Outside the Beltway

Is 435 the right number?

John Boehner’s position as Speaker of the House seems quite secure.

The House wasted a day yesterday, now it’s crunch time.

It looks like the House will be making its move before the Senate acts, but that may actually help resolve this faster.

A little noticed rule change in the House is arguably one of the main reasons we’re in a government shutdown crisis.

Reports of the death of the Voting Rights Act have been greatly exaggerated.

An ode to one-term Congressman Allen West.

Of the institutions designed by the Framers, the electoral college is the one that deserves the least amount of defense if one’s defense is predicated on assumptions of the genius of said framers.

A political scientist whose formula has correctly picked every presidential winner since 1984 says Barack Obama will be re-elected.

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.

Freshman GOP Representative Allen West is a loose cannon and unfit for office.

Should we assume that a deal will eventually be struck and simply stop paying attention to the debt ceiling debate?

Cynthia Tucker regrets her support for majority-minority districts.

A commenter asks, “Why does Wisconsin have a quorum rule if not for situations like this?”

One simple proposal on the size of the House of Representatives.

Is Congress too small and unequal to do its job?

The winners of state legislatures in November will have a great deal of influence over Congressional elections for the next decade. Should it be that way?

Senator Robert Byrd has died at 92, after years of poor health.

Contrary to popular belief, Adolf Hitler didn’t come to power by democratic means or because of his ability to whip the public into a frenzy.