Outside the Beltway

Some 700 protesters were arrested yesterday afternoon after they shut down the Brooklyn Bridge for 2-1/2 hours, apparently mistaking it for Wall Street.

Pete Gent, the former Dallas Cowboy and Michigan State player best known as the author of “North Dallas Forty,” has died at 69 from pulmonary illness.

And, the week closes out with another round of rumors about New Jersey’s Governor.

Can someone who doesn’t look like a GQ model make it in politics anymore?

There is literally no interest in a Giuliani presidential bid outside of Giuliani and those who might be employed by his campaign.

Last night’s speech at the Reagan Library did nothing to stop people from speculating about Chris Christie’s Presidential plans.

Despite all the negatives going against him, Mitt Romney may yet be the inevitable Republican nominee.

College students finally seem to be listening to the market.

Like clockwork, the arguments for creation of a third party are popping up again.

When the old rules don’t apply anymore, the system breaks down.

Another round of rumors is out claiming that Chris Christie is thinking about running for President.

We may have entered a new and dangerous phase of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Obama explained his position on the Palestinian statehood resolution today, but one wonders if anyone listened.

Rick Perry’s speech criticizing the President’s policies in the Middle East raised more questions than it answered.

The public supports the Presidents tax plans, but will that matter on Election Day?

Some pundits on the right can’t seem to quit Chris Christie.

The second half of the President’s political strategy is in place. Don’t mistake it for a serious legislative effort.

Yes, Barack Obama is running for a second term.

Where do we stand after 224 years?

We’re getting close to the point where only two people on this stage will matter.

The economy continues to drag the President down.

Public disapproval of Congress continues to fall.

Far from being an existential crisis, the recent rise in public distrust in government is easily explained.

James Carville has some advice for Barack Obama. It boils down to “be like Bill Clinton.”

College towns and lily white enclaves top the list of best educated cities.

The President’s jobs push isn’t doing much to help his job approval numbers so far.

Businessman Bob Turner (R) defeated state Assemblyman David Weprin (D) in the special election for the House seat held by former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner (D). State Sen. Mark Amodei (R) beat state Treasurer Kate Marshall (D) in a special election for the House seat left open by Sen. Dean Heller (R), who was appointed to replace Sen. John Ensign (R).

In its upcoming term, the Supreme Court will examine the question whether police can track people via GPS without first obtaining a warrant.

Paul Krugman chose to mark the the 10th anniversary of September 11th with an odd blog post.

Was it wrong for the NFL to schedule its opening Sunday on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks?

Measuring our progress a decade after the 9/11 attacks

Whether it’s a “Ponzi Scheme” or not, Social Security has serious systemic problems that must be addressed.

America is discovering that throwing money at an industry in the hope it will create jobs doesn’t work.

Killing’s our business and business is good.