A Core Problem of American Politics

The disconnect between perception and reality about elections.

The free high-resolution photo of street, bicycle, asphalt, vehicle, hat, park bench, homeless, stockholm, packing, baby carriage, drifter, norrm larstrand , taken with an DMC-FS10 01/29 2017 The picture taken with 10.0mm, f/3.8s, 1/640s, ISO 80 The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required. The free high-resolution photo of street, bicycle, asphalt, vehicle, hat, park bench, homeless, stockholm, packing, baby carriage, drifter, norrm larstrand , taken with an DMC-FS10 01/29 2017 The picture taken with 10.0mm, f/3.8s, 1/640s, ISO 80 The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required.

DC Homeless Encampments Cleared

The cruelty is the point?

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Fact Checking in an Era of Bullshit

One of the big ones has given up.

Rubber Stamp Congress

Things are not operating as Madison intended.

Newsom Flirts with a CA Gerrymandering Plan

Tit-for-tat is maybe good power politics, but is any of this good for democracy?

An Attempt at Blatant Election Manipulation

Trump asks Texas to further gerrymander the state.

Some Disturbing Puzzle Pieces

Thinking about ideology in the Trump era.

In Front of Our Noses: Media Intimidation

An attack on the First Amendment in plain sight.

Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions

A correct but disturbing ruling.

Trump Has Approved Iran War Plans

Whatever that means.

The Grift is Endless

Trump Mobile!

President Donald J. Trump is seen on a cellphone screen as he addresses his remarks at a White House Coronavirus Taskforce update briefing Monday, March 9, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen) President Donald J. Trump is seen on a cellphone screen as he addresses his remarks at a White House Coronavirus Taskforce update briefing Monday, March 9, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen)

Seeing Double on Doubling Down

Resisting gaslighting must be social. It’s crucial for those who oppose Trump’s falsehoods to remind each other, again and again, that 2 + 2 = 4.

Ten Observations About College Students

These sweet, anxious, thoughtful, and genuinely loveable students know in their bones that their future is deeply uncertain and shaped by adults who appear to have no idea what they’re doing.

On Messaging and Other Variables

Hint: another variables may be the key.

DLC 2.0?

Is it time for the Democrats to move to the center?

In Front of our Noses: Dictatorial Claims

Keeping a running list of examples of the dishonesty, unreality, poor governance, and authoritarianism of the Trump administration.

Oncologist: Biden Has Had Cancer For Years

Zeke Emanuel minced no words.

Trump’s New Voters Are Dissatisfied

Non-college-educated White men remain happy.

So Much Winning on the Economy Front

Are you tired of the winning yet?

The Authoritarian Fantasties of Stephen Miller

Habemus habeas corpus?

President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of Commerce Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in the Oval Office, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of Commerce Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in the Oval Office, Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Michael Waltz Out as National Security Advisor [But in as UN Ambassador!]

A major reshuffling of the foreign policy team 100 days into the administration.

The Poll is a Census

The country is not happy with Trump. Except for Republicans.

Democrats Less Popular Than Trump

The polls are showing a really weird dynamic.

Brooks Writes a Paragraph…

…and I write a bit more than that.

April 5, 2025 - Rally in downtown Boston, Massachusetts to express outrage at President Trump, his policies and his minions. April 5, 2025 - Rally in downtown Boston, Massachusetts to express outrage at President Trump, his policies and his minions.

The Backlash Has Begun

Nationwide protests yesterday show a growing outrage over Trump 2.0.

X/itter Reacts To The Tariffs

It’s like tab clearing, but for those with no attention spa… squirrel!

SCOTUS Rejects Trump Bid to Halt Foreign Aid

A seemingly obvious ruling was nonetheless 5-4.

Trump’s Very Long Congressional Speech Roundup

It made history in many ways.

That Hat

A symbol of party and person, not of country.

A Note on Ukrainian Elections

Countering Russian (and now American) propaganda.

DOGE is a Farce

Unfortunately it is a destructive one.

Legalizing Corruption

The 47th President had a busy Monday.

Shock, Awe, and Retreat

The 47th President is flooding the zone.

Musk’s Ascendance

This should be unacceptable, yet here we are.

Trump Deploys Tariff Hammer on Colombia (Updated)

More immigration politics.

Dealing With The Deluge

Coping in a second Trump term.

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith) President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

Bad Pardons and Outrageous Pardons

A difference in degree is a difference in kind.

Biden Pardons Family

It was a busy eleventh hour.

Trump and the Deep State at State

Normal transition . . . and potential red flags.

Trump and the Great Presidents

Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and both Roosevelts pushed the envelope, too!

Trump Launches Meme Coin, Earns $25 Billion

And so it begins.

Trump’s Mandate

About half the country wants about half of Trump.

Biden Declares Equal Rights Amendment Ratified

It is not ratified.

How Schumer Pushed Biden Out

The Majority Leader has a bigger role than previously reported.