Outside the Beltway

A Federal Appeals Court struck down an Amendment to the Michigan Constitution today as unconstitutional.

In a column about American Exceptionalism, a newspaper columnist makes a bizarre historical analogy.

By engaging in a blatantly unconstitutional prosecution of Pastor Terry Jones, Dearborn has actually boosted his nonsensical cause.

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.

Republicans in Idaho are talking about resurrecting the foolish and discredited idea of nullification as a weapon in the fight against ObamaCare.

150 years ago, President-Elect Abraham Lincoln was presented with a chance to avert Civil War. He passed it up, and we should be glad that he did.

The filibuster reform package that Senate Democrats unveiled yesterday has much to recommend to it. Unfortunately, it’s probably doomed.

The author of AZ’s SB1070 has a new idea.

Those who argue that tariff increases, and not slavery, were the key reason for secession have some basic problems with the historical sequence.

While not inherently unconstitutional, lame duck Congresses have the potential for violating the spirit of the Constitution and create the potential for mischief on the part of Representatives who have been thrown out of office.

Republicans are making some big promises to try to lure West Virginia Senator-elect Joe Manchin to cross the aisle.

As impressive as Republican gains in this week’s elections were at the national level, they were even more so in state legislative races. Which means Republicans are in position to consolidate and expand upon their recent gains.

Thomas Friedman engages in some early speculation about a serious third party presidential run. As usual, such speculation ignores the basic structures of American politics.

A new projection of Congressional reapportionment shows a dramatic shift to traditionally Republican states in the South and Southwest.

Another political analyst is out with a 2010 prediction that should make Democrats very nervous.

Everyone seems to agree that the new 1099 reporting requirements contained in the health care reform bill are a bad idea, but nobody wants to take the time to repeal them.

The Electoral College is the worst way to elect a President, except for all the others.

Massachusetts will become the latest state to join the National Popular Vote movement, a compact wherein states throw their Electoral College votes to the nationwide winner once enough states agree to ensure that outcome.

A new poll shows that Americans have some odd ideas about the Constitution, and how to change it.