Donald Trump’s Plan to Increase the Trade Deficit

Yet another example of why Trump and his views on Trade and the economy are contradictory and even incoherent. Not only should Trump be building his Great Trump Wall™ in Mexico he should be furiously working against any and all foreign investment in the U.S.

The Most Dreadful Inaugural Address in History

A speech traditionally used to unite was instead a continuation of a divisive campaign.

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House GOP Votes To Gut Independent Congressional Ethics Board (Update: GOP Pulls Rules Change At Last Minute)

On the eve of the 115th Congress, House Republicans voted to gut a key office charged with investigating Congressional ethics.

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Government Reports Strong Economic Growth In Third Quarter, But It’s Unlikely To Last

The economy grew strongly in the third quarter of the year, but it doesn’t seem likely to last.

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Republicans Cower In Fear In The Face Of Trump And His Supporters

Republicans are afraid to oppose Donald Trump for fear that his supporters will come after them.

As Expected, Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates For Second Time In Ten Years

The Federal Reserve Board raised interest rates for only the second time in a decade, but it still seems like it’s chasing an inflation monster that doesn’t exist.

Donald Trump: Establishment Candidate

On Tuesday night the Establishment won and won yuge. (From new OTB contributor, Michael Bailey)

First Clinton-Trump Debate Confirms Low Expectations

Trump had a much lower bar than Clinton going in. Neither cleared it.

What To Do About North Korea?

North Korea continues to advance its nuclear program but it’s unclear what anyone can do about it.

Post-Brexit, Both Of Great Britain’s Major Parties Are In Crisis Mode

One week after the Brexit vote, both the Conservative and Labour parties find themselves in chaos.

Hillary Clinton Is Crushing Donald Trump In The Money Race

Donald Trump has almost no cash on hand. That doesn’t bode well for his campaign going forward.

The Republican Exodus From Trump Quickly Becoming A Stampede

Republican leaders and politicians continue to distance themselves from their party’s presumptive nominee.

President Obama Formally Endorses Hillary Clinton

With the race for the Democratic nomination over, President Obama is ready to hit the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton.

Release Of Inspector General’s Report Indicates Hillary’s Email Woes Likely To Continue

The Clinton campaign probably thought the email story was behind them. The new report from the State Department’s Inspector General shows just how wrong they were about that.

Yes, The Delegate Allocation Process Is “Undemocratic.” So What?

There are many aspects of the way delegates to the party convention are chosen that is “undemocratic,” but it’s unclear why this is a problem.

Justices Sharply Divided In Latest Obamacare Birth Control Mandate Case

The Supreme Court appeared deadlocked during oral argument in the latest case dealing with the PPACA’s contraceptive coverage mandates.

Another Chaotic Nevada Caucus Helps Make The Case For Eliminating Caucuses Altogether

This year’s Nevada Caucuses are a good argument for why there should not be any more caucuses.

Trump Wins, Republicans Still Not Sure Who The Anti-Trump Should Be

Donald Trump is back on top, but the field below him remains as confused as ever.

Bernie Sanders Crushes Hillary Clinton In New Hampshire, But Clinton Still Favored

Bernie Sanders scored a big win in New Hampshire, as most people expected, but the look ahead still tells us that Hillary Clinton will eventually be the Democratic nominee for President.

Ben Carson Cuts Staff, Salaries, One Month After Raising $22 Million

Ben Carson cut his campaign staff drastically just a month after raising more than $22 million. Another sign of a dead campaign.

China’s Economy Appears To Be Slowing Significantly, And That Could Have A Huge Impact

China’s economy is still growing, but it’s most recently reported growth rate is slower than the nation has seen in quite some time.

W.H.O. Declares 2014 Ebola Outbreak Officially Over

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola Outbreak that began in 2014 to be officially over.

Clinton, Sanders Lead In Reports Of Fundraising For Last Quarter Of 2015

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders both released strong fourth quarter fundraising reports, as did Republicans Ted Cruz and Ben Carson.

NATO Admitting Montenegro As Full Member For Some Reason

NATO is extending full membership to the tiny nation of Montenegro, and there doesn’t seem to be a good reason why they’re doing it.

Obama Administration Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline

To no real surprise, the Obama Administration has rejected the application to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. It is likely to remain an issue in the upcoming Presidential campaign, though.

Senate Passes Two-Year Budget Deal

As expected, the Senate easily passed the two-year budget deal early this morning.

Obama Considering Plan That Would Get U.S. Ground Troops Closer To Front Lines In ISIS War

President Obama is reportedly considering a plan that would put American forces much closer to the ground war in the war against ISIS.

Canadian Voters Kick Stephen Harper Out Of Office After Nine Years

A political earthquake north of the border.

Waiting For Joe Biden

According to reports, Vice-President Biden may or may not be close to a decision about running for President, and he may or may not be running.

Bernie Sanders Jumps Ahead Of Hillary In Latest Iowa Poll

Bernie Sanders has jumped ahead of Hillary Clinton in the Hawkeye State.

Iran Nuclear Deal Now Virtually Certain To Survive Congressional Attack

Senate Democrats are now just one vote away from being able to block a veto override, meaning that the effort to block the Iran Nuclear Deal will most certainly fail.

As Hillary Clinton’s Poll Numbers Drop, Is A Biden Candidacy Becoming More Likely?

The reports about Vice-President Biden possibly entering the Presidential race continue to persist.

Trump as Perot 2.0

In 1992, an eccentric billionaire ran an independent campaign against a Bush and a Clinton. It could happen again.

Red States Eat Blue States’ Lunch, Grow Up to Be Blue States

Low costs and regulatory barriers are attracting people to red states–thus turning them purple and blue.

Infrastructure Funding Blues

The gas tax was last raised in 1993.

Can Congress Stop The Iran Nuclear Deal?

In the end, the odds that Congress can actually stop the new deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program are pretty low.

Hillary Clinton “Re-Launches” Presidential Campaign

Hillary Clinton opened a new phase in her campaign for President yesterday with a speech in New York City.

Bernie Sanders ‘Gaining Momentum’ and Drawing ‘Overflow Crowds’

The New York Times really, really wants a horse race for the Democratic nomination.

Bernie Sanders To Enter Race For Democratic Presidential Nomination

Bernie Sanders is running for President. He’s not going to win, but he’s not running because he thinks he can win.

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White House And Congress Reach Compromise On Review Of Iran Nuclear Deal

After months of resistance, the White House will allow Congressional review of any deal with Iran, but it may not hamper negotiations much in the end.

Everyone Hates The Cable Company, But This One Isn’t Their Fault

A tale of Kafkaesque torture by Comcast Customer Service reveals that the person who really made the mistakes here was the homeowner.

President Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

As expected, President Obama has vetoed the bill that would have authorized the Keystone XL Pipeline.

The Domestic Side of National Security

Another commentary on the National Security Strategy, this one at The Hill.

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An ‘Ambitious’ Yet Pointless State Of The Union, And An Utterly Pointless Response

The State Of The Union Address was more of the same, and the same will be true of Washington going forward.

Are 80 People Richer Than Half the World? Not Really.

While the issue of income inequality is quite real, Oxfam’s numbers are not.