“Hostages”

Trump is giving aid and comfort to insurrectionists.

Whither Centrism?

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

Never Trumpers Never Win

Being against something just isn’t enough.

January 6 Committee Public Hearings: Day 1

The laying out of the case begins.

What Are Police For If They Won’t Risk Their Lives to Save Children?

Despite their military trappings and propaganda, they’re seldom heroes.

OTB 2003 Revisited

A blast from the past.

President Ghani Flees as Taliban Reach Kabul

The mirage of semi-order faded quickly.

Are Moderate Democrats the New Republicans?

Reacting to the asymmetrical polarization of the electorate.

On Coups, Insurrections, and Security Theater

Reflections on the events of 6 January two months later.

Counterpoint: The House Managers Made Their Case

Of course, it depends on what case one thinks needs to have been made.

Former Right-Wing Media Star Turns Against Right-Wing Media

So, it turns out that Fox News wasn’t really all that fair or balanced.

Larry Hogan 2024

Could a blue state governor be the future of the Republican Party?

Is Partisanship a “What” or a “Why”?

The conversation continues. (Warning: it is over 3000 words).

It isn’t a Dirty Trick to Vote in an Open Primary

The plurality of New Hampshire voters are unaffiliated. Should they all stay at home?

Ratfucking the Democratic Primaries?

There’s a campaign to encourage anti-Trump Republicans and independents to vote in New Hampshire.

Former Congressman Joe Walsh Launches Primary Challenge Against Trump

Joe Walsh, a former Tea Party stalwart who served in Congress nine years ago, has thrown his hat in the ring against President Trump for the 2020 GOP Presidential Nomination.

Should NeverTrumpers Become Democrats?

A considerable number of Republican have effectively left our party over Donald Trump. Should we go all the way?

Larry Hogan As A 2020 GOP Challenger To Trump?

Could Maryland Governor Larry Hogan be just the kind of Republican to challenge Trump in 2020?

The Death Of The Weekly Standard

Thanks apparently to the fact that it remained unwilling to get in line behind the Trumpidians, the conservative owner of The Weekly Standard has shut the magazine down.

Trump Reportedly Nixed White House Plans For Laudatory Statement About McCain

President Trump reportedly vetoed a plan to issue a statement lauding Senator John McCain after he died on Saturday.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Trump Violates Yet Another Norm, And Possibly The Law

The President teased the Jobs Report an hour before it was officially released. This was both a violation of Federal law, and yet another example of this President violating long-established norms governing how politicians are supposed to act.

Donald Trump Is A Culture Warrior, Not A President

Donald Trump’s entire modus operandi involves pushing divisive cultural hot buttons.

Marginalization of the Far Right in Trump White House?

A bit of wishful thinking in the wake of Steve Bannon’s ouster.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Trump Administration Spends First Day Lying About Crowd Size And Attacking Reporters

The first full day of Donald Trump’s Presidency consisted largely of obsessions with irrelevant facts and outright lies.

Sometimes History Doesn’t Repeat Itself

Ambassador Karlov is mostly likely not a modern day Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Evan McMullin’s Presidential Campaign Not Going So Well

The “independent conservative” running for President is finding it hard to even get on the ballot.

It’s Too Late To Stop Donald Trump At The Convention

Republican insiders are apparently still looking at ways to stop Donald Trump at a convention. It’s far too late for that, guys.

David French Passes On Quixotic Independent Bid For The Presidency

The relatively unknown candidate that Bill Kristol floated as the “Never Trump” alternative has announced he’s not running for President.

Bill Kristol Reportedly Floating National Review Writer As Independent Candidate For President

Bill Kristol’s plan to stop Donald Trump involves a long shot independent bid for the White House by someone most Americans have never heard of before.

Stop Trying To Make Mitt Romney Happen

It’s not going to happen.

Bill Kristol Trying to Recruit Mitt Romney for Independent Run

Bill Kristol is continuing the #NeverTrump fight to its logical next step, trying to find a more mainstream Republican to run as an independent in the fall.

Donald Trump, Immigration, And The Republican Party

Once again, Donald Trump is succeeding because he is saying things many Republicans agree with.

Donald Trump On John McCain: I Like People Who Weren’t Captured

Donald Trump stuck his foot in his mouth again.

The New Republican Orthodoxy On Israel

More than ever before, even mild criticism of Israel seems to be verboten among Republicans.

News Media Mostly Ignoring Iraq War Critics

When it comes to Iraq, the media only seems to be giving Americans one side of the story.

Obama Aides Discussed Booting Biden From Ticket, Book Claims

The news that Obama aides discussed a change to the 2012 ticket is part of the latest Halperin/Heilemann campaign history.

The Enzi/Cheney Primary, Rand Paul, And The Wider Fight In The GOP

Some interesting taking of sides is already taking place in the GOP Senate race in Wyoming.

Conservative News Consumers Again Surprised By Obvious

The Hagel confirmation, like Obama’s election, was big news to some avid news consumers.

Republicans Will Cave On Tax Hikes For High Income Earners

Whether it comes now or in January, President Obama is going to win the tax debate.

Anti-Tax Orthodoxy Of House Republicans Looks Like It’s Ready To Crack

As we approach the fiscal cliff, there are signs that House Republicans may not be as rigid as they were the past two years.

Republicans In A Bind On Tax Increases

Political reality says that the Bush Tax Cuts for high income earners are likely doomed in the wake of the election, but the GOP will find it very hard to switch positions on this issue.

Romney Needs The “47 Percent” To Win

In order to win, Mitt Romney needs the support of a large segment of the 47% of the populace he wrote off back in May.

Mitt Romney To Announce Vice-Presidential Pick Saturday In Virginia, Signs Point To Paul Ryan

Is the the 2012 Republican Presidential ticket? We’ll find out Saturday morning.

Romney, Other Top Republicans, Mostly Silent On Same-Sex Marriage

Mitt Romney and other top Republicans are not taking part in the latest round of the culture war debate over same-sex marriage, for good reason.

Governor Romney, Just Release The Tax Returns And Get It Over With

Mitt Romney’s intransigence over releasing more tax returns is politically stupid.

Mitt Romney Has Some Very Disturbing Opinions On Presidential War Powers

Mitt Romney believes he could take America to war without Congressional involvement.