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[http://m.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder] DC Decoder Security Watch World All World Africa Africa Monitor Americas Latin America Monitor Asia Pacific Asia: South & Central Europe Middle East Olive Press People Making a Difference Change Agent Latest News Wires Progress Watch Security Watch Terrorism & Security Backchannels Reality Check Under the Radar Security Voices Cyber Conflict Monitor Global News Blog Global Issues Latest News Wires Specials Africa's AIDS Orphans Little Bill Clinton Hostage The Jill Carroll Story Difference Maker World Topics USA All USA Politics The Vote The Monitor Breakfast Play Gaffe Dodger the presidential election game Latest News Wires DC Decoder Decoder Buzz Decoder Voices You Asked Education Elections President House Senate Governors Vox News From the Wires Tea Party Tally Election Topics Foreign Policy Justice Military Society Sports USA Update Latest News Wires Specials Patchwork-Nation USA Topics Commentary All Commentary The Monitor's View Readers Respond Global Newsstand Upfront Blog Monitor Political Cartoons Specials 100 years of Monitor journalism Commentary Topics Business All Business The Bite Tax VOX The New Economy Saving Money In Gear Paper Economy Robert Reich Latest News Wires Business Topics Guide to Giving America's Top 50 charities: How well do they rate? 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Rick Perry ordered an unflattering tweet of a political rival deleted from his account. But frankly, it wasn't so far out of line from his other attacks. Decoder Voices Republicans still have a problem with female voters Even Republican women lawmakers seem to have difficulty communicating with women voters – and for the Republican Party, there don't appear to be any easy fixes. Decoder Voices Does America have a bomb play? The Islamic State is an unexpected challenge for the Obama White House. Still, presidents are not supposed to admit that they don't have a strategy for dealing with a huge national security problem. Why is Jimmy Carter speaking at Muslim convention? (+video) Top Bush and Obama figures have also addressed the Islamic Society of North America. But former President Carter attracts criticism because he has called for the US to recognize Hamas, which the State Department labels a terrorist group. Decoder Buzz Sen. Mary Landrieu owns no Louisiana home. What was she thinking? (+video) Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is facing a tough reelection fight this fall, and her opponents will do all they can to keep the revelation about her home status in the news. Decoder Buzz Republican says 'hundreds' of Americans have joined Islamic State. True? The number of Americans who have joined the Islamic State is unclear. The figure cited Sunday by Rep. Mike Rogers might be high, some groups say, but there are 'legitimate concerns about this issue.' Decoder Voices White House may hold off on immigration action until after election If President Obama's acting on his own on immigration before the election prompts more Republican voters to go to the polls in swing states, it could end up costing the Democrats the Senate. That's why he may put off executive action. Decoder Voices McConnell campaign manager resigns, amid probe into Iowa bribery scandal Jesse Benton, who also managed Ron Paul's 2008 and '12 presidential campaigns, said that he did not want to become a 'distraction' in Mitch McConnell's reelection bid. Decoder Voices Why Democrats will keep the Senate: A contrarian analysis of the 2014 midterms Sam Wang gives Democrats a 72 percent chance of keeping control of the Senate. It's not a widely held view, but he did accurately predict every Senate race in 2012. Here's why the pundits may be underestimating Democrats this year. Obama ponders action against Islamic State extremists. What do Americans think? (+video) Pew finds most Americans think President Obama is 'not tough enough' on foreign policy and national security. But most also are war-weary and don’t think the US has a responsibility to 'do something about the violence in Iraq.' No Islamic State strategy? Obama gets lots of unsought advice (+video) President Obama says 'We don’t have a strategy yet' for confronting the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq and Syria. That’s left him open to criticism and unsolicited advice. Decoder Voices What?! No strategy? The president should just resign Twitterverse explodes after President Obama's 'no strategy' gaffe of gaffes. Good to know that journalists covering the presidency are not the types to exaggerate an incident for the sake of wooing viewers or increasing site visits. Follow Stories Like This Get the Monitor stories you care about delivered to your inbox. September 1, 2014 Photos of Labor Day weekend An Indian laborer loads goods on a bike at Chawri Bazar, in New Delhi, India, Monday. Chawri Bazar, is a specialized wholesale hardware market said to have started in the late 19th Century, mostly selling brass, copper and paper products. View gallery More DC Decoder View All Decoder Buzz Sen. Mary Landrieu owns no Louisiana home. What was she thinking? (+video) Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is facing a tough reelection fight this fall, and her opponents will do all they can to keep the revelation about her home status in the news. Decoder Voices Russia has invaded Ukraine If NATO reports are true, it would appear that Russia has decided to significantly ramp up its involvement in the rebellion in eastern Ukraine. Vladimir Putin apparently isn't fazed by economic sanctions. It's not clear what the West can do to deter him. Decoder Buzz Confessions of a Washington tan suit wearer (+video) Tan suits aren't that bad. What’s been lost in a lot of the Twitter uproar is that they used to be standard Washington summer wear for men. This writer had three of them and wore one virtually every day from May to October. Decoder Voices Why Obama's 'we don't have a strategy yet' on Islamic State is good, for now President Obama's statement that 'we don't have a strategy yet' for dealing with the Islamic State fired up critics. But if a more comprehensive military response is needed, Congress needs to be part of the discussion. Decoder Voices How should Hillary Clinton deploy Bill in 2016? Data show that voters' opinions of Bill Clinton have a significant impact on their opinions of Hillary Clinton, and the connection is strongest among independents and Republicans. Decoder Voices Britain poorer than all US states except Mississippi According to one calculation, the United Kingdom would be the second-poorest US state. More than that, Americans are richer at almost every income level. The US just has more money. Decoder Voices Congress must vote before we expand the attacks on Islamic State The steady increase of US airstrikes against Islamic State targets in northern Iraq raises the prospect of a war powers fight with Congress on the eve of midterm elections – and none too soon. Decoder Buzz How much does Malia Obama tip? A brush with American royalty. (+video) It's Washington, so sometimes your barista daughter just might wait on the president's daughter. But it's still a hoot, and Malia Obama seemed, well, normal. Decoder Buzz Poll shows Mitt Romney leads in Iowa. Does that matter? (+video) When the Mitt Romney name is added to the list of potential GOP White House candidates, he sweeps the field. But he says he has no interest in another run – and he probably means it. Decoder Buzz Is Obama dragging Democratic Party down? President Obama’s sagging job approval numbers are one big reason that forecasters say the odds are good the Senate will swing the GOP’s way. But other factors are weighing on Democratic chances, too. Loading... Could you pass a US citizenship test? Find out. View Gallery About these ads Popular Now Obama ponders action against Islamic State extremists. What do Americans think? (+video) California's 'yes means yes' bill: how it addresses campus sexual assault Google delivery drone takes to the skies with 'Project Wing' (+video) 'Sparky' and its new stars give clues to how massive galaxies evolve Why Moms target Kroger stores for next firearms ban (+video) 4 Free issues Subscribe About these ads About these ads Global Galleries Photos of Labor Day weekend Editors' picks Cover Story Behind the gavel of America's busiest judge Doing Good No supermarkets, so 130 community gardens help to feed a city Modern Parenthood Back to school in conflict zones: Lessons from Israel, Gaza, and Pakistan Innovation Jennifer Lawrence nude photo hack could be first of its kind Culture Cafe 'Ghostbusters': The comedy is back in theaters for its 30th anniversary Book Reviews 'Bob, Son of Battle' comes alive in a wonderful new edition USA Update Why Moms target Kroger stores for next firearms ban (+video) Stir It Up! 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