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Mary Lynn Jones

Mary Lynn F. Jones is a Washington-based writer. Her work has also appeared in The Chicago Tribune, National
Journal, the Washington Business Journal and Barron's Guide to the Most
Competitive Colleges. A native Washingtonian, Jones has been a regular
political commentator for WMAL-AM and has made numerous radio and television
appearances, including on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation"
and Fox
News Channel. Mary Lynn received her master's degree in journalism from
Columbia University and her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.

Recent Articles

Republican Cowboys

Mary Lynn JonesMay 09, 2004

"They deal with us [Democrats] the same way they deal with our allies around the world: 'It's our way or the highway'," House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer says. "'You do things our way or you don't play'."

So last week, the House Judiciary Committee passed, with an unfavorable recommendation, a constitutional amendment sponsored by Democratic Rep. Brian Baird
along party lines.

All Republicans opposed it, while all Democrats favored it. Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner has a bill that would require special elections be held to fill House seats within 45 days if at least 100 members of Congress are killed in an attack. Baird's
amendment would allow for temporary appointments to the House in such an event.

Roadkill

Mary Lynn JonesMay 03, 2004

It's well known that Speaker Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are barely on speaking terms in the House. Now it looks as if the Senate's leaders may be next.

Majority Leader Bill Frist is waging an aggressive campaign to cost Minority Leader Tom Daschle his job. Frist is urging Republican donors, “If you can only make one more contribution to one of our Republican Senate candidates this election cycle ... you should make that gift to John Thune!”

Thune, who narrowly lost to Senator Tim Johnson in 2002, is now challenging Daschle for his South Dakota Senate seat.

Body Politics

Mary Lynn JonesApr 27, 2004

Hundreds of thousands of women turned out for the March for Women's Lives on Sunday to rally in support of abortion rights. But while the Republican effort to scale back abortion-rights victories has been relentless, abortion is just one of the areas in which women's freedoms are under assault.

As Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky told me, “There is almost a daily attack on the rights women have won over a really long period of time and programs … we never expected to be under attack.”

Repeat Offender

Mary Lynn JonesApr 20, 2004

There are a number of disturbing revelations in Bob Woodward's new book, Plan of Attack, at least as he explained it Sunday on 60 Minutes. One is that President Bush told National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice that he wanted to focus on Iraq five days after the September 11 attacks. Another is that he decided to go to war without first consulting Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Just the Ticket

Mary Lynn JonesApr 12, 2004

The New York Times reported last week that John Kerry hopes to choose a running mate in the next two months.

No doubt his rushed timetable is due in part to the front-loaded primary season. In addition, he could use the help a vice-presidential candidate will provide in the campaign against President Bush. With the September 11 commission and Iraq dominating the network broadcasts, now Kerry can spend a moment out of the spotlight to weigh his options.

I'll make a bold suggestion: Choose a congressional colleague as running mate.

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