Outside the Beltway

After years of becoming more inclusive, the Conservative Political Action Conference is closing itself off to opposing points of view.

Once again, the debt ceiling deal is raising questions about the President’s leadership.

Did the debt ceiling debate reveal dysfunctional government?

Much like bills named for dead children, there’s a very high likelihood that any bill with “protecting children” and/or “pornographers” in the title is a) a very bad idea, b) a very stupid idea, c) of dubious Constitutionality, or, as here, d) all of the above.

Christine Lagarde believes the impact could be large and global.

Even if we adopt the “Cut, Cap and Balance” plan, tax hikes are a necessity.

The House Republicans are functionally insane.

It won’t go anywhere this year, but after 15 years someone is finally trying to repeal a bad law.

Where is the line on using the White House to further the president’s re-election effort?

David Brooks is mad as hell and he’s not gonna take it anymore.

How much of an American can you be if you are willing to wreck the economy for political gain.

It was a largely fruitless weekend in the debt negotiations.

Tim Pawlenty was the first major Republican to enter the 2012 race. He may well be the first to quit. If so, it may take a while to notice.

More than any other time in the past, the GOP is now firmly under the control of its most conservative members.

What exactly is the GOP trying to accomplish in the debt ceiling negotiations?

The draft ended in 1973. It’s effects still linger today.

Tim Pawlenty’s foreign policy speech shows him siding with the hawks, and joining in the neocon distortion of Reagan’s legacy.

A new Gallup poll discovers something rather obvious, but there’s still a lesson for the GOP.

The first Des Moines Register poll is out.

A victory for marriage equality in the Empire State.

A few Republicans have picked up on John McCain’s criticism of critics of the Libya mission as being “isolationist.”

Talks about a deal to raise the debt ceiling seem pretty close to collapse now that there are no Republicans involved.

For the first time since the end of World War II, the GOP is wrestling with two diametrically opposed visions of foreign affairs.

Contrary to what Senator McCain, seeking realism in military policy does not make one an isolationist.

Wearing a wire can come back to bite you.

Mitt Romney sought to clarify his pro-life bona fides yesterday. But, will it matter?

I’ve been arguing for years that what the Republican Party needs is to embrace its crazies and play more to racist elements in its base. It looks like someone’s listening.

A new Gallup poll has “Generic Republican” beating President Obama. Unfortunately, the GOP won’t be able to nominate this anonymous candidate.

The race for the GOP nomination is taking shape.

Despite one headline to the contrary, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger did not endorse Jon Huntsman as our next president today.

Grover Norquist believes ending government handouts must be offset by tax cuts.

WaPo’s Jackson Diehl asks, “Will the GOP nominate a dove?”

The debate format was the biggest loser last night, but there were a few memorable moments in New Hampshire.

Left-wing religious groups are firing salvos against the Republican Party on the basis of Ayn Rand’s “anti-Christian” influence.

Is it appropriate for news organizations to decide that the people don’t need to hear from certain political candidates?

America’s physicians are becoming more liberal in response to changing working conditions.

Once again, Sarah Palin has made herself the center of attention in the political world.

The GOP doesn’t have a charismatic superstar waiting in the wings. That’s okay.

Fox News chairman Roger Ailes has come to regret the direction he took the network after the 2008 election.