Outside the Beltway

Sarah Palin spoke about Ronald Reagan last night, but seems to have forgotten the optimism that is part of The Gipper’s legacy.

The debate over Senator Rand Paul’s proposed $500 billion spending cut plan has focused almost exclusively on one issue, and one nation.

Virginia Thomas’s political activism is once again a political issue.

Glenn Beck seems to have more in common with End Time preachers than he does with a serious political analyst.

In response to charges that it was attempting restrict abortion access beyond the boundaries of the Hyde Amendment, the GOP has agreed to drop the phrase “forcible rape” from its abortion bill.

Clarence Thomas has amended 13 years’ worth of disclosure reports.

Comedienne Joan Rivers tells Howard Stern why she ditched a joke calling Michelle Obama “Backie O.”

Sarah Palin’s unfavorability ratings continue to climb. And there’s very little room for her recovery.

George Allen is running for his old Senate seat.

Palin’s “blood libel” speech continued to keep here in the conversation about Tucson, and not in a positive way.

Over the past two days, Sarah Palin has become the center of the media firestorm over the tragic shootings in Arizona, she doesn’t belong there.

The tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Arizona has started another debate about political rhetoric. It’s a stupid debate, and it’s utterly pointless.

More breaking news on the shooting-in this case, about the shooter.

The filibuster reform package that Senate Democrats unveiled yesterday has much to recommend to it. Unfortunately, it’s probably doomed.

Why is the press gushing over routine movement in White House team?

Those who argue that tariff increases, and not slavery, were the key reason for secession have some basic problems with the historical sequence.

The new House Republican majority will force lawmakers to vote when they want to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, publish committee attendance records, ban former members from lobbying in the House gym and require new mandatory spending to be offset by cuts to other programs.

The incoming House Republicans aren’t making a good first impression.

John Boehner’s whining about being called a “hostage taker” by President Obama is reminiscent of Newt Gingrich’s whining about being “snubbed” on Air Force One.

President Obama is already taking heat from the left for his compromise on tax cut extensions, but will it actually hurt him in the end?

Incoming House Speaker John Boehner plans a radical overhaul of how Congress spends our money.

Is President Obama’s Federal pay freeze a sign that he’s moving to the right, or just pointless symbolism?

McCain brings up “regime change” in re: the DKRP and China apparently isn’t doing enough.

Within the first few months of 2011, Congress will be required to take another unpalatable vote to raise the debt ceiling. Already, some incoming Republicans are talking about waging an effort to block the vote. That would be politically, and financially, stupid.

Rush Limbaugh is apparently not impressed with Barack Obama’s presidency. That doesn’t make him a racist.

The Washington Independent goes dark in December, failing to find profitability in three years.

Newly elected Rep. Andy Harris was aghast when told his health benefits wouldn’t kick in until 28 days after his swearing-in.

The GOP is being urged to avoid social issues and concentrate on reducing spending, shrinking government, and economic freedom. It’s a good idea.

Okahoma’s James Inhofe has a message for the Tea Party movement — don’t be fooled by the “War On Earmarks.”

There are grumblings from within the Democratic caucus in the House that Nancy Pelosi may not be the best choice for Minority Leader. Unfortunately for Democrats, though, they don’t seem to have a viable alternative at the moment.

NYT columnist Nick Kristoff says America’s income inequality makes us a banana republic.

Keith Olbermann was reportedly suspended for failing to apologize for making political donations to Democratic candidates, but it really seems intended to serve to justify the illusion that MSNBC’s programming is not partisan.

The race between Jeb Hensarling and Michelle Bachmann for Chair of the House GOP Conference is a microcosm for a battle that is likely to take place within the GOP for the next two years.