Outside the Beltway

My latest for The National Interest, “Hagel’s Defense Cuts: The Least Bad Choice,” is out.

A rich guy wants to break up California.

Lack of understanding or basic dishonesty?

A big setback for the UAW.

The How Do You Stand On Nuclear Waste? Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

Just when it became safe to keep your shoes and tablets on, a new threat to the friendly skies has emerged: toothpaste.

A certain wealthy man with good hair is doing very well in a meaningless poll.

Republican leaders continue to say stupid things. They may still retake the Senate in November.

Airlines are squeezing ever-larger passengers into ever-smaller spaces. Naturally, the passengers are taking it out on the other passengers.

A GOP Senate Candidate in Georgia attempts to back track, and runs off the rails in the process.

The defense authorization law requires the Defense Department to go back to a single camouflage pattern.

Congressman Steve Stockman’s primary challenge of Senator John Cornyn could be a big deal, or, more likely, it could be a dud.

A third term for any of these guys? Don’t count on it.

Once again, some groups in Texas are trying to block approval of a science textbook because it is too deferential to Evolution.

Imagine all these people talking on the cellphones during a long flight, or even a short one.

Guess what’s coming to the dinner table.

The You Make Me Wanna SHOUT Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

The Imperial Presidency didn’t start with Barack Obama, but his PPACA “fix” does much to expand it into questionable new territory.

Charlie Crist, and his tan, want the Governor’s Mansion back.

With debate season over, it’s looking less and less likely that Virginia Republicans will be able to hold back the Democrats on November 5th.

Even if it were functioning properly the Federal Health Care Exchange website would still have problems.

Until this weekend, Mario Cuomo had refused to watch The Godfather. He still isn’t being very fair to it.

Nearly two-thirds of House Republicans voted for default. They lost.

Cory Booker has not been quite as dominant in the New Jersey Special Election as many expected, but he’s still a virtual lock to win on Wednesday.

The Virginia Governor’s race may be slipping too far for Republicans to pull off a victory.

The Supreme Court heard argument in a major campaign finance case yesterday.

McAuliffe pulling away?

The political polarization we saw during the Bush Presidency has continued throughout the Obama Presidency.

The long investigation into rape at the Naval Academy has revealed some ugly truths.

Prism ain’t got nothin’ on the Hemisphere Project.

The president’s public dithering on Syria is drawing jeers from friend and foe alike.

Bradley Manning will be spending a long time at Leavenworth.

With more than a little hyperbole, George Will declares “Obama’s unconstitutional steps worse than Nixon’s.”

Congress isn’t spending much time in Washington these days but that’s only one of the reasons it isn’t accomplishing very much.

A business move that signals the continuing death of the newspaper industry.

In response to North Korean saber rattling and the rise of China, Japan is reassessing it’s military posture

Last month, a retired Navy SEAL came out as transgender. Those still in uniform, however, must serve in silence.

Time to “pivot to the economy” again.

As Congress eyes the Defense budget for cuts, some are drawing attention to the lavish housing of our top brass.

The GOP’s chances to take over the Senate became much better over the weekend.

If you’re too sexy for your job in Iowa, your boss may be able to fire you.

Shocking news out of California.