Outside the Beltway

New information in the Dylann Roof case shows that the background check system used for gun purchases is still prone to human error.

Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is likely going to Federal Prison very soon.

The unqualified hack who led OPM while China stole 21 million sensitive personnel files has finally resigned.

A Federal Judge has uphold a Patent Office ruling revoking the Redskins Trademarks on the ground that they are “disparaging” toward Native Americans.

The Federal Government is threatening to hold up plans for a new Redskins stadium unless the team changes its name.

Taxes on wine, beer, and spirits vary wildly from state-to-state and even within each state.

Former Virginia Senator Jim Webb is running for President for reasons I would assume make sense to him.

A long history of opposing marriage equality could end up hurting Republicans even though that battle is over in this country.

In the wake of the latest Supreme Court decision, the Affordable Care Act seems to have become even more firmly established than it was before last week, and the prospect of repeal has become even less likely.

It was a close vote, but Virginia’s Republican leaders did the smart thing yesterday in picking a primary over a convention in 2016.

The people who continue to claim that the Confederate Flag is about anything other than hatred, racism, and a nation that celebrated slavery are lying to you and to themselves.

A proposed California law would require all students who attend public school to be vaccinated, with limited exemptions for medical reasons.

The Supreme Court has issued a ruling whose roots can be found in case law going back half a century.

Bernie Sanders is closing in the polls, but it still seems as though it doesn’t mean as much as some political pundits will try to tell you it does.

If Jim Webb runs for President, he will be the only candidate in either party who is on record defending the Confederate Battle Flag. And he’s thinking of running as a Democrat.

The era of legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act is over.

Virginia Republicans are deciding later this week how they will make their choice in the 2016 Presidential Race. And they may end up regretting their decision.

An important tenet of the internet is “don’t read the comments.” Well, I have violated that rule of late–which means more musings on the symbols of the CSA.

Two new polls show Bernie Sanders rising in the polls in New Hampshire, but they likely don’t mean anything in the long term.

It could cost you $250 to say “F- Arlington” if you happen to be in Arlington when you say it.

Even with a recent negative downturn in the polls, the reports of Hillary Clinton’s impending political demise are largely wishful thinking on the part of conservatives.

An Air Force general is bragging about a targeting technique being used against ISIS.

Hillary Clinton remains as much the inevitable Democratic nominee as she always has been.

The Senate returns tomorrow to try to pass an extension of the PATRIOT Act before it expires, but it may not be able to do so.

A new Gallup poll puts support for same-sex marriage above 60% for the first time ever.

Hillary Clinton is a deeply flawed candidate who might not even make a very good President. But that doesn’t matter in the race for the Democratic Nomination, and she’s probably going to be the next President anyway.

Maryland’s former Governor will announce his candidacy for President next week. Don’t expect him to go very far.

A New Jersey legislator is proposing finally getting rid of an antiquated law that makes it illegal to pump your own gas in the Garden State.

The first of what is likely to be many defamation suits related to Rolling Stone’s discredited campus rape story has been filed.

Once again, only six or seven states are likely to matter.

In a move that is clearly designed to have an impact in the General Election, Hillary Clinton came out in support of broad immigration reform in Nevada yesterday.

Aides to Governor Chris Christie apparently think there’s still a way he can run a credible campaign for President, but it seems unlikely.

In a marked departure from recent cases, the Supreme Court rules that states can impose significant restriction on solicitation of campaign contributions in judicial elections.

Saudi Arabia’s new King has shaken up the Royal Family, and that could have interesting results.

Tomorrow promises to be an historic day at the Supreme Court, but it’s been a long legal, political, and social battle.

As oral argument in the Supreme Court gets closer, a new poll finds public support for same-sex marriage at it’s highest level yet.

The GOP race remains tight, but some candidates have benefited from their entry into the race more than others. Overall, though, Hillary Clinton continues to dominate.

Ben Carson will be entering the race for President next month, but don’t pretend for a minute that he’s a serious candidate.

His poll numbers are down, the GOP base is not hospitable, but Chris Christie still seems to be thinking about running for President.

To the surprise of few, Hillary Clinton is running for President

Democrats like New York Senator Chuck Schumer could end up being the ones that scuttle the Iranian nuclear deal.

A bill pending in Louisiana seems likely to become the next national focus in the debate between marriage equality and claims of ‘religious freedom.’

A review of Rolling Stone’s now discredited report of a sexual assault at the University of Virginia reveals a shocking failure of journalistic ethics.

Another case of teenagers ‘sexting,’ another dumb overreaction by law enforcement.