Florida Sets Up Governor’s Race Between Trump Republican And Black Progressive Democrat

Florida voters in the Republican and Democratic parties have set up a Gubernatorial race that provides a stark choice on the table for Sunshine State voters in a race that will likely have national implications moving forward.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Trump Reportedly Nixed White House Plans For Laudatory Statement About McCain

President Trump reportedly vetoed a plan to issue a statement lauding Senator John McCain after he died on Saturday.

Gary Johnson Enters Senate Race In New Mexico

Gary Johnson was a successful two-term Governor in New Mexico. Now he’s making a bid to represent the Land of Enchantment in the U.S. Senate.

Trump’s Master Plan for Tariffs

I have heard Trump supporters offer the following rationale for Trump’s tarris, “It is a bargaining strategy.” Then they sit back and smirk, and tell me, “Trump really wants zero tariffs, but to get these other countries to come to the table he has to get their attention. And once he has softened them up, they’ll be willing to reduce their tariffs.”

Third-Party Candidate Could Pose Problems For GOP Hopes Of Flipping West Virginia

Don Blankenship, who came in third in the Republican Primary in West Virginia earlier this year, is moving forward with plans to run as a third-party candidate in the General Election.

Kissinger: ‘We are in a Very, Very Grave Period for the World’

The 95-year-old elder statesman is slowly shedding his public reticence at the risk of the access on which he has built his fortune.

No Matter What Comes Out Of Helsinki, Putin Has Already Won

Even if all he gets out of the Helsinki Summit is a handshake and a photograph, Vladimir Putin has already won.

Madison, Will, and the Ambitions of the GOP

Madison was right about politicians and ambition. He just didn’t see the how it would all play out.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban On “Political Apparel” At Polling Places

In a significant First Amendment ruling, the Supreme Court has held that a Minnesota law barring “political apparel” at polling places is unconstitutional.

Canadians Not Too Happy About Trump’s Attacks On Trudeau

Not surprisingly, Canadians aren’t very happy about President Trump’s attacks on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump Is Achieving Putin’s Goal Of Driving A Wedge Between The U.S. And Its Allies

Thanks to Donald Trump, the happiest man in the world right now is Vladimir Putin.

American Ambassador To Germany Raising Concerns About Interference In European Politics

The new American Ambassador to Germany is making what clearly seem to be inappropriate statements about domestic politics in Europe.

Trump Administration Argues It Didn’t Need Congressional Authorization To Attack Syria

Echoing the Obama Administration, the Trump Administration is arguing that it did not need Congressional authorization to attack Syria earlier this year.

Effort To Liberalize Abortion Laws Shifts To Northern Ireland

The overwhelming success of the abortion referendum in Ireland is leading to calls for similar action in Northern Ireland, but it won’t be easy.

Percentage Of Americans Professing “No Religion” On The Rise

The number of Americans professing no religious affiliation is on the rise. This will have some interesting cultural and political implications.

The “Post-Truth” Era?

General (Retired) Michael Hayden has some harsh, and concerning, criticisms of the Trump administration.

Tim Pawlenty Running For Minnesota Governor Again

Tim Pawlenty is attempting a comeback in Minnesota. It won’t be easy.

Democrats Need A Big Wave To Take Back The House. They Might Not Get It.

If the polls are any indication, Democrats may fall short in their bid to take back the House in November.

Angela Merkel Reaches Coalition Agreement With S.P.D.

After six months, Angela Merkel has apparently succeeded in forming a coalition government.

Hyperpartisanship Continues To Ruin Our Political Culture And Our Country, And We’re Letting It Happen

The tragedy in Florida last week revealed once again how hyperpartisanship is destroying our politics and harming the country.

Ireland To Vote On Referendum Liberalizing Abortion Laws

In May, Irish voters will vote on a referendum to remove the near-universal ban on abortion in the nation’s Constitution. And it looks as though it will pass.

A Return to “a Republic, not a Democracy”

And a little Electoral College for good measure.

A Strong, But Not Spectacular, Report On Economic Growth

The economy grew in the final quarter of 2017, but at a slower pace than earlier in the year and far slower than what the President has promised.

Democrats Facing Blowback From The Left Over Deal To End Shutdown

The deal that led to the end of the Federal Government shutdown isn’t sitting well with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Republicans Say They Have a Final Tax Bill, But Senate Democrats Want A Delay

House and Senate Republicans say they have reached agreement on a final tax bill, and Democrats are engaging in an effort to delay a vote in the Senate until Doug Jones can be seated.

Robert Mugabe Resigns As President Of Zimbabwe

After nearly four decades in power, Robert Mugabe has stepped down after a military coup. What happens next is another, more complicated, question.

The Roy Moore Case Has Become The Focal Point In The Republican Civil War

The differing reactions among Republicans in Washington and the base of the Republican Party to the charges against Roy Moore have enhanced a civil war inside the Republican Party.

An Analogy on Hierarchy (and the Lack thereof) in Party Behavior

An attempt to explain the consequences of institutional design.

The Roy Moore Case and the Nature of US Political Parties

The Moore situation illustrates the nonhierarchical nature of US parties. This is nothing new.

Spanish Prime Minister To Remove Catalonia’s Government From Power

Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy has said he will act to remove Catalonia’s pro-independence leadership from power.

Obama Blasts Trump’s ‘Politics Of Division’

President Obama spoke out yesterday against his successor and the America he has created.

Is Centrism A Viable Political Strategy? It Sure Doesn’t Look Like It

The ‘No Labels’ movement is back, and it’s as irrelevant to contemporary politics as ever.

Democratic States Sue Trump Administration Over Decision To End DACA

As expected, a group of Democratic states is suing the Trump Administration over the decision to end the DACA program.

The FARC Makes the Official Transition to Political Party

A key step in the Colombian peace process.

On Repeal of the 17th Amendment

Ignorance of history and process is a hallmark 17th Amendment repeal arguments.

Baby Boomers No Longer The Majority Of U.S. Voters

A new study shows that Baby Boomers no longer account for the largest segment of voters in the United States.

Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Case On Partisan Gerrymandering

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear its first case on partisan gerrymandering in more than ten years, but opponents of the practice shouldn’t start celebrating just yet.

Macron’s Centrist Party Scores Big Wins In French Legislative Elections

The political party formed by French President Emmanuel Macron just about a year ago scored big wins in yesterday’s first round of legislative elections.

Bombing At Ariana Grande Concert In Manchester, England Kills 22, Wounds Dozens

A night of carnage and depravity in the United Kingdom.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Impeachment Talk Grows, But It’s Not Going To Happen Anytime Soon

Even with the revelations of the last three weeks, impeaching the President is still largely a fantasy.

The Power of Primaries

As usual, an attempt to explain congressional behavior brings us back to the issue of our basic institutions. The way we elect congress matters.

The First 100

An assessment of the 45th President’s first 100 days.

Trump Supporters Starting To Lose Faith?

One month in, some Trump supporters are starting to wonder if he will actually deliver on what he promised.

Donald Trump Is President, America Will Survive This

While vigilance is called for, America will survive Donald Trump just as it has survived everything else we’ve faced since the nation’s founding.

Donald Trump Is Time’s ‘Person Of The Year’

In the end, there was no other logical choice.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Senate Over Merrick Garland Nomination

A Federal Judge has dismissed a lawsuit that tried to make an end-run around the Senate and put Merrick Garland on the Supreme Court.

Donald Trump: Establishment Candidate

On Tuesday night the Establishment won and won yuge. (From new OTB contributor, Michael Bailey)

No, The Democratic Party Is Not ‘Decimated’

Reports of the demise of the Democratic Party have been greatly exaggerated.