Outside the Beltway

To nobody’s surprise, Dylann Roof was convicted of the race-motivated murders in a Charleston church.

These are the possible outcomes (both probable and improbable).

Republicans sure have changed their mind about Vladimir Putin.

As we approach the vote, the fantasies keep coming.

The Federal Reserve Board raised interest rates for only the second time in a decade, but it still seems like it’s chasing an inflation monster that doesn’t exist.

Hillary Clinton’s national campaign wasn’t nearly as well-organized as we’d been led to believe.

Eliminating the department would mean parceling out most of its activities to other federal agencies, a sleight of hand maneuver that might create the appearance of smaller government but would disrupt the ordinary operations of the federal government. 

Congressional term limits are a good idea, but they are only a partial solution at best and may not be the best solution to the problems facing our political system.

A controversial member of George W. Bush’s foreign policy team is up for a post in Donald Trump’s State Department.

The head of the biggest energy company in the world is reportedly Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of State.

Good thing the world is a static, simple place…

An unsurprising win in the Pelican State.

New information raises serious questions about the integrity of the 2016 elections, and about Donald Trump and his supporters.

Another conflict of interest for President-Elect Trump.

Political upheaval for an important Asian ally.

Godspeed, John Glenn.

Notwithstanding the election results, support for eliminating the Electoral College is at a 20-year low.

As things stand, Democrats will have a hard time winning back control in the Senate in 2018.

Three of the top four national security positions in Donald Trump’s Cabinet will be filled by retired Generals. This isn’t necessarily a good thing.

In the end, there was no other logical choice.

Despite a video that clearly shows what appears to be cold-blooded murder, the trial of a South Carolina cop who shot an African-American man in the back while he ran away ended in a hung jury. Fortunately, this isn’t the end of the road.

Another day, another EC fantasy,

I’m in the New York Times’ “Room for Debate” with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Duke’s Peter Feaver.

An odd choice for HUD Secretary.

Another name may be on the short list for Secretary of State.

Another month of solid but not spectacular jobs growth seems to guarantee that the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates this month.

To the surprise of nobody who paid attention, Nancy Pelosi won re-election as leader of the House Democrats.

Donald Trump says he will ‘leave his business,’ but is providing very few details and continuing to leave the impression that he will enter office with more conflicts of interest than any previous President in American history.

His actions illustration how well the EC process is institutionalized.

Donald Trump resurrects an old debate and desecrates the Constitution in the process.

The players are almost completely set for France’s 2017 Presidential elections, and the choice seems likely to come down to center-right candidate Francois Fillon and Marine Le Pen, France’s Donald Trump.

Neither President Obama nor Vice-President Biden will attend Fidel Castro’s funeral.

Those who voted for him thinking he would be guided or controlled by more sober individuals or that he would start acting presidential once elected: you were wrong.

Just 1,436 days until Election Day 2020!