Outside the Beltway

Texas has joined with 16 other states in a lawsuit against the Obama Administration over the President’s executive action on immigration. At first glance, it doesn’t appear to have much legal merit.

On substance, the President’s immigration actions aren’t very objectionable. How he is implementing them, though, is problematic and seems needlessly confrontational.

The Keystone XL pipeline bill is dead until the next Senate. Mary Landrieu’s political career, on the other hand, is basically dead for the foreseeable future.

Approval of the Keystone XL pipeline will likely pass the Senate today, and will eventually go forward despite an expected Presidential veto. But, Mary Landrieu’s political career is still dead.

The GOP is dominant in the Southern United States, but it’s unlikely to last as long as Democratic dominance of the region did.

Despite speculation, both Angus King and Joe Manchin will stay with the Democratic caucus. And that makes sense for both of them.

The GOP added to its majority in the House, giving it the biggest majority it has had since Truman was President.

Things are looking good for the GOP to take over the Senate, but there are still several right races that could tip the balance one way or the other.

There’s at least a 50-50 chance we won’t know who controls the Senate until weeks after Election Day.

The Supreme Court’s expansion of same-sex marriage seems to be sitting well with the American public.

In the space of one week, we’ve gone from 19 states that recognize same-sex marriage to 29. Soon, it will be 35.

The death of the Tea Party is greatly exaggerated.

By failing to act, the Supreme Court has effectively legalized same-sex marriage in eleven more states.

Two weeks after it seemed to be tightening, there are signs the battle for control of the Senate may be moving in the GOP’s direction.

While it still seems unlikely that he’ll run, Mitt Romney does seem to be leaving the door open to a third run at the White House.

The Affordable Care Act is playing almost no role in the midterm elections.

Republicans still have an advantage, but Democrats seem to be holding their own in the battle for Senate control.

So far at least, there is no evidence that 2014 will be a “wave election.”

Notwithstanding the hype, there’s one very big reason why the idea of Elizabeth Warren as a viable candidate for President doesn’t make much sense.

Another Circuit Court of Appeals has weighed in on the marriage equality debate.

Once again the GOP finds itself on the wrong side of public opinion.

Contradictory rulings from two Federal Courts of Appeal show that statutory construction isn’t a simple thing.

Signs continue to suggest that a GOP Senate takeover is likely.

The EPA’s new carbon rules leave much to be desired.

The tragedy in Santa Barbara will. inevitably, revive the same old gun debate. But can it ever evolve beyond shouting?

Once again, Washington politicians are pontificating about the Washington Redskins.

Some polls aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.

A pretty clear violation of the First Amendment.

The Mason-Dixon Line says it starts in Maryland, but that no longer seems to be the case.

It’s a bit too early for Republicans to be celebrating that Senate majority that so many people are predicting.

Thanks to favorable polling numbers and candidate selection, winning the Senate may very well be in the GOP’s grasp.

A Jewish-American OSS hero has been denied the nation’s highest military honor.

The Supreme Court turns down a case dealing with student’s First Amendment rights.

Another victory for marriage equality. This time from the state that gave us the Supreme Court’s landmark decision on interracial marriage.

Mitch McConnell’s hopes to become Senate Majority Leader could hinge on what happens in his own state and in Georgia.

Former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie is challenging incumbent Senator Mark Warner for his Senate seat.

Same-sex marriage remains the law of the land in one of the most conservative states in the nation, at least unless the Supreme Court says otherwise.

The likelihood of any action on gun control in 2014 is extremely limited