Outside the Beltway

Why blaming “the Democrats” or even “leadership” ignores a basic fact of American politics.

What the shutdown should have been about.

A lot of pain for . . . not much.

The standoff is in its 35th day.

He filibustered nothing for a very long time.

The Democratic gadfly is performatively ‘leaving’ the party.

Because of course she is.

Seeing no way to win under their own label, they’ve called a Hail Mary.

It’s Manchin-approved.

Deal-making in Washington is next to impossible.

A startling number than may understate the problem.

The transition is on pace despite President Trump’s best efforts.

Far-left Democrats in Arizona want to punish Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema for being exactly the kind of Senator she said she’d be when she ran for office a year ago.

Yet another violation of norms by the 45th President.

As the shutdown enters its thirty-fourth day and the Senate gets ready to vote on proposals that have no chance of succeeding, Democrats are preparing a new proposal.

After roughly a week of staying silent, President Trump decided last night to openly mock Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.

Republicans are at least a bit more confident that they’ll hold on to the Senate this year.

With a third Democrat crossing the aisle to support her, Gina Haspel now has the votes she needs to become the next C.I.A. Director.

Gina Haspel faced some tough questions from Democrats regarding her role in the C.I.A.’s post-9/11 torture programs, but she’s likely to be confirmed anyway.

Profiles in courage? With Republicans in the Trump Era, it’s more like profiles in cowardice.

Despite what his own intelligence chiefs are saying, President Trump still does not believe that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

Getting to a DACA deal isn’t going to be easy.

Susan Collins will stay in the Senate rather than running for Governor of Maine next year.

Even with the revelations of the last three weeks, impeaching the President is still largely a fantasy.