Outside the Beltway

The Senate passed an immigration reform bill today, but it’s not going to go anywhere.

There seem to be some signs that defense hawks in the GOP are concerned about Rand Paul’s growing popularity in the party.

Marco Rubio has suffered a reversal of fortune among Republicans thanks to his role in the immigration reform debate.

A new theory circulating on the right asserts that IRS targeting of Tea Party groups had an impact on the 2012 elections by diminish the Tea Party’s effectiveness. It’s mostly nonsense.

There are risks to Republicans in blocking immigration reform, but there are also incentives for them to block immigration reform. Getting past that contradiction to passage isn’t going to be easy.

John Boehner clearly wants to see an immigration bill passed this year, but he has a very narrow path to victory.

Scott Walker could be the GOP’s surprise candidate in 2016.

The GOP seems to be making the same mistakes that led to defeat in 2012.

Marco Rubio is threatening to withdraw support for the immigration plan he helped draft, but I would suggest not reading too much into that threat.

We’re actually not speculating about who might be running any more than we used to.

Republicans are fighting over how best to deal with their demographic problems, but they seem to be fighting the wrong battle.

Is someone who’s only be a Senator for just over 100 days a serious contender for the Republican nomination in 2016?

For better or worse, the attack in Boston is likely to have an impact on the immigration reform debate.

The Senate looks like it’s about ready to take up a bipartisan immigration reform package.

The GOP’s decision to filibuster the Senate Gun Control Bill doesn’t make a lot of political sense.

The Republican field for 2016 is more wide open than any we’ve seen in a long time.

For the moment, Hillary Clinton looks unbeatable if she chooses to run in 2016

Senator Rand Paul has stepped into the immigration debate, but his plan is less than desirable.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul won a completely meaningless straw poll.

Senator Rob Portman changes his position on same-sex marriage. Another sign of the times.

Rand Paul’s filibuster has made him a darling among conservatives but it may not last.

Rand Paul’s filibuster is one that all American’s should thank him for that.

CPAC’s organizers have decided not to invite the most popular Governor in the country.

The GOP isn’t going to solve it’s problems solely by concentrating on “messaging.”

Ooops.

NYT Magazine asks “Can the Republicans be Saved From Obsolescence?”

A positive political climate for immigration reform.

A good start toward solving a long standing problem.

Marco Rubio has some good immigration reform ideas. Will his fellow Republicans listen to him?

Charlie Crist, run out of the Republican Party, is now a Democrat.