ From 2009

Ari Shapiro — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:44:00 +0000

Details are starting to come out about President Obama's inauguration next month. The co-chairs include actress Eva Longoria and some leaders of the Democratic Party and the business world. President Obama's first inauguration set all kinds of records but like most second inaugurals, this one may be less flashy than 2009.

"On Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House, a huge metal and wood structure has been erected over the last several weeks for Inauguration Day. The same thing is happening at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the capital building.

White House Holiday Spirit A 'Joy To All'

Ari Shapiro — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 11:28:00 +0000

The bows are tied, the garlands are hung, and the White House is aglow for the holidays. Volunteers from all over the country handled the decorations with care, and on Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama showed off their efforts to military families. This year's theme is "Joy to All."

Ship Capt. Pete Hall from Louisville, Ky., followed family tradition by helping with the decorations. His grandfather was the chief usher of the White House from 1938 to 1957.

Obama Team Works To Keep Grass Roots From Drying Up In Second Term

Ari Shapiro — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:05:00 +0000

On Wednesday, President Obama will meet with middle-class Americans who will be affected by a tax increase if the country goes over the fiscal cliff. The White House put out a call for their stories last week.

That dialogue with the American people is part of a broader White House effort to keep campaign supporters engaged during Obama's second term.

Young Voters Key In Obama's 2012 Win

Ari Shapiro — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:16:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

This is the season when political professionals try to make sense of the last election. Plenty of Republicans have been calling for their party to take a new approach to immigration after the Hispanic vote went overwhelmingly to President Obama.

And there's another big group of interest.

Tough Turkey: People Have A Harder Time Getting Pardons Under Obama

Ari Shapiro — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:53:00 +0000

Presidential pardons usually take the world by surprise. There's no advance notice — the White House just sends out an announcement with the names of those receiving clemency. Thanksgiving is one lighthearted exception.

On Wednesday, President Obama will once again take part in the traditional turkey pardoning at the White House. But while the business of pardoning humans is more serious, it's also increasingly rare.

People don't usually think of the president as a part of the justice system. Typically that world includes judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers — not the chief executive.

Taxing Work Ahead: Have Negotiating Tables Turned?

Ari Shapiro — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Republicans and Democrats agree: Election season may have ended just four days ago, but it's already time to get back to work.