In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

Back in 1979, Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes asked late-night talk show host Johnny Carson, “Do you get sensitive about the fact that people say he’ll never joke about a serious controversy?”