Outside the Beltway

We give a small number of people a lot of influence.

Understanding the state of the GOP field requires recognizing that President Obama is actually pretty moderate.

New video plus a basic primer on Ron Paul’s newsletter situation.

A comment on the commentariat.

Newt Gingrich has fallen into a statistical tie with Mitt Romney in the latest Gallup poll, mirroring his decline in other recent surveys.

Gingrich has some pretty radical ideas about separation of powers.

There is a fundamental problem with the feedback loop in American politics.

R.I.P.

Except, of course, the parts he doesn’t like.

Feeling abandoned by the Republican Party, former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson is weighing a Libertarian Party bid for president.

Perry proves again that he really doesn’t know why he is running (plus a few comments on his proposal).

It is not unreasonable for Cain to look at the Perry campaign as the source of his current woes.

What exactly does George Will want out of the GOP?

Cain (like a lot of people) is confused about what the words “conservative” and “liberal” mean.

The BBC is reporting that rebels claim to have captured the ousted leader of Libya.

Some actual political science suggests that being an overweight male candidate may not be a negative for voters.

Beginning with “BREAKING: Witnesses reporting screams and gunfire heard inside Capitol building,” a series of tweets with the #CongressHostage hashtag have been decidedly unfunny.

These debates matter (if by “matter” we mean “affect the views that voters have of the candidates”).

A book could be written on this subject, but let me suggest the following as a good place to start

Why even have an electoral college?

The last two GOP debates have featured cheers from the crowd and responses from candidates that ought to be considered problematic.

Accusing someone of “politicizing” a discussion of 9/11 is like accusing someone of “athleticizing” a discussion of football.

Measuring our progress a decade after the 9/11 attacks

Many in the GOP do not like the idea of extending payroll tax cuts.

Asserting the Social Security needs reform is one thing. Asserting its failure is another.

Let’s see if there is evidence to support the assertion.

Madison went to Philadelphia wanting to increase the power of the central government over the states (quite a bit, in fact).

The US came a lot closer to something resembling a parliamentary system than most people think.

Comparing Bachmann and Palin in regards to managing the media.

How the reelection incentive and parliamentary procedure are affecting the debt ceiling debate in Congress.

I never would have negotiated in the first place.

Some things are worth repeating.

The Casey Anthony trials lends evidence to support Jon Stewart’s basic hypothesis about the MSM.

I have been only peripherally aware of the trial–and then only in the way that I’m aware of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and reality TV.

The US handing Libya over to NATO is “like Beyonce saying she’s ceding control to Sasha Fierce!” – Jon Stewart

Sunday afternoon musings on an electoral college sweeps.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Rick Perry makes a valid point about bringing the economy back to Biblical principles.

Newt Gingrich’s entire senior presidential staff has resigned.

Pawlenty proposes the “Google test.”

So, I walk by the office television set and the above picture of a shirtless man, allegedly New York Congressman Anthony Weiner, filled the screen.

Amy Myers, the sophomore who challenged Michele Bachmann to a debate on the Constitution, has been the target of vile comments on the Internet.

How much of public opinion is about tribal political identification and how much is about the actual policies themselves?

Is the war in Libya illegal?