F.B.I. Warns Of Russian Plans To Interfere In 2020 Elections

Counter-Intelligence officials are warning that Russia is preparing another election interference campaign for the 2020 election.

Foreign Interference in Elections

A law professor asks some interesting questions, but ultimately not the right ones.

Hillary Clinton Writes History’s Most Self-Serving Op-Ed

Having lost to him, she’s an ineffective voice on the matter of Donald Trump.

Bernie Sanders’ Rights Talk is Nonsense on Stilts

The Vermont socialist likes to invent rights that don’t exist.

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Politicians Blocking Citizens on Social Media

The Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez edition.

A Comparative Note on Prisoner Voting

Sanders’ suggestion is not as outside democratic norms as one might think.

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Obama Warns Democrats Against ‘Circular Firing Squads’

“We have to be careful in balancing big dreams and bold ideas with also recognizing that typically change happens in steps.”

On Democratic Responsiveness

A lesson from Puerto Rico and further reasons why the EC is a problem.

No, the Electoral College Wasn’t About Slavery

Princeton historian Sean Wilentz lays to rest a pernicious idea propagated by . . . Princeton historian Sean Wilentz.

Justices Divided on Partisan Gerrymandering

Oral argument hints that we may have a 5-4 ruling allowing state legislatures to continue stacking the deck.

Douthat Attempts a Defense of the Electoral College

Ultimately, it isn’t a very good one.

New Zealand to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons

Institutions matter. (No, seriously, they really, really matter).

Should Biden Commit to Being a One-Term President?

David Gergen lives in a fantasy world.

Comparative Electoral Systems Basics

Some context for ongoing discussions.

Media, Free Speech, and Violent Extremists

Free expression sometimes enables horrible crimes. How does a free society deal with that tension?

‘I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump’

The President’s latest ravings are “very bad, very bad.”

Congressman: Abolish Filibuster and Electoral College

Massachusetts Democrat Seth Moulton makes an argument familiar to OTB readers.

Low-Information Individuals, Motivated Reasoning, and Epistemic Overconfidence

Why rational discourse seldom changes the minds of some people.

Maduro Holds on in Venezuela

The key remains the military.

Despite Donald Trump, America’s Institutions Are Prevailing

It’s been a rough two years under Trump, but America’s institutions are surviving.

Judge Finds Trump Administration Broke Law With Citizenship Question On Census

A second Federal Judge has found that the Commerce Department violated the law when it moved to put a question about citizenship on the 2020 Census form.

The Saudis Tortured An American Citizen, Trump Looked The Other Way

The Saudis tortured an American citizen, but the Trump Administration doesn’t care.

In Response To Criminal Charges, Netanyahu Looks To The Right For Support

With criminal charges and an election hanging over his head, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking to the political right for support and survival.

Is Joe Biden Out Of Step In An Increasingly Hyperpartisan America?

In what was basically a throwaway line, Joe Biden said something nice about Mike Pence. The reaction from his fellow Democrats says a lot about our current political culture, and none of it is good.

Representative Democracy ‘Not a Day at the Beach’

Nancy Pelosi is tired of Democrats voting to please their constituents.

Benjamin Netanyahu To Be Charged In Criminal Corruption Case

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being charged with three charges of corruption even as he faces an election in just over a month.

Speaking of Elliott Abrams

And if you don’t know, now you know.

Violence on the Venezuelan-Colombian Border

US policy is creating nonconstructive confrontation.

Solving The District Of Columbia Problem

There’s only one solution to the D.C. statehood issue. It’s called retrocession.

Congress Moves Forward With Legislative Challenge To Trump’s ‘National Emergency’

The House of Representatives has begin the process of challenging the President’s recent declaration of a ‘national emergency’ at the southern border.

North Carolina Elections Board Orders New Election In Tainted Congressional Election

A North Carolina Congressional Election that was tainted by Absentee Ballot Fraud will be redone.

Time to Reconsider New York Times v Sullivan?

Justice Clarence Thomas argues that a 55-year-old precedent should be overturned.

Some Context for Presidential “Emergency Powers”

There is a bit of a disjuncture between the terminology and the reality (but that does not excuse Trump’s current actions).

Regarding Trump’s Declaration

Some thoughts on the current mess.

Trump’s ‘National Emergency’ And The Law

President Trump’s impending decision to declare a national emergency to get funding for his border wall will quickly face serious legal challenges. It may be more vulnerable than the White House suspects.

Eric Holder 2020?!

The former Attorney General is seriously pondering a presidential bid. Seriously.

The Phony Arguments Against Withdrawing From Afghanistan

The arguments against withdrawing American forces from Afghanistan are becoming weaker and weaker.

Elizabeth Warren Formally Enters Presidential Race

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is the latest entrant into an already crowded field for the Democratic nomination.

McConnell Opposes National Holiday for Voting

His critique is rather telling.

No, Trump is Not ‘Authoritarian’

The President is an ignoramus and a blowhard and a petulant child but he’s operating within the Constitutional limits of his office.

Pelosi Getting Too Much Credit for Shutdown ‘Win’

The Speaker was dealt a winning hand and played it with the skill of a seasoned pro. But the outcome was all but inevitable.

Venezuelan Crisis Enters A New Stage

The situation in Venezuela entered a new stage yesterday as opposition leader Juan Guaidó claimed the nation’s Presidency.

Larry Hogan As A 2020 GOP Challenger To Trump?

Could Maryland Governor Larry Hogan be just the kind of Republican to challenge Trump in 2020?

The SOTU Folderol

Thoughts on politics and constitutional powers.

Trump Exceedingly Unlikely to be Removed from Office, No Matter What

A leading conservative makes a truly bizarre defense of the President.

Political Temper Tantrums and the Constitution

The efforts by Speaker Pelosi and President Trump to leverage their institutional powers raise interesting questions.

Temper Tantrums Abound As Shutdown Continues

As the government shutdown continues, Washington is coming to resemble a fight between toddlers. Except the toddlers have the excuse of not knowing any better.

Theresa May Survives No-Confidence Vote But The Future Remains Unclear

Theresa May survived the Labour Party’s call for a no-confidence vote, but the future for her and for her country remain as hazy as ever.

Nancy Pelosi To Trump: Cancel The State Of The Union Until The Government Reopens

Nancy Pelosi is “suggesting” to the President that the State of the Union be rescheduled for a time after the government shutdown ends, but it clearly seems like more than just a suggestion.

Brexit Faces Decisive Vote In House Of Commons

Later today, Theresa May’s Brexit deal will face a decisive vote in the House of Commons in a vote that could have implications for May’s own hold on power.