Ari Shapiro

Obama U: What Graduation Speeches Say About The President

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:56:00 +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 21:20:00 +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

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 22:01:00 +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, Obama Faces Tougher Second

Ari Shapiro — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:55:00 +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.

Obama Warns Of Dangerous Consequences If Debt Limit Isn't Raised

Ari Shapiro — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:05:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

We begin this hour with the end of President Obama's first term. He's got less than a week before next Monday's inauguration. This morning, he capped things off with an hour-long news conference in the White House East Room. As NPR's Ari Shapiro reports, most of the focus was on a rash of recent financial crises that Washington itself has created.

ARI SHAPIRO, BYLINE: This was far from a first term victory lap. The president's tone was measured and somber.