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<channel><title><![CDATA[washingtonpost.com - Terry Neal - Talking Points ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/03/25/LI2005032501827.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><description><![CDATA[Read the latest political commentary from Chief Political Correspondent Terry Neal.  Find columns on current affairs in American politics.  ]]></description><language>en-us</language><ttl>15</ttl><image><title>washingtonpost.com</title><width>140</width><height>20</height><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com?nav=rss</link><url>http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/hp/image/wp_web.gif </url></image>
<item><title><![CDATA[ So Long, And Thanks for All the E-mails ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/14/AR2005121400519.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/14/AR2005121400519.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2005 09:48:06 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ When I told my friends and associates three and a half years ago that I was going to take a job writing a political column for washingtonpost.com, I mostly got blank looks. ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Iraq's PR Battle Continues in U.S., Abroad ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/08/AR2005120800900.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/08/AR2005120800900.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2005 11:27:05 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ President Bush on Wednesday compared the task at hand in the Middle East to the lofty objectives the United States faced during World War II, saying that the attempt to build a stable democracy in Iraq is essential to the future security of America. ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Hurricane Recovery: A Forgotten Priority? ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/30/AR2005113000451.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/30/AR2005113000451.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2005 09:09:10 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ The television cameras have mostly left the Gulf Coast, but the region continues to reel from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Murtha's Reality Check ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/22/AR2005112200784.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/22/AR2005112200784.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2005 11:06:00 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Despite Rep. John Murtha's (D-Pa.) call to bring home the troops in Iraq, the consensus view in Washington is that the Democratic Party has no unified message on the war beyond criticizing the Bush administration's handling of it. <br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410818534" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410818534" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Iraq Fighting Shifts to U.S. Soil ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/17/AR2005111700651.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/17/AR2005111700651.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2005 11:05:59 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Even before former president Bill Clinton joined the torrent of criticism of the Iraq war on Wednesday, President Bush and others in his administration had launched a withering counterattack aimed at reversing negative public perceptions of the White House's handling of the war. ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ A Dangerous Veto Threat ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111500489.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111500489.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2005 10:29:59 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ It would be an understatement to say the war in Iraq has done little to bolster the perception of the United States around the world. But the administration's opposition to a provision that would ban the torture of prisoners in U.S. custody abroad risks sending the image of this country over another cliff -- as well as losing yet another opportunity to win the hearts and minds of people in the Middle East. ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Are Democrats Riding a National Wave? ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/10/AR2005111000829.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/10/AR2005111000829.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:05:58 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ With key wins in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, some Democratic leaders are all but declaring the beginning of the end for Republicans. ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ The War in Iraq: What Next for Democratic Opposition? ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/08/AR2005110800333.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/08/AR2005110800333.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2005 07:53:00 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ After issuing a string of confusing comments about where he stood on his vote to authorize war in Iraq, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), has finally taken a stand -- albeit a year too late for his political aspirations.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410822756" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410822756" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Questions Remain About the Arguments for War ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/03/AR2005110301021.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/03/AR2005110301021.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2005 11:59:58 EST</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Did administration officials willfully ignore and circumvent the established intelligence apparatus and embrace only what they wanted to hear to make the case for war in Iraq? And, if so, how far up the chain does responsibility go? And did those officials seek to punish--not just refute--those who challenged them, as Joe Wilson, the husband of outed CIA agent Valerie Plame, has suggested? ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Quick Thoughts on a Failed Nomination ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/27/AR2005102701056.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/27/AR2005102701056.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2005 12:39:08 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ A few immediate thoughts come to mind regarding the withdrawal of Harriet Miers's Supreme Court nomination: ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Let the Rule of Law Prevail ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/24/AR2005102400656.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/24/AR2005102400656.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2005 06:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ In the 1990s, "rule of law" was hot. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ The Cutting Cost of Spending ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/20/AR2005102000759.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/20/AR2005102000759.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2005 09:24:07 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Natural disasters and the war in Iraq are now forcing Congress -- after years of heavy spending -- into a serious debate about cutting costs. And it's playing out in a way that could end up influencing next year's midterm elections.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410823347" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410823347" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Bush Should Live Up to 2000 Pledge ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/18/AR2005101800410.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/18/AR2005101800410.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2005 08:04:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ During the year and a half that I covered George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign, I must have heard his stump speech a thousand times. The lines changed little over the months, and the ending almost never changed -- Bush would raise his hand, as if taking an oath, and promise to restore honor and dignity to the White House. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Security at Any Cost? ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/13/AR2005101301521.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/13/AR2005101301521.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2005 06:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Even as President Bush proclaims that Iraqis are moving toward independence, the war and occupation there is growing more costly. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Do Democrats Need Their Own Gingrich? ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/10/AR2005101001140.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/10/AR2005101001140.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2005 06:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Democrats have discovered a new rallying cry: The GOP is the party of "incompetence, cronyism and corruption." ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Political Capital Running on Low ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/06/AR2005100600571.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/06/AR2005100600571.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2005 08:51:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ The Harriet Miers nomination marks one of those rare instances in Washington where the president sees his allies on the right becoming critics while critics on the left have gone mostly silent. President Bush, meanwhile, is left somewhere in the middle trying to use whatever political capital he has left to avoid the embarrassment of rejection.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410823949" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410823949" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Tax-Cut and Spend Republicans ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100300322.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100300322.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2005 08:42:07 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ As Republicans celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Contract With America, where is the zeal for smaller government that was such a central aspect of the 1994 Republican Revolution? ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ GOP Ignores Lessons of Democrats' Past Mistakes ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/28/AR2005092801973.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/28/AR2005092801973.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2005 18:27:04 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ In response to the criminal charges he now faces, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) has offered up the time-honored defense of Washington politicians: My enemies are out to get me. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Echoes of 1994 With Current Scandals? ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/27/AR2005092700831.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/27/AR2005092700831.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2005 12:04:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Is it 1994 all over again? ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Race, Class Re-Enter Politics After Katrina ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/22/AR2005092200833.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/22/AR2005092200833.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:02:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Many Democrats believe the great economic and racial divides exposed by Hurricane Katrina will give their party a chance to make the case for a change in leadership, beginning with next year's midterm elections. However, some Democrats, including key members of the Congressional Black Caucus, fear that focusing too explicitly on the issue of race could have detrimental political implications. <br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410824638" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410824638" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Teetering on the Precipice ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/16/AR2005091600757.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/16/AR2005091600757.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2005 11:18:04 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath have left the Bush presidency teetering on the precipice. ]]></description><author>Terry M. Neal </author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ If a Liberal Opposition Group Held a Rally in a Forest ... ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/15/AR2005091500983.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/15/AR2005091500983.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2005 11:18:04 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Fait accompli or not, liberals groups wanted to make it clear that they aren't backing off of their opposition to Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ A Rare Sight in Washington: Partisans Back Off ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/14/AR2005091401752.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/14/AR2005091401752.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2005 16:10:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ The plan for Talking Points this week was to focus on the reaction of interest groups to the John Roberts Supreme Court confirmation hearings. But there has been a decided lack of fireworks or energy. Everything suggests the Roberts nomination is seen as a fait accompli by partisans on both sides of the aisle in Washington. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Parsing the Abortion Debate ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091300767.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091300767.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2005 16:43:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ "Roberts: Precedent Settles Abortion Ruling," read a headline on an Associated Press story this afternoon.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410825373" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410825373" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Hiding Bodies Won't Hide the Truth ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/08/AR2005090800354.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/08/AR2005090800354.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2005 09:46:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Cadavers have a way of raising questions.  ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Why, Oh Why? ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090500482.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090500482.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2005 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ Questions. So many questions. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Questioning Bush's Sacrifice for a 'Noble Cause' ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/01/AR2005090100786.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/01/AR2005090100786.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Sep 2005 10:18:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ The ongoing saga of the Cindy Sheehan show has raised the specter of service and sacrifice and what it means to give to a "noble cause."  ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ War Supporters Concerned That 'Theocracy' Will Be Final Word in Iraq Saga ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082600548.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082600548.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2005 06:30:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ With the original security arguments for going to war with Iraq now undermined, President Bush's sole standing justification is the prospect of spreading democracy through the Arab Middle East.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410826159" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=511410826159" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Military's Recruiting Troubles Extend to Affluent War Supporters ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081900815.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081900815.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Mon, 22 Aug 2005 08:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ There was an eye-opening article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette a few days ago that explored the increasing difficulty the military is having recruiting young people to enlist. As has been well reported in many newspapers, including The Washington Post, the Army and Marines are having a particularly tough time meeting recruitment objectives, in part because of Americans' concern about the war in Iraq. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Energy Booster ]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/12/AR2005081200643.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/12/AR2005081200643.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid><pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ As was the case with the Bush administration's passage of the sweeping overhaul of bankruptcy laws a few months ago, the newly signed energy bill will serve as a multibillion-dollar boon to some of the GOP's staunchest corporate contributors. ]]></description><author>washingtonpost.com</author></item>
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