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The article discusses Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Consideration is given to his early life and career in politics. Particular attention is paid to the divisiveness some discern in Walker's governance, and circumstances in the Republican Party that the author believes have contributed to it. Indications of racism among those around Walker are cited.

The article discusses the political career of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as of March 2014, focusing on an alleged shift in his public image from a popular bipartisan reformer to accusations of corruption and bullying. Topics include Christie's background and rise to prominence in politics, his political allies in New Jersey including George Norcross, Joe DiVincenzo, and Todd Christie, and reaction to the 2013-2014 "Bridgegate" traffic jam scandal from Republicans and Democrats.

The article focuses on Doug Band, former body man to former U.S. president Bill Clinton. The author suggests that Band's involvement with Bill and his wife, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, may hurt Hillary's chances of winning a U.S. presidential election if she chooses to run. Topics include the Clintons' charitable foundation, the Clinton Foundation; Band's start-up corporate advisory firm Teneo; and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) charity, which Band helped found.

The article discusses gun control in the U.S. as of April 2013. According to the article, groups such as the Mayors Against Illegal Guns political group of the politician Michael Bloomberg, individuals such as Sandy Phillips, whose daughter was shot in the 2012 Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting, and politicians such as Joe Manchin support gun control despite the influence of the U.S. National Rifle Association. Topics include declining gun ownership rates in the U.S., background check legislation that was defeated in the U.S. Senate in 2013, and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The Moms Demand Action political group is mentioned.

The article discusses how U.S. Representative Paul Ryan won his reputation as a serious budget analyst. It is noted that a 1995 reduction in the size of Congressional committee staffs provided Ryan, who was then working for U.S. Representative Sam Brownback with an opportunity to establish his credentials as a policy expert. The author believes Ryan has also benefited from his own personal charm, and from respect he has garnered from liberal journalists including Ezra Klein, although some of those relationships have subsequently deteriorated.

The article explores political events in the state of Ohio from 2011-2012 and their implications for the election in November 2012. After he was elected in 201, Republican governor John Kasich advocated for Senate Bill (SB5), which restricted the collective-bargaining rights of public sector employees. The public outcry to the bill's passage in 2011 led to its being overturned in a referendum by voters later that November. It is suggested that the backlash to SB5, Kasich, and national Republican politicians such as Mitt Romney who supported the bill could influence the November 2012 vote for the Ohio state House, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and especially the race for U.S. President in this swing state.

The article looks at the popularity of U.S. President Barack Obama among people in the finance industry as of April 2012. Topics discussed include the support he received from hedge fund managers when running for president in 2008, how they have become disenchanted with Obama due to all the financial legislation he has put forward during his administration such as the Dodd-Frank law, hedge fund manager Clifford Asness's public critique of Obama in May 2009, and financial institution Citadel founder Ken Griffin's lobbying against Democratic efforts to close tax loopholes benefiting private-equity firms. Hedge fund manager Dan Loeb is also discussed.

The article focus on the life and political career of Texas Governor Rick Perry. Topics include his educational and family background, his involvement in the U.S. military, his role in building up the Republican party through Texas business and politics, and motivations for his presidential campaign for the U.S. 2012 presidential election. It is suggested that Perry values his personal goals above ideological goals and that the campaigning and political battles associated with American politics attracted him to run for the U.S. Presidency.

The article looks at the ideas of urban studies scholar Richard Florida, as of 2014. The author describes how Florida became a prominent public intellectual through propounding his theory on the role of what he calls the creative class in urban economic development, including in his book "The Rise of the Creative Class." He presents a case for the view that economic and political developments in recent years have disproven Florida's theory.

The article profiles Martin O'Malley, the Democratic governor of Maryland as of July 2013 and potential U.S. presidential candidate in 2016. Topics include his previous work as the mayor of Baltimore, Maryland; the legislation he has helped pass on subjects including marriage equality, gun control, and immigration; and his hobby of playing in a cover band. The author posits that O'Malley would not make a good presidential candidate because he lacks charismatic public speaking skills and passion for liberal issues.

The article reports on the 2013 meeting of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, a lobby group for drone manufacturers, held in Newport News, Virginia. Companies represented at the meeting included consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton and defense contractor General Dynamics. It summarizes discussions at the meeting about civilian uses of drones and strategies for overcoming negative public attitudes toward them. A talk by political scientist Peter W. Singer is summarized.

The article looks at the swing state of Ohio in terms of the 2012 U.S. presidential election. Concerns that the state's high influence on the election result will increase the occurrence of voter fraud and voter suppression are noted. Topics include controversy over certain actions of Toledo, Ohio election board officials including Jon Stainbrook, Republican support for voting restrictions that would have a disproportionate impact on minority voters, and efforts to increase the availability of weekend voting in Ohio's Democratic counties.

The article looks at Robert Murray, the chief executive of energy firm Murray Energy and a benefactor of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012. Allegations from Murray's employees at his Century Mine in Ohio that they were forced to attend a pro-Romney rally in August 2012 and that they are coerced to contribute to Romney's campaign or lose their jobs are considered. Other topics include Murray's criticism of government mining regulations and the legality of Murray's efforts to get his employees to donate to political causes.

The article discusses the ways in which Americans' ideas about wealth, class, and business impact opinions of U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney and other politicians. It particularly examines Americans' thoughts on Romney's time working for the financial services and asset management company Bain Capital. The author comments on Romney's run for U.S. Senate against Massachusetts incumbent Ted Kennedy in 1994, reflecting on indictments of Bain Capital made by former employees of the Marion, Indiana-based company SCM Office Supplies, which was taken over by the Bain Capital-owned company Pad & Paper (AmPad).

The article muses on the temperament of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Although Romney has a reputation for being calm and collected, the author cites several instances over the years in which he displayed outward anger. One topic on which Romney has never seemed to lose his composure, the author notes, is his Mormon faith. Various people are quoted in an effort to gain insight into Romney's emotional state including a former boarding school classmate and Tom Birmingham, a member of the Massachusetts state senate.

The article discusses the sources of guns used by gangs in Central America to execute homicides and violent attacks, noting U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) adviser Harry Penate's view that U.S. guns are entering Central America. Topics addressed include the smuggling of guns that are purchased at U.S. stores, the ATF's resistance to expanding its International anti-gun-trafficking efforts, and the role of gang violence in an influx of child immigrants in the U.S.

The article presents information on political associates of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, focusing on their roles in the administration of the state. Profiles include state Democratic Party leader George Norcross, New Jersey Port Authority chairman David Samson, and spokesman Michael Drewniak.

The article presents information on various political dealings of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and their locations throughout the state, focusing on favors to allies and tactics against rivals. Topics include the 2013 George Washington Bridge traffic incident in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Christie's endorsement of Democratic Mayor Brian Stack of Union City, New Jersey, and state and federal grants to Burlington City, New Jersey in 2012 and 2013.

The article profiles New York governor Andrew Cuomo as of April 2013, focusing on how he compares to his father Mario Cuomo, a former New York governor, is noted. His work as governor is discussed, with topics including how he closed the state's budget deficit, raise the minimum wage, and legalized same-sex marriage. His rhetorical ability, his relationship with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and his mother Matilda Cuomo are also mentioned. The likelihood that Cuomo will run as the Democratic nominee in the 2016 U.S. presidential election is considered.

The article discusses the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, with particular focus given to her campaign and competition from incumbent Massachusetts senator Scott Brown. The close nature of the campaign is examined, and Warren's academic background and position as a professor at Harvard University is commented on. The high expectations for her campaign and surprise at her lack of success are explored, and reasons for the close race including Brown's popularity and long residence in Massachusetts are discussed.

The article looks at fundraising for the 2012 U.S. presidential election, focusing on money raised by the political action committees (PACs) supporting incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney. It notes that the PACs backing Romney, including American Crossroads, Americans for Prosperity, and Restore our Future, have raised far more money than Priorities USA Action, which supports Obama. The author cites several reasons, including the fact that many wealthy donors from the banking industry who backed Obama in 2008 have turned against him and the fact that the wealthiest Americans are disproportionately Republicans. He also says Democrats have more qualms about donating large sums because they are concerned about the role of money in politics.

The article discusses the opposing agendas of Lee Saunders and Danny Donohue, rivals to replace the retiring Gerald McEntee as head of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Saunders, whose candidacy is supported by McEntee, says that under his leadership the union would continue to take a balanced approach to local, state, and national politics. Conversely, Donohue says the AFSCME has focused too much attention on national politics and needs to place a greater emphasis on exerting influence at the state and local levels.

The article discusses contributions to political campaigns in the U.S. by the wealthy, examining a campaign by state treasurers to require that donors to 501(c)(4) organizations must be disclosed. The article looks at states including Massachusetts, California, and North Carolina, where treasurers have discussed requiring hedge funds and private equity companies which handle public pensions to increase transparency about political giving.

The article discusses the 1990 campaign for the Georgia U.S. House of Representatives by Democrat David Worley against incumbent Newt Gingrich that was decided by only 974 votes. Worley capitalized on Gingrinch's vote for a congressional pay raise and use of a car and driver while in Washington, D.C., ignoring of a local airline union, and refusing to shake Worley's hand in a debate. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee denied Worley additional campaign funds, and his campaign was outspent by Gingrich's 4-1. The election ended in a recount in which Gingrich was declared the winner.

The article offers information about the environmental ideas and policies of U.S. politician Mitt Romney. Topics include Romney's work with environmentalist Douglas Foy in green urban planning and development as governor of Massachusetts, his views on environmentalism, and his change in environmental policies after becoming a presidential candidate for the U.S. 2012 election. It is suggested that Romney approved of his work with Foy to increase sustainable development despite his change in views as a Republican presidential candidate.

The article focuses on the efforts of the Americans Elect organization to nominate a bipartisan team for president and vice president in an Internet convention for the U.S. 2012 presidential election. Topics include the political doctrines of Republicans and Democrats, the two party system within the Right and Left political spectrum of U.S. politics, and the potential effect of the convention on the reelection of U.S. President Barack Obama. The goals of the group to promote fiscal conservatism, social liberalism, and elect a third party candidate are discussed. Comments from founder Peter Ackerman and political commentator Matt Miller about the organization are also included.

The article discusses Michigan governor Rick Snyder. Unlike some other Republican governors such as Scott Walker in Wisconsin and Chris Christie in New Jersey, Snyder is not abrasive or confrontational as he pursues a conservative political agenda. A former venture capitalist, Snyder had cut taxes on businesses in Michigan and signed into law expanded powers that could enable him to weaken public employee unions at some point. Michigan state senator Gretchen Whitmer says Snyder has quietly addressed issues that have generated controversy in other states.

The article presents several charts and graphs that provide information about Milwaukee, Wisconsin and surrounding areas including racial composition, political preferences in the 2012 U.S. presidential election, and percentage of the population receiving food stamps.

The article looks at tax reform in the U.S. as of July 2013. The author suggests that the U.S. should lower the corporate tax rate and close tax loopholes, adopt a system where taxes are owed to the countries where income is earned, and reducing the number of tax-favored savings vehicles and simplifying the tax code overall.

The article offers popular culture and historical revelations, including actor Alec Baldwin's inspiration for his character of Jack Donaghy on the television program "30 Rock," the real name of Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, and the reason for a spike in greenhouse gas emissions around 100 B.C. The origination of the word 'politico' is also discussed.

The article looks at how political and economic issues in Europe are influencing the 2012 U.S. presidential election. Republican candidate Mitt Romney is noted as suggesting incumbent president Barack Obama's attempts to check unbridled capitalism in the U.S. will cause the economic problems seen in Greece in 2011-2012. Democrats' decrying of German austerity measures is also considered.

The article offers information and opinions about the campaign staff of presidential candidate Rick Santorum for the 2012 U.S. presidential election. It discusses the political background and political views of campaign staff and followers including campaign manager Mike Biundo, the campaign's chief liaison to South Carolina Alexia Newman, and supporter Jesse Biter.

The article focuses on the efforts of Mitt Romney, U.S. presidential candidate for the 2012 election, to win support in the state of New Hampshire. An examination of Romney's financial contributions to state senators and elected officials is included. Other topics include the structure of politics in New Hampshire, the view of New Hampshire politicians towards Romney, and the relationship between his generosity and his ability to win the state's primary for the U.S. 2012 presidential election.