Outside the Beltway

A few thoughts/historical examples, as to why I am guarded in my optimism on Egypt.

The military states that it will govern for six month or until elections are held.

Ellis Goldberg, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington and an expert on Egyptian politics, has a pessimistic view about the likelihood that the military is interested in democratization.

So, what are the constitutional provisions for presidential resignations in Egypt?

Hosni Mubarak has stepped down — for reals this time.

On the eve of this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, another shot has been fired by those boycotting the meeting due to the presence of a gay conservative group.

Four Senators who just happen to be up for re-election next year are silently looking for alternatives to the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.

Predicting (after a fashion) what the SCOTUS will do with the PPACA and a return to the Commerce Clause and the activity/inactivity disucssion.

New York Times writer Adam Liptak discovers that a Supreme Court decision protecting “corporate speech” might not be a bad thing considering that he works for a corporation.

It really shouldn’t be a surprise that that Democratic Leadership Council is on its last legs.

Oddly, the Democratic Party seems to be responding to the 2010 midterms by moving further left.

Hosni Mubarak may hang on to some semblance of power longer than many expected in the middle of last weeks chaos, mostly because there are few other alternatives right now.

President Obama’s approval numbers have dropped 9 points since the Egypt crisis broke out.

The end game in Egypt may be beginning.

Virginia will petition the Supreme Court to bypass the normal appellate process and hear the appeal of its lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act early.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s speech to the nation tonight seems destined to make the situation worse.

Breaking news from CNN.

A second Federal District Court judge has declared the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.

Revolutions don’t happen over a weekend.

One Republican Congressman is calling on President Obama to stand firmly behind our “friend” in Cairo, even though there’s little evidence we can trust him.

Actor Alec Baldwin is among hundreds being targeted by New York City for tax evasion. Is it reasonable to have to prove where you live?

The Illinois Appellate Court has tossed mayoral frontrunner Rahm Emanuel off the ballot, saying he didn’t meet residency requirements.

We won’t be able to solve our fiscal problems until the American people grow up. So far, there are no signs of that happening.

An obscure Arizona law has raised questions over whether Congressman Gabrielle Giffords could lose her seat if she is disabled for an extended period.

As noted recently, whites are leaving the Democratic Party in droves. Some black Democrats think it’s time to take affirmative action.

More on the strategery of civility.

The current approach of the GOP to health care is not dissimilar to its approach to fiscal policy: not a lot of substance.

The last thing that Haiti needed was for a former dictator to return, but that’s exactly what has happened.

Information made public by Wikileaks appears to have played a role in sparking the protest movement that has brought down the President of Tunisia.

Sarah Palin released a statement today about the Arizona shootings and the debate that has followed. It’s unlikely to help her.

Social conservatives are upset with CPAC again. This time, it’s because the conference they’re not attending has invited someone they don’t like.

The tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Arizona has started another debate about political rhetoric. It’s a stupid debate, and it’s utterly pointless.