Outside the Beltway

Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas’ new book, AMERICAN TALIBAN: HOW WAR, SEX, SIN, AND POWER BIND JIHADISTS AND THE RADICAL RIGHT, continues a long tradition in political polemics.

President Obama didn’t use the words “Mission Accomplished” last night, but the message was the same.

America’s mission in Iraq is shifting from an active combat role to a smaller security presence. But the war that gripped our attention for years is now off the radar screen.

Barely half of Americans think Muslims have a Constitutional right to build a mosque near the World Trade Center and 18% think mosques shouldn’t be allowed anywhere. That’s why we have a 1st Amendment.

Sarah Palin decided to get involved in the “Doctor Laura” Schlessinger controversy, and in the process displayed a blatant misunderstanding of the First Amendment.

Sharron Angle’s views about the role of religion in politics are disturbingly similar to those of people who believe that the Bible itself should be the law of the land.

There’s a war of words developing between the Pentagon and the information-sharing website Wikileaks.

November’s elections will set modern records for most Senate seats and governorships on the ballot.

A growing number of conservatives are in dismay about the state of their movement.

In the first entry in this series we looked at a basic question of democratic theory. In this one, we look at whether the EC ever worked as the Framers intended.

The first in a multi-part series on the Electoral College.

The Anti-Defamation League has taken an unfortunate stand on a issue involving religious tolerance and bigotry.

Screaming at one another and treating political opponents as enemies doesn’t seem to be getting us anywhere. But is there a realistic alternative?

Why I wasn’t fooled by Barack Obama’s campaign promises to curb presidential power.

The concentration of policy wonks in the Washington-New York-Boston corridor produces skewed analysis.

Massachusetts will become the latest state to join the National Popular Vote movement, a compact wherein states throw their Electoral College votes to the nationwide winner once enough states agree to ensure that outcome.

“I don’t condone leaking secrets. But nor do I condone a policy that can only work in secret.” – Bernard Finel

The Internet has given us many good things, but it’s also led to a decline in political discourse that we’d do well to reverse before it’s too late.

Contrasting the treatment of two DOJ stories is a case study in media bias.

Some principles transcend political borders.

Andrew Sullivan is back from vacation and back obsessing over the birth of a two-year old kid in Alaska.

Is the left to blame for unpaved roads?

Oakland marijuana growers worry that regulation will turn their product from a niche specialty to a mass market commodity.

Will a debate over foreign policy tear apart the GOP ? Probably not.

The evidence that humans are irrational continues to mount. What does this mean for self-governance?

The Fox News headline “University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs” is grossly misleading.

Another new poll brings bad news for Democrats and the President.

David Brooks and Gail Collins debate the proper role for pundits.

Thomas Jefferson took great pains to hide the word he originally used for “citizens” in the Declaration of Independence.

Contrary to popular belief, Adolf Hitler didn’t come to power by democratic means or because of his ability to whip the public into a frenzy.

While praise for the military often goes overboard, the reaction to the McChrystal flap shows our armed forces at their finest.

Is it time to elect a President that doesn’t have that “lean and hungry look” ?

Americans on both sides of the aisle throw around words like “tyranny” and “fascism” about our system. But there are constant small reminders we are under the rule of law.

President Obama is following the example of his predecessors in abusing his power to enact his preferred policies. Has he gone too far?