Outside the Beltway

Politicians are, by definition, a bit abnormal. However, this year we seem to have more than our fair share of the truly odd.

Republicans are suddenly targeting — and Democrats in some cases are conceding — House seats that were until recently considered out of play.

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

After several years in the wilderness, Dick Morris has returned as a Fox News analyst and, bizarrely, adviser to several Republican candidates for Congress.

Christine O’Donnell’s victory in Delaware Tuesday has made it less likely that the GOP will be able to take control of the Senate, but they still have an excellent shot of making substantial gains that will transform Congress’s Upper House.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels appears to be quietly putting together the beginnings of a campaign for President of the United States. Don’t count him out by any means.

In comments this morning, Justice Stephen Breyer seemed to suggest that Koran burning might not necessarily be Constitutionally protected.

While Republicans will likely take over some key governorships and state legislature after November’s midterms, America’s changing demographics will limit their ability to gerrymander safe districts.

The winners of state legislatures in November will have a great deal of influence over Congressional elections for the next decade. Should it be that way?

The political fight over the extension of the Bush tax cuts took a very interesting turn today.

David Brooks blames our economic woes on a change from a culture that valued productive work to one of gentility. And Bill Cosby.

A new poll indicates that there are some disturbing motivations that seem to be associated with opposition to the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque.”

Ohio has long been a bellwethers state and, if a new statewide poll is any indication, it looks to be ready to hand the Democrats a very bad defeat in November.

Democrats are sending some of their candidates to the Death Panels.

Both the Constitution and the Federalist Papers, impressive as they are, must be understood in terms of not just applied political philosophy, but practical politics as well.

House Minority John Boehner is getting a lot of attention for calling for mass firings at the White House. The real news, though, is that his speech is shifting the focus of the political conversation back to the economy. Which is just what the GOP needs.

Why would returning to the system of allowing state legislatures to choose Senators improve representation?

America’s mission in Iraq is shifting from an active combat role to a smaller security presence. But the war that gripped our attention for years is now off the radar screen.

President Obama’s decision to speak out on the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” has turned what was a hot-button cable news item into a political issue that even his fellow Democrats don’t want to deal with.

The results of last night’s Colorado Senate primaries should be causing Democrats to worry.

Despite 9.5% unemployment, American firms are struggling to find qualified applicants for job openings.

How does the Electoral College influence policy and campaigning?

It was another bad day for Charlie Rangel, but something tells me he’s going to be just fine.

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.

Is the left to blame for unpaved roads?

Some Republicans seem to think they don’t need to put forward any actual ideas in order to win November.

Did LeBron James pick Miami because of income taxes ? Probably not.

Cleveland Cavaliers owner reacted to his star player’s departure with a scathing open letter. Was it fair?

Will LeBron James’s departure push upset Ohioans to the right ?

Barack Obama may not be doing much campaigning in the fall if recent poll numbers are any indication.

Two widely-hyped reports have Wall Street firms donating less money to Democrats as payback for financial reform efforts. But a closer look reveals no such thing.

Senator Robert Byrd has died at 92, after years of poor health.