Outside the Beltway

44% of Republicans strongly disapprove of President Biden’s performance while only 22% of Democrats strongly approve.

Doing nothing is still a choice, and the legitimacy crisis is here, like it or not.

The President’s approval has plummeted, largely because of factors outside his control.

An amusing incident highlights how far we’ve fallen.

His explanation makes no sense. At all.

The Politician’s Syllogism rears its ugly head.

Thoughts on how we think.

While well-intentioned, the Chairman’s actions were illegal and dangerous.

When “the news” isn’t just “the news.”

The mirage of semi-order faded quickly.

Hungary is part of a broader global trend, but the real issue isn’t Hungary, it is the Americans who praise Hungary.

An interesting podcast conversation.

Democrats and Independents are losing their enthusiasm. But some perspective is needed.

We’re hurting the feelings of those trying to destroy the country.

Thinking about party evolution and behavior going into 2022.

Some people claim there’s a woman to blame.

Public health shouldn’t be made into a partisan issue.

It turns out a 51-50 Senate majority isn’t enough.

Yet another thing driving Americans apart.

Should he be worried about the appearance of partisan gaming?

The country is in peril.

Republicans are more partisan—and distrustful of government—than Democrats.

Assessing Republican strategic positioning (and the incentives in our system).

On fiscal policy and historical comparisons.

The President used his first speech to Congress as an attempt to unite the country.

A laser focus on the pandemic and economic insecurity has him in good shape at the traditional check-in point.

A recent report shows 78 of 435 seats in the US House are truly competitive.

An interesting but uneven debate.

Our current forms of collective action on guns have failed us.

Multiple indicators point to a decline in the representativeness of the American system.

Yes, partisanship is real. And it influences more than just voting behavior.

An explanation to a question you likely weren’t asking.

Reacting to the asymmetrical polarization of the electorate.

A story that is both unserious and yet emblematic of our age in a serious way.

Yet another reminder about pathologies of US democracy.

And a discussion of markets (and a warning about partisanship).

The reflections on the departed right-wing talk host continue.

An opportunity for unity and a restoration of normal order.

Some political history,

Our two-party system distorts the representativeness of our politics.

Yesterday showed that Biden understands the “dignified” part of politics.

Not of governance.

Arguments and analyses that are, well, turkeys.

Was Trump’s attempt to overturn the outcome a one-off or a sign of things to come?

But, still very bad.

Governing without Congress has its price.

We’ve just had an election, not psychoanalysis.

Up is down. Down is up.

Joe Biden’s chances remain extraordinarily good.