Two Days Away, A Split Decision Congress Seems Likely

With less than forty-eight hours to go until voters head to the polls, the odds are pointing to a Democratic House and a Republican Senate.

Today in Terrible Columns

Bret Stephens’ piece this week adds up to not much.

Trump Ignores “It’s The Economy, Stupid,” In Favor Of Stoking Culture War Fires

Despite the relatively strong economy, President Trump and many other Republicans are relying on the politics of fear to drive voter turnout on Tuesday.

Trump Sending 5,200 Troops To Border In Response To Non-Existent ‘Caravan’ Threat

President Trump wants to send more troops than we have in Syria and Iraq combined to the border to deal with a non-existent threat.

Trump Says He Will End Birthright Citizenship Via Executive Order, But He Can’t

President Trump is now claiming he will end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants via Executive Order. He clearly lacks the authority to do this.

Democrats Poised To Win Back The House, But Fall Short In The Senate

With one week to go before Election Day, Democrats seem well-positioned to gain control of the House while Republicans seem likely to hold on to the Senate.

Trump Spins Tales About A Non-Existent Tax Plan

Donald Trump is talking about a tax cut that appears to exist only in his own mind.

Trump Blames Media For Poisonous Political Rhetoric. He Should Look In The Mirror.

In the wake of attempted bombing attacks on people he has criticized, the President is blaming the media for poisonous political rhetoric. He needs to look in the mirror.

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Trump Administration Moving To Make Transgender Americans Unpersons

The Trump Administration is preparing a policy change that will essentially define transgender Americans out of existence.

Beto O’Rourke Shoots Down 2020 Speculation

Some Democrats and political pundits are putting Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke forward as a potential 2020 candidate, but he says no.

Three Weeks Out, Polls Indicate A Divided Congress In January

With three weeks to go until Election Day, it’s looking like we’ll end up with a Congress divided between Democrats in the House and Republicans in the Senate.

Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Dies At 65

One of the people most responsible for the personal computer revolution has passed away at the far-too-young age of 65.

Voter Enthusiasm Shifting Democratic In Wake Of Kavanaugh Fight?

The first poll taken in the wake of the Kavanaugh nomination fight suggests the voter enthusiasm gap is shifting toward Democrats.

Federal Judge Strikes Down State Law Targeting Boycotts Aimed At Israel

For the second time this year, a Federal Court has struck down a state law designed to punish businesses that engage in a boycott aimed at Israel.

Ted Cruz, ‘Tough as Texas’?

Just when I thought political humor was dead.

Christine Blasey Ford, Sally Quinn, And Why Women Don’t Report Sexual Assault

Fifty years ago, a young college student who would become one of the most influential women in Washington was sexually assaulted by a Senator. She didn’t come forward with her story for more than fifty years, and the reasons why strike close to what we’ve been talking about for three weeks now.

Beto O’Rourke Doesn’t Necessarily Want Barack Obama’s Endorsement

Beto O’Rourke isn’t eager to get Barack Obama’s endorsement, but there’s a good reason why.

Brett Kavanaugh Confirmed As 114th Justice Of The U.S. Supreme Court

After a long and contentious battle, Brett Kavanaugh has been confirmed to become the 114th Supreme Court Justice.

Australia On Course To Wipe Out Cervical Cancer Due To HPV Vaccine

Thanks in large part to an aggressive public health education program and vaccination, Australia is on course to effectively eradicate cervical cancer.

Jobs Report Disappoints, U-3 Unemployment Number At Lowest Point Since 1969

September jobs growth fell short of expectations even as the top-line unemployment rate reached a point unseen since 1969.

Texas Trying To Force Students To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

The State of Texas is arguing in Court that a school district can force a student to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a blatant violation of the First Amendment.

Is the Federalist Society Nefarious?

By popular demand . . .

Kavanaugh Confirmation Vote On Hold Pending Renewed F.B.I. Investigation

Surprise developments yesterday led to a pause in the confirmation process for Brett Kavanaugh. Where it goes from here is unclear.

Republicans Proceeding Forward With Kavanaugh Nomination In Doubt

Republicans intend to “plow through” on the Kavanaugh nomination even after yesterday’s hearing, but it’s not clear that they have the votes to confirm him.

Ford/Kavanaugh Hearing Ends With Questions, Doubts, And Only One Option

After eight hours of testimony, the only impression a non-partisan mind could be left with from the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh is that we need a full investigation of the charges against the Supreme Court nominee. Unfortunately, we’re not going to get that.

Amber Guyger Fired From Dallas Police Department Over Botham Jean Shooting

Amber Guyger has been fired by the Dallas Police Department, now it’s up to the justice system to hold her accountable for her actions.

Could New Jersey Be A Stumbling Block For Democratic Hopes In The Senate?

In an ordinary year with an ordinary candidate New Jersey should be a slam dunk for Democrats. This, however, is not an ordinary year.

The Link Between Trump And The Tea Party

Trumpism is a direct by-product of the poisonous populism of the Tea Party movement, and they’ve both taken over the Republican Party.

Cook Report Moves Texas Senate Race To ‘Toss-Up’

While one must give the benefit of the doubt to Ted Cruz, the Senate race in Texas is getting very interesting.

The Year Of The Political Women By The Numbers

A look at the numbers behind the influx of women into electoral politics this year.

George W. Bush Won’t Campaign For Ted Cruz

Former President Bush has waded back into politics but don’t expect him to be campaigning for Ted Cruz.

Shooting By Off-Duty Dallas Policewoman Raises Far More Questions Than It Answers

The shooting of Botham Jean by off-duty Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger earlier this month seems like a clear cut murder. So why is she only charged with manslaughter?

Trump Spreads Lies And Conspiracy Theories About Deaths From Hurricane Maria

President Trump is apparently a Hurricane Maria Truther.

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Trump Could Find It Hard To Replace Sesssions

President Trump has made no secret of the fact that he is displeased with the performance of Jeff Sessions, but he could find it hard to replace him.

McConnell Throws A Monkey Wrench Into Senate Democratic Re-Election Plans

Mitch McConnell has a plan that could pose problems for Democrats fighting for re-election.

George W. Bush To Campaign For Republican Candidates

After spending most of his post-Presidency on the political sidelines, former President Bush is hitting the fundraising trail for GOP candidates in Texas and Florida.

Overturning Executive Orders Not as Easy as it Looks

Kevin Drum makes an important point.

Les Moonves Out At CBS Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

The #MeToo movement brings down the head of a Fortune 500 company.

“Subtract [Trump] from that equation…the numbers go up dramatically.”

As I have repeatedly noted: Trump is the leader of the Republican Party.

Kavanaugh’s Second Day Of Questioning Was Bumpy, But Won’t Derail His Nomination

The second day of questioning for Judge Brett Kavanaugh was a bit rockier than the first, but nothing happened that seriously threatens his eventual confirmation.

Burt Reynolds Dies At 82

The tough guy actor best known for the “Smokey And The Bandit” movies has passed away at the age of 82.

No Questions (Or Answers), But Plenty Of Fireworks At Kavanaugh Hearing

The first day of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings was much ado about pretty much nothing, but then that can be used to describe a process whose outcome is pretty much foreordained.

No, The Buffalo Bills Didn’t Cause The Oklahoma City Terrorist Attack

Author Sam Anderson puts forward a rather strange hypothesis in Politico.

Federal Judge Declines To Grant Texas Request To End DACA, For Now

A Federal Judge in Texas has declined to grant a request to bring the DACA program to an end, but its days appear to be numbered unless Congress acts.

Trump Administration Questions Border Birth Certificates

Passports being denied to citizens whose birth records are being questioned.

Judge Denies Alex Jones Bid To Dismiss Defamation Lawsuit

Alex Jones lost a bid to dismiss a lawsuit filed by families of children killed in the Sandy Hook massacre.

Trump Still Thinks He Did A ‘Fantastic Job’ In Puerto Rico

Despite the evidence, the President thinks he did a great job handling a disaster in which nearly 3,000 American citizens died.

New Report Estimates 2,975 People Died In Puerto Rico Due To Hurricane Maria

A new study concludes that the total death toll from Hurricane Maria was vastly higher than previously reported.

Senator John McCain Dies At 81

Senator John McCain has died at the age of 81,

Ted Cruz Vulnerable? A New Poll Says It’s Possible.

A new poll shows Ted Cruz in a much tighter than expected race for re-election, but it’s going to take more to consider Texas a state that Democrats could pick up in the fall.