The Pence Gambit

The absurd notion that the President of Senate is the arbiter and judge of the electoral vote.

[Voter Fraud Graphic] [Voter Fraud Graphic]

Two Crazy Aspects of Trump’s Fraud Allegations

Granted, there are more than two. But from a political science/political history POV, these two stick out in my mind.

The Arab Spring at 10

Tunisia is freer but poorer than it was before Mohamed Bouazizi’s desperate act.

Republican Recovery

Further musings on the future of the Grand Old Party.

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

America’s Slow Presidential Transitions

Why isn’t Joe Biden President already?

The Flynn Pardon

Perhaps the most normal thing President Trump has done.

Biden SECDEF Pick on Hold?

Maybe it’s not going to be Michèle Flournoy after all.

Trump Has Already Stopped being President

He seems to have taken his ball and gone home.

GSA Head Refuses to Sign Transition Order

A nonpartisan official is refusing to do her duty.

Presidential Venn Diagram

Donald Trump is in a category by himself.

Jill Biden Plans to be First First Lady with Outside Job

A rather remarkable milestone in that it’s coming so late.

Biden Plans to Repeal Trump EOs

Governing without Congress has its price.

Biden Wins Pennsylvania and the Presidency

We have a President-Elect.

Biden Wins Michigan’s 16 Electors

He needs one more state to hit the magic 270.

Election Thoughts

A lot to think about, not a lot of conclusions.

A Weird Re-election Pitch

Usually candidates don’t talk about how bad things are across the country while appealing to be re-elected.

Could Biden Win Texas and Lose Ohio?

The state polling is not lining up along usual patterns.

Thoughts on ACB and SCOTUS in General

Some judicial alphabet soup in dialog with my co-blogger.

Pelosi’s 25th Amendment Commission

A clever political gambit that raises real issues.

In Case You Didn’t Notice, COVID Is A National Security Threat

The lawyers can’t clean up the mess left by the President’s sudden incapacity.

Age and the US Government

A pandemic and a government populated with people in their 70s and 80s.

A Defense of Expanding the US Supreme Court

It is about finding ways to combat minority rule.

Comparative Approval Ratings

Is Trump really an outlier?

politics outrage shouting politics outrage shouting

All’s Fair, Even if It’s Unfair?

A defense of the indefensible.

More on the Absurdity of the Electoral College

A game wherein one team has to score more points to win than does the other.

Some New Polls

New numbers show more consistency.

Post-Convention Reality Check

We’re winding down to Election Day. Where do we stand?

The Hollowed-out Party

The platform decision is emblematic of a Trump-led party.

A Bizarre Convention

The Republicans are putting on quite a show.

Culture and Institutions, Part 1

A partial response in the context of a complex topic.

President Donald J. Trump disembarks Marine One Sunday Aug. 9, 2020, at the Elberon Park landing zone in Long Branch, N.J. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) President Donald J. Trump disembarks Marine One Sunday Aug. 9, 2020, at the Elberon Park landing zone in Long Branch, N.J. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

Six Responses to Six Scenarios

Yet another call for military intervention in domestic politics.

Harris’ VP Chances Redux

She would hardly be the first running mate who criticized the nominee in a debate.

Trump Commutes Roger Stone’s Sentence

A shocking and yet completely unsurprising development.

Will Trump Quit?

I don’t see it.

Why Republicans like the Filibuster

It creates a veto gate that they are almost guaranteed to control when they need it.

Trump Pushing Out US Attorney Investigating Trump Associates

For the second time, the chief federal prosecutor for Manhattan has been fired.

An Amazing Sentence

An amazing statement from Bolton’s book.

Biden’s Record Gender Gap

If the Democrats win back the White House in November, it’ll be no thanks to men.

Biden in the Driver’s Seat

The Economist gives Joe Biden an 83% chance to win the Electoral College.

Another Blow to Accountability in Government

Trump fires another Inspector General.

There is no Switch, Redux

The status quo ante is not just waiting for us around the corner.

Whom do the Haters Hate More?

Some potentially good news for Biden,

Michelle Obama Shouldn’t Be Vice President

Especially for Joe Biden.

Joe Biden as the Next George H.W. Bush?

Dan Drezner makes an interesting comparison.

The Six Weeks we Lost, Redux

Trump’s performance during this crisis is a reminder that electing an amateur to the presidency is a really bad idea.

Tom Steyer Drops Out

The billionaire has decided to stop tilting at windmills.

On the Act of Voting

A discussion of what #NeverTrump means, on Sanders v. Trump, and some about the philosophy of voting.

On the Issue of (d)emocratic Nominations

Primaries are not all they are cracked up to be.

Bloomberg to Sell Business if Elected

The mega-billionaire commits to a path quite different from the fake billionaire currently in office.

The US’ Nonhierarchical Parties

Lack of control of label is lack of control, ultimately, of a party.