On American Parties

More on primaries with a foray into Madison and the general politics of power-seekers and incentives.

The Flawed Nature of Representation in the US

Our representation problems are far, far more about structure than they are about the messaging of the parties.

Democratic Backsliding and the American Right

The only way to save our freedom is to destroy it.

Madeleine Albright, 1937-2022

A trailblazing diplomat has died at 84.

Dumping Russian Vodka is Stupid

It might feel good but it has zero impact on Putin.

It’s Not Time To Eulogize The Old Order

Pundits like Thomas Friedman struggle with premature prognostication.

On Moderate Legislative Power and Other Political Dreams

A bloc of moderates is not coming to a Senate near you.

Public Schools vs The Public

The pandemic seems to have broken the social contract.

The Disqualification Clause and January 6

A provision of the 14th Amendment to keep Civil War generals out of office is back in play.

Why isn’t Biden Magical?

Some pundits have high standards.

Civil Servants Aren’t in the Administration

An irresponsible Trump-era practice continues.

Capitol Riot: One Year Later

A roundup of reflection on a somber anniversary.

The Big Lie is Working

A majority of Americans are less than sure that Biden won the 2020 election.

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Kamala Harris is Frustrated

Apparently, getting her elected President is not a high enough priority in the Biden White House.

Airpods Airpods

Podcast Recommendation

Arend Lijphart on the “Peaceful Political Revolution in America” podcast.

Airman 1st Class Thadyn DuPont, an aerospace medical technician with the 137th Special Operations Medical Group, prepares to administer a coronavirus vaccine for an Oklahoma National Guard soldier at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 15, 2021. (Andrew LaMoreaux/U.S. Air National Guard photo) Airman 1st Class Thadyn DuPont, an aerospace medical technician with the 137th Special Operations Medical Group, prepares to administer a coronavirus vaccine for an Oklahoma National Guard soldier at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 15, 2021. (Andrew LaMoreaux/U.S. Air National Guard photo)

Oklahoma National Guard Vaccine Standoff

The politicization of the virus continues.

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Election Results Validate Everyone’s Priors

Too woke! Not woke enough!

Debt Ceiling Thoughts

American exceptionalism at its worst. (Plus some history!).

This Week in Bad Tweets

This time: Senator Marco Rubio.

Senators Graham and Lee Owe us an Explanation

Really, they owed (and still owe) us better behavior.

Thoughts on Partisan Cues and Filters

Thoughts on how we think.

Vaccines v. Monoclonal Antibodies

The difference is politics, not reason.

US-France Submarine Contretemps

American cheese will henceforth be known as liberté cheese. And not because of the metric system.

The Size of the US House of Representatives

It hasn’t changed in over 100 years (but the population sure has).

The Master’s Degree Scam

Most aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.

Allen West Announces Gubernatorial Bid

He will challenge Greg Abbott for the GOP nomination.

The Tragedy of Politicized Vaccines

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

Book Review: Kill Switch

Discussing the filibuster.

Sinema’s Misunderstanding of the Senate (and of Basic Politics)

The post really isn’t about Sinema as much as it about a theory of poltiics.

Unskilled? No Problem!

Are we thinking about job training all wrong?

Arguing Against Democracy

National Review’s Kevin D. Williamson advocates for less democracy in America.

Hypocrisy, Thy Name is McConnell

Another entry in the “stunning, but not surprising” category of political observations.

One More about GA’s SB202

And, really, all of this current wave of election legislation.

The Rise of Negative Partisanship

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

Yes, Presidential Approval Matters

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

Stop Blaming the Framers for Everything

America’s institutions are undemocratic but only some of them are a product of the Constitution.

Eighteen Years of Blogging

Some reflections

We Are Not QAnon Nation

Most Americans have never even heard of it.

The Filibuster Needs to Go

It is not a tool to foster compromise. It is tool of obstruction, plain and simple.

Judicial Supremacy Strikes Again

The bane of the Trump presidency is already thwarting President Biden.

Speaking of Reform

Let me point you to a reform proposal.

[Voter Fraud Graphic] [Voter Fraud Graphic]

Two Crazy Aspects of Trump’s Fraud Allegations

Granted, there are more than two. But from a political science/political history POV, these two stick out in my mind.

Cracks in America’s Election System?

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

Not a Coup Attempt

But, still very bad.

Facts over Feelings

A reminder that narratives are narratives and data are data.

Election 2020 Scenarios

Some thoughts on voter enthusiasm and EV scenarios.

The Shadow of 2000

The two parties learned different lessons from the last contested election.

What’s a Republic?

What meanings might the Founders have had? How should we understand the term?

Ranked Choice Voting Could Determine Maine Winner

The rules for counting votes matter.