OTB at 20

A look back at two decades of blogging.

Nostalgic for Nostalgia

Is the past still the past?

Mayberry and White America

When life doesn’t imitate art.

10 Years On

Kimberly Webb Joyner, my first wife and the mother of my children, has been gone a decade.

Doug Mataconis, 1968-2021

The longtime OTB front-pager has passed far too soon.

President Donald J. Trump greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, prior to boarding Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. to begin his trip to Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Nevada. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian) President Donald J. Trump greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, prior to boarding Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. to begin his trip to Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Nevada. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

A Repudiation After All?

The early reaction was premature.

Was I Wrong on Harriet Miers?

Rethinking what qualities we should be looking for in Supreme Court Justices.

The Consequences of Design

The convergence of design flaws in the constitution and a flawed leader have brought us to brink of an electoral crisis.

politics outrage shouting politics outrage shouting

Perspective on the Current Contentiousness

This is not even close to the worst it’s ever been.

Why 2020 Democrats Were Able to Consolidate the Moderates and 2016 Republicans Weren’t

The races are more alike—and yet more different—than we seem to remember.

Presidential Generations

We’re going to make history one way or another in November.

Is Presidential Impeachment Constitutional Dead Letter?

(At least the removal part)

No, Citizens United Didn’t Ruin Our Democracy

Money has increasingly dominated American politics but the court case had little to do with it.

Republicans Learned Right Lesson from 2012, Went Wrong Direction

What happened to “building a lasting relationship within the African American community”?

Republican Apocalypse … Now?

David Brooks joins the long line of commenters predicting the GOP’s demise.

I’ve Changed, Man

Did I leave the Republican Party or did it leave me? Both.

Justices Divided on Partisan Gerrymandering

Oral argument hints that we may have a 5-4 ruling allowing state legislatures to continue stacking the deck.

Where Have All the Commenters Gone?

The mysterious disappearance of long-time OTB commenters.

Cold Civil War or Civil Cold War?

The Kavanaugh fight is just another indicator of our national divide.

Revised Thoughts on the Kavanaugh Hearings

I’ve changed my mind on a couple of things and hardened my opinion on others.

Buried in Trump’s Bullshit

The President is generating so much outrage on a daily basis that we’re missing important stories.

Enlightenment Ideals and the Immigration Crisis

Today is a great day to reflect on the Enlightenment ideals that fueled a Declaration.

politics outrage shouting politics outrage shouting

Outrage Over Minority Rule

There is a frustration and a growing sense that the American political system is illegitimate.

The Limits of Comedy

Controversies involving Jimmy Kimmel and “The Simpsons” highlight a perennial question.

Confirmation Bias, Hidden Agendas, and the Challenges of Conversation

A blog post and resulting Twitter exchange point to a larger problem in our political dialog.

Reflections on the Passing of Will Moore

When a prominent political scientist committed suicide yesterday, I was deeply struck by how much he was like not only me but most of the people in my professional circle.

Meh Hillary

It has become necessary to destroy the party in order to save it.

The Republican Party Jumps the Shark

In the immortal words of the Fonz, I was wr-wr-wr-wr . . . not exactly right.

The End of the Republican Party As We Know It?

Ronald Reagan famously claimed, “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The party left me.” I’m going through the process in reverse.

No, the US is not on the Verge of a Multi-Party System

We will have a two party system for the foreseeable future.

Internet Hoaxes Can’t Be Debunked Anymore

People don’t much care whether information supporting their prejudices is true.

Bring Back the BCS!

Some preliminary thoughts on the inaugural college playoff system.

Bill Cosby vs. Ben Roethlisberger

Chris Rock wants us to remember that Bill Cosby isn’t the only celebrity accused of rape.

Blue Trumps Black and White

A former RNC chair says a black man’s life isn’t worth a ham sandwich.

Professor-Cop Blames Victims of Police Violence

17-year veteran of the LAPD says, “If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me.”

Police Are Not Soldiers; Our Communities Are Not War Zones

We should not tolerate them acting otherwise.

Shut Up, He Explained

Shutting down rational debate one meme at a time.

The Government-Liberty Connection: Hobbes

An ongoing set of considerations on the relationship between liberty and government.

A Qualified Yes to a Constitutional Convention

Some thoughts on reform.

Rich Kids Go to Elite Colleges, Becoming Rich Adults

The economics of higher education is increasing the gap between rich and poor.

Bourbon Snobbery

The noted wine critic Robert Parker recently forayed into reviewing bourbon and came under intense fire from enthusiasts of American whiskey.

Shooting Sprees vs Organized Terrorist Attacks

We treat violence by lone individuals differently than organized violence. Race, religion, and national origin have nothing to do with that.

The Army’s Leadership Problem

Tim Kane continues his campaign against the US military’s antiquated personnel system.

The Role of Editors

I have over the years been both editor and edited; currently, I’m both, often in the same day. Some thoughts on the relationship.

Administrative Bloat at America’s Colleges and Universities

One major factor in the skyrocketing cost of a college education in America is a huge increase in overhead costs.

A Map Is Worth A Thousand Votes

Democrats are approaching an “Electoral College lock.” Republicans are trying to pick it.

Man Bemoans Selfish Women Not Having Enough Kids

Ross Douthat says American women should stop being decadent and have more babies, explaining that raising children is easier than it used to be, so there’s really no excuse for women to be so selfish.

More on Voter ID

Another study shows that voter ID laws negatively affect a lot of Americans.

What is “Constitutional”?

What does the US Constitution actually provide in terms of guidance for governance?