In politicians, the spontaneity gene is recessive. Vestigial traces are squelched by high-priced consultants. Watch “Meet the Press” any Sunday morning and promise to drink at every unscripted comment. You’ll never touch your Bloody Mary.

Among the many things we have to say goodbye to -- Charlie Sheen, Regis, a gallon of gas rounded down to $3 -- add the nose-to-the-grindstone governor who’s above engaging in national political battle. The last demilitarized zone in politics has been overrun.

A good litmus test of how far right a politician is leaning is the question of President Barack Obama’s place of birth.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, talks with Bloomberg's Al Hunt about House Republicans' budget cut demands.

If you’re a Republican thinking of running for president -- and who isn’t? -- the annual Conservative Political Action Conference is the base you have to touch.

President Barack Obama took bipartisanship beyond civility to gosh-darn friendliness when he ambled across Lafayette Square to speak to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Here’s some news to dry House Speaker John Boehner’s tears.

The U.S. Congress is not yet the Walton family, but at least if someone had yelled out “You lie!” during the president’s State of the Union last night, it would have shocked the body politic.

President Barack Obama’s announcement that he would require federal agencies to review regulations on their books and remove those that “stifle job creation and make our economy less competitive” made me wonder.

It’s a bad sign for civility when you can’t have a civil conversation about it.