msnbc.com: Howard Fineman

Obama channels Ali in health fight

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 19:30:53 GMT

A fan of Muhammad Ali, the president is deploying the political version of the Champ’s most famous tactic. It’s called the “rope-a-dope.”

One year later, big test for big government

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:21:17 GMT

After a year of sweeping governmental action to revive the economy, is the country better off and on the road to recovery? Some voters get to decide today.

Is Obama's star dimming as U.S. stock drops?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:45:30 GMT

Don't let the fancy state dinner fool you — the U.S. and the White House aren’t “the place to be” any more. Howard Fineman explains what it mean for the administration and the country.

White House - State dinner - United States - Government - U.S

Obama as prosecutor in chief

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:28:45 GMT

President Obama emerged as prosecutor in chief in his speech on health care to Congress, a transformation that came just in the nick of time to revive (although not completely) a wobbly effort to sell his plan.

The last of the great Irish dealmakers

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:05:45 GMT

Of all the Kennedy brothers, Ted best embodied the Irish spirit – he was the prosaic survivor, not a hero, and not so much a romantic as the one who carried the load. Howard Fineman explains.

Obama's missteps on health care

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:49:14 GMT

When the history of President Barack Obama’s first year in office is written, scholars will try to answer this question: What went wrong with health care? Howard Fineman gives his list of Obama mistakes.

Obama's lackluster health care message

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:40:06 GMT

Analysis: The president pretty much just stood there for an hour, filibustering his way through non-answers and recycling old patches of rhetoric on health care reform.

Palin prepping for 2012 run?

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:56:29 GMT

Sarah Palin's announcement that she's stepping down as Alaska's governor could be a sign that she's gearing up for a run at the presidency in 2012, Howard Fineman writes.

My pal Franken must prove self

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 01:42:22 GMT

As the pivotal Sixtieth Democrat, Franken will be on the very fault line of American politics. He will have to show the same discipline and control that he mustered in defeating Sen. Norm Coleman

Reading into Obama's bedside book selection

Wed, 6 May 2009 19:25:33 GMT

Sometimes, a book is just a book. But Obama's first nightstand selection as commander in chief may reveal some details about the nation's new, hard-to-fathom president. Howard Fineman explains.

The Mr. Cool presidency turns 100 (days)

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:08:57 GMT

In his first 100 days in office, President Barack Obama has proved as ubiquitous, image-rich, far-reaching, and networked as the Internet that helped launch him into power.

Captain Obama?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:38:46 GMT

Captains are back — as in Sullenberger and now Phillips — and with them, the idea that our leaders can be trusted to know what they are doing, and to do it.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Super Prez!

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:30:56 GMT

He is reshaping corporate boardrooms. He is firing CEOs. He is pushing spending plans through Congress with ease. Is Barack Obama a superhero? Or a just a popular politician with good instincts?

Conservatives, cash-culture clash in Ariz.

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 21:57:37 GMT

Arizona has two ways of thinking when it comes to Obama’s stimulus plan — conservative Goldwater devotees are suspicious, and the "Where’s Mines" just want their chance at the cash.

Obama is Reagan redux

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:21:34 GMT

President Obama is channeling Ronald Reagan in more than style and tone. His promises are grand – and his budget is wishful thinking. And like Reagan, he’s betting that arithmetic matters less than inspiration.

The honeymoon that ended before it began

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:19:51 GMT

He has the highest approval ratings on record, yet President Obama never had the traditional honeymoon. He started governing the economy weeks ago, warning things are going to get much, much worse.

The 'Obama Way': Seven steps to success

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 17:57:37 GMT

From being decisive to understanding your brand — how Barack Obama has crafted an innovative approach to presidential politics.

Will Obama's Uncle Sam scare swing voters?

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:29:39 GMT

Analysis: Sen. Barack Obama’s supporters: stop predicting that the Democrats will sweep into Congress come January with an expanded, overpowering new majority.

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Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:29:39 GMT

Obama targeting McCain's own state?

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:54:07 GMT

Thanks to recent record-breaking fundraising, the Obama campaign is now looking toward victory in several reach states - including Arizona. But one place the money won’t be going? Into congressional campaigns.

McCain stock souring in New York?

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:20:15 GMT

As John McCain readies for the third and final presidential debate, a group of New Yorkers is ready to call it quits with the candidate. And just like falling stock, they're ready to dump him.

McCain's last chance

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 17:19:26 GMT

It's ironic but appropriate that Sen. John McCain's pivotal campaign moment tonight is in a city known for country-music troubadours of last chances.

The mess Obama or McCain will inherit

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:20:56 GMT

The next president-elect already knows his first order of business: Navigate the vast and bewildering new economic world created by Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke.

Can a patriotic pitch save McCain's campaign?

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:39:19 GMT

Why a cold-blooded, chest-beating theme of patriotism will either give John McCain a real chance to win the White House — or consign him to the dust bin of history.

Tense times remain for Clinton, Obama

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 18:49:50 GMT

Bill won’t say Obama’s “ready” to president, and Hillary says the presumptive nominee hasn’t fulfilled his fundraising promises. Howard Fineman on the continued tension between the old and new guard.

Obama and Kaine peas in a political pod?

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:03:49 GMT

They have school, family and historical connections. But will Virginia Governor Tim Kaine be Barack Obama's running mate? Howard Fineman weighs the pros and cons.

McCain's dark days in Obama's shadow

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:05:24 GMT

In shadow of Barack Obama's world tour, John McCain has had better days. From morning show blunders to policy gaffes, where he's slipping up... and how and he can get it back.

Action-hero McCain

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:45:33 GMT

John McCain's five day energy tour is part of a larger plan to portray Barack Obama as too inexperienced and caught up in theoretical matters to be president in perilous, crisis-ridden times.

An introduction to Obamanomics

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:08:13 GMT

Neither Barack Obama's newly debuted economic plan nor his bulked-up economic team seem to embrace the theme of sweeping change that characterizes his campaign.

A make-or-break moment for Obama

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:05:58 GMT

Tuesday in Philadelphia, Barack Obama faces his highest bar yet: He has to explain his relationship with – and differences with – his controversial pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

An apology to John McCain

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:02:11 GMT

Howard Fineman on why John McCain has settled into a winning communications strategy.

Who is Barack Obama?

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 22:55:01 GMT

Now we’ll see what Barack Obama is really made of, what he believes deep down, and who he really is as a person.

Hillary's last stand

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:50:51 GMT

Howard Fineman on why tonight's debate in Ohio is so critical for the Clinton campaign. A look at her chances, her potential strategy, and the bitter ironies surrounding the showdown.

A parliamentary presidency?

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 00:00:51 GMT

Super Tuesday is a huge deal, to be sure, but the real action between now and November will be – uncharacteristically – in Congress.

Hillary lives

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 05:50:40 GMT

The Democratic and independent voters in New Hampshire made it clear they want the conversation about their choice for the presidency to begin -- not end.

What the heck happened to Hillary?

Mon, 7 Jan 2008 20:40:38 GMT

On Elm Street Monday morning in Manchester, N.H., there were scores of young people lining the sidewalks waving Obama signs. So what happened to Hillary?

Iowa takes the curtain

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 03:06:01 GMT

As voting begins in the 2008 presidential campaign, Americans are in a “Take the Curtain!” mood.