Texas Passes New Immigration Law

Billions for a wall plus a likely showdown with the feds.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Suddenly a Republican

Another illustration of the weakness of the American party system.

The Importance of Institutional Design (Part Lots)

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles sparks a thought.

Abbott Promises to Pardon Just-Convicted Murderer

An outrageous political stunt.

Of Motes and Beams

The left and right are attacking basic rights. But not equally.

An Observation About “Classically Liberal” Punditry

“Classical liberals” really need to rediscover self examination

Texas Bussed Migrants to Vice President’s House

It’s the spirit of the season.

Republican Leaders Are Killing Their Voters

Republicans are dying at a much higher rate than Democrats.

Red and Blue States Aren’t Permanent

The margins for 2024 are likely to be slim. But that hides a larger story.

Biden Adopts Trump’s Immigration Policy

He’s using a tool he denounced as cruel to deal with a humanitarian crisis.

Today’s Reverse Freedom Rides

A shameful stunt reminiscent of an even darker era.

Texas and Arizona Bussing Migrants to DC and NYC

A cruel and insidious ‘solution’ to the border problem.

SCOTUS Blocks Texas Social Media Law (for Now)

A slim majority upheld an injunction, kicking the can down the road.

What Are Police For If They Won’t Risk Their Lives to Save Children?

Despite their military trappings and propaganda, they’re seldom heroes.

Two Republican Parties?

Some GOP governors are taking a stance against Trump.

Abbott’s Border Stunt

Political theater on the southern border.

Stevie Wonder feeling the White House Bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr during a visit to the Oval Office in 2016 by White House Photographer Peter Souza. Stevie Wonder feeling the White House Bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr during a visit to the Oval Office in 2016 by White House Photographer Peter Souza.

In honor of MLK, some dubious tweets & a lesser-known speech

Once again, today marks a day where folks who would never have supported Dr. King decide they should praise him

Abbott and the Border Wall

The governor of Texas vows to finish what Trump started.

President Joe Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, delivers remarks on the COVID-19 National Month of Action on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, delivers remarks on the COVID-19 National Month of Action on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden Administration Urges Businesses to Comply with Vaccine Mandates Despite Judicial Stay

Resolving the legal issues will take time we don’t have.

President Joe Biden observes trainers and apprentices at work at the final assembly station during a tour of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Lanham, Maryland. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden observes trainers and apprentices at work at the final assembly station during a tour of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Lanham, Maryland. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Selling the ‘Build Back Better’ Plan

The Catch-22 of passing a massive spending bill in an undemocratic system.

It’s all Fine in Texas

Two stories tell, well, a story about Texas and the pandemic.

Scapegoating Immigrants

Whataboutism about a visit to Whataburger (and other tales of obfuscation).

West’s Final Days as Texas GOP Chair

Not surprisingly, it has been a bit contentious.

Allen West Announces Gubernatorial Bid

He will challenge Greg Abbott for the GOP nomination.

Governor McConaughey?

A new poll from Texas give us a chance to think about parties and nominations in the US.

Vaccine Mandates and Education

The politics and the science are in conflict.

Texas Ends COVID Restrictions

The Lone Star State is celebrating its independence in a big way.

Texas Reverses LGBTQ Ruling

A whole ‘nother board came to a sane conclusion.

Does the Constitution Cover Texas?

The Lone Star state is making up its own rules.

Texas Case Pits Transgender Rights Against Parental Rights

A custody case out of Texas raises issues about how to react to and treat a child who identifies as a gender different from their biological sex.

20 Dead, 26 Injured In El Paso Mass Shooting. Hate Crime Suspected.

Another day, another mass shooting and, as is becoming all too common in this country, this one appears to have been racially motivated.

Texas Bans Red-Light Cameras

Texas has become the latest state to eliminate red-light cameras amid increasing evidence that they are largely counterproductive.

Mike Pompeo For Senate?

With Pat Roberts retiring, Kansas Republicans are reportedly looking at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to succeed him.

Beto O’Rourke: On Second Thought, Maybe I Will Run For President

After initially saying no, Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke is now reopening the door to the idea of running for President.

Beto 2020? Maybe, But Not For President

Beto O’Rourke should consider running again in 2020, but not for President.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Texas Senate Race Tighter Than Expected

The Texas Senate race between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke is looking close, but Democrats should not hold out much hope of flipping this seat.

[Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles] [Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles]

Pope Francis Declares Capital Punishment Unacceptable In All Circumstances

In what amounts to a significant, albeit not surprising, change in Catholic doctrine, Pope Francis has declared that the death penalty is unacceptable in all circumstances.

Austin Package Bomb Explosion Fourth This Month

Local and federal authorities are investigating a spree of explosions terrorizing Austin, Texas.

Breakdown In Background Check System Tied To Texas Church Shooting

The shooter in the Texas church shooting was apparently able to get his weapons because the Air Force failed to report his domestic violence conviction.

Federal Court Finds That Texas Voter ID Law Is Intentionally Discriminatory

A big win for opponents of Voter ID laws.

Federal Court Rules Texas Voter ID Law Violates Voting Rights Act

A big setback for one of the most restrictive Voter ID Laws in the country.

Ted Cruz Faces A Test In Texas

On Tuesday, Ted Cruz’s campaign faces what amounts to a do-or-die battle in Texas.

Justice Antonin Scalia Dead At 79

Associate Justice Antonin Scalia has died at the age of 79.