December 16, 2013

This issue focused on the political landscape heading into the 2014 midterm elections, with Jay Cost's cover story arguing that the terrain looked surprisingly favorable for the GOP. The magazine examined Obama's collapsing poll numbers through Fred Barnes' analysis and Richard Samuelson's reflection on the tea party's influence as it marked its fifth anniversary. Additional coverage included Michael R. Strain's examination of long-term unemployment and conservative policy solutions, while various other articles tackled topics ranging from contractor oversight to criminal justice reform.