It’s the Media, Stupid

One thread that runs through most explanations for Tuesday’s result.

The Trump Realignment

Not a Red Wave but a Red Shift?

It’s the Institutions, Stupid

A different take on our political realignment.

Gaza After Sinwar

Has the calculus of either side changed?

Dumb Critique or Dumbest Critique?

Some Democrats are unhappy Harris is touting the endorsement of the Cheneys.

Image of a scupture of a snake eating it's tail. Photographer: Leo Reynolds Image of a scupture of a snake eating it's tail. Photographer: Leo Reynolds

The Fox News/Trump Ororboros

To what degree is right wing media shaping Trump’s view of Harris?

Biden Press Conference Doesn’t Stop Bleeding

A relatively strong performance doesn’t change the narrative.

Jamaal Bowman Defeated in Primary

The Gaza conflict has ousted a member of “the Squad.”

Greedflation Politics

Democratic strategists are complaining that Biden is being too honest.

Joe Manchin Becomes ‘Independent’

The Democratic gadfly is performatively ‘leaving’ the party.

Robert Kennedy Jr campaign speech Robert Kennedy Jr campaign speech

RFK Jr.’s Appeal

He’s more than just a kook.

Will Biden’s Israel Policy Matter in November?

Many Democrats are worried about the fallout.

Congress Passes Budget, Averts Government Shutdown

Five months too late, we’re back to the Biden-McCarthy deal.

A Modest Racial Realignment

Explaining the inexplicable.

photo of hand, light, dark, finger, consumption, flame, fire, glow, darkness, yellow, candle, lighting, heat, energy, help, burning, bright, hope, heating, match, ignite, resources photo of hand, light, dark, finger, consumption, flame, fire, glow, darkness, yellow, candle, lighting, heat, energy, help, burning, bright, hope, heating, match, ignite, resources

Burn it All Down

The politics of chaos.

Do Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden?

Ezra Klein makes a compelling case.

Trump and the Silent Majority

Republicans want him but do they really, really want him?

Early 2024 Polling

Election year is upon us, but the polling is still a bit fuzzy.

The Limits of Ideology

John Fetterman says he’s not a progressive.

Dean Phillips to Focus on White House Bid, Will not Seek Re-election to House

More importantly, comments on challenges to incumbent presidents.

President Joe Biden boards Marine One at the Wall Street Landing Zone in Manhattan, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 en route to JFK International Airport in Queens, New York. The Statue of Liberty can be seen in the background. President Joe Biden boards Marine One at the Wall Street Landing Zone in Manhattan, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 en route to JFK International Airport in Queens, New York. The Statue of Liberty can be seen in the background.

Old Man Biden and Young Would-Be Voters

The President has tepid support in the 18-29 demographic.

Weak Parties With Strong Partisanship

More on an ongoing saga.

The (American) Politics of Israel-Palestine

Pick a side. No nuance allowed.

Israel Forms Unity Government to Avenge Hamas Atrocities

Amid warnings of war crimes, no mercy is forthcoming.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich) Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich)

Charles “CQ” Brown Confirmed as Joint Chiefs Chairman

The Senate is voting one-by-one in the face of the Tuberville hold on top nominees.

Whither Centrism?

What to call non-crazies who aren’t Democrats?

Public Confidence in Military Lowest in Decades

There has been a steady decline the last five years.

Is This Time Different?

America survived a civil war and the turmoil of the 1960s. Can we rebound again?

Is Twitter DeSantis’ Problem?

A columnist argues his failed launch was emblematic of a larger problem.

When Does Politics Stop Being Politics?

When we do it, it’s negotiation. When they do it, it’s hostage taking—and terrorism.

President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine about the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel. President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine about the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel.

SVC, Bank Contagion, and Government Action

The Biden administration had little choice but to act.

Biden Too Old! Trump Pretty Old Too!

Another poll showing the same thing as the other polls.

Dilbert Canceled

Newspapers across the country are dropping the popular strip over a racist rant.

Zealots and Pluralists

A moderate Republican almost diagnoses the problem.

Kyrsten Sinema Leaving Democratic Party

Because of course she is.

The Centrist Fantasy

Can moderate Republicans take back their party?

Trump’s Run Exasperates GOP Elite, Thrills Dems

Some of the early reactions to the inevitable announcement tell the tale.

Pelosi Attack a Turning Point?

What will it take to end the cycle of violence?

Craziness, Disconnectedness, and a Toxic Political Climate Equals Violence

The attack at the Pelosi house should surprise no one.

Fetterman and the Politics of Optics

Will voters overlook the elephant in the room?

Fear and Resentment of a Changing America

A revealing comparison of Republican districts that deny and don’t deny the 2020 outcome.

Obama’s Top Economist Opposes Biden Debt Relief Plan

An unlikely source argues that it’s too big and poorly targeted.

Dems in Midterms: You’re Saying There’s a Chance?

A 2020 blowout has long been presumed. But maybe it won’t happen.

Learning From Joe Manchin

Has the frustrating process of securing his vote taught Democrats anything?

photo of working, person, military, construction, cutting, team, helmet, build, labor, job, workers, laborer, task, construction worker, sledge hammer photo of working, person, military, construction, cutting, team, helmet, build, labor, job, workers, laborer, task, construction worker, sledge hammer

The Coming Democratic Majority Isn’t Guaranteed

Ruy Teixeira finds that Hispanics aren’t yet woke.

64 Percent of Democrats Want Biden Replaced in 2024

With record-low poll numbers, the grass roots wants someone new on the ticket next time.

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Doves Split Over Ukraine

Foreign policy makes strange bedfellows.

White House Rudderless, Aimless, and Hopeless?

Some Democrats are less than pleased.

Unity My Ass

Are you going to believe this index or your own lyin’ eyes?

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Earth Day prior to signing an executive order strengthening the nation’s forests, resilience to extreme weather events, and local economies, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Seward Park in Seattle. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Earth Day prior to signing an executive order strengthening the nation’s forests, resilience to extreme weather events, and local economies, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Seward Park in Seattle. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

The Messaging is Medium

The Democrats have lots of problems. Salesmanship is pretty far down the list.