Outside the Beltway

Ted Cruz kicks off with the first of what is likely to be a string of candidates getting into the 2016 race in the coming month.

Rand Paul now says he signed the Cotton Letter to strengthen the Administration’s bargaining position.

President Obama thinks that it would be a good idea if everyone were forced to vote. He’s wrong, and his idea is most likely unconstitutional.

Ben Carson doesn’t seem to know much about foreign policy or history. And he doesn’t belong on anyone’s list of serious Presidential candidates.

Two weeks after the email story broke, there’s no sign that Hillary Clinton is losing ground in the 2016 race.

He’s back.

After appearing to be behind in pre-election polling, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have secured a victory in Israel’s elections.

You should stop at three drinks. But you can stop there more than once.

Oregon has become the first state in the nation to adopt universal automatic voter registration.

Alec MacGillis argues for Slate that “Veterans Should Pay Taxes Like Everyone Else.” I agree!

Elton John is leading a boycott against Dolce & Gabbana.

A headline I did not expect to see, courtesy the Army Times: “Dakota Meyer engaged to Bristol Palin.”

Ubiquitous tracking isn’t all bad.

A brutal assessment of Chris Christie’s presidential chances.

The Atlantic’s Alan Taylor has 50 photos from 50 years ago.

Cornell math prof Steven Strogatz is very excited about Pi day.

The president is the commander-in-chief of the US armed forces. He’s not commander-in-chief of the United States.

Pope Francis says he expects to serve only a short period and plans to follow his predecessor’s example of retiring rather than waiting to die in office.

The 2008 runner-up has scared off all serious challengers for 2016. Why?

Despite the ongoing email controversy, Hillary Clinton remains well positioned heading into 2016.

Benjamin Netanyahu is trailing in the final polls leading to Tuesday’s election, but he still may be able to form the coalition needed to stay in power.

Freedom of speech means freedom for all speech, even when it is racially offensive.

Hillary Clinton addressed the week-long email controversy, but her explanations only raised new questions.

Don’t say “climate change” or “global warming” if you work for Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Senate Republicans have done more harm to the goal of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons than they have done good.

Amateurish? Condescending? Yes. Treasonous? No.

Wisconsin has become the 25th “right to work” state.

Thinking about comparative American struggles against tyranny.

Sadly whenever Alabama is first at something (save perhaps in football) it is never for something good.

The post title is quite the recurring question, it would seem.

What reporters see as stonewalling may be shrewd clock management.

A powerful Democratic Senator looks like he’s about to be in a whole lot of trouble.

The most ‘America’ story ever.

Another tone deaf action from leading Republicans.

The gang calling itself the Islamic State has destroyed another historical site.

February’s jobs report came in stronger than analysts expected, but wage growth remains stubbornly stagnant.

Teach For America novices compare favorably to veteran teachers.