The Limits of Ideology

John Fetterman says he’s not a progressive.

Dean Phillips to Focus on White House Bid, Will not Seek Re-election to House

More importantly, comments on challenges to incumbent presidents.

President Joe Biden boards Marine One at the Wall Street Landing Zone in Manhattan, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 en route to JFK International Airport in Queens, New York. The Statue of Liberty can be seen in the background. President Joe Biden boards Marine One at the Wall Street Landing Zone in Manhattan, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 en route to JFK International Airport in Queens, New York. The Statue of Liberty can be seen in the background.

Old Man Biden and Young Would-Be Voters

The President has tepid support in the 18-29 demographic.

Weak Parties With Strong Partisanship

More on an ongoing saga.

The (American) Politics of Israel-Palestine

Pick a side. No nuance allowed.

Israel Forms Unity Government to Avenge Hamas Atrocities

Amid warnings of war crimes, no mercy is forthcoming.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich) Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich)

Charles “CQ” Brown Confirmed as Joint Chiefs Chairman

The Senate is voting one-by-one in the face of the Tuberville hold on top nominees.

Whither Centrism?

What to call non-crazies who aren’t Democrats?

Public Confidence in Military Lowest in Decades

There has been a steady decline the last five years.

Is This Time Different?

America survived a civil war and the turmoil of the 1960s. Can we rebound again?

Is Twitter DeSantis’ Problem?

A columnist argues his failed launch was emblematic of a larger problem.

When Does Politics Stop Being Politics?

When we do it, it’s negotiation. When they do it, it’s hostage taking—and terrorism.

President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine about the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel. President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine about the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel.

SVC, Bank Contagion, and Government Action

The Biden administration had little choice but to act.

Biden Too Old! Trump Pretty Old Too!

Another poll showing the same thing as the other polls.

Dilbert Canceled

Newspapers across the country are dropping the popular strip over a racist rant.

Zealots and Pluralists

A moderate Republican almost diagnoses the problem.

Kyrsten Sinema Leaving Democratic Party

Because of course she is.

The Centrist Fantasy

Can moderate Republicans take back their party?

Trump’s Run Exasperates GOP Elite, Thrills Dems

Some of the early reactions to the inevitable announcement tell the tale.

Pelosi Attack a Turning Point?

What will it take to end the cycle of violence?

Craziness, Disconnectedness, and a Toxic Political Climate Equals Violence

The attack at the Pelosi house should surprise no one.

Fetterman and the Politics of Optics

Will voters overlook the elephant in the room?

Fear and Resentment of a Changing America

A revealing comparison of Republican districts that deny and don’t deny the 2020 outcome.

Obama’s Top Economist Opposes Biden Debt Relief Plan

An unlikely source argues that it’s too big and poorly targeted.

Dems in Midterms: You’re Saying There’s a Chance?

A 2020 blowout has long been presumed. But maybe it won’t happen.

Learning From Joe Manchin

Has the frustrating process of securing his vote taught Democrats anything?

photo of working, person, military, construction, cutting, team, helmet, build, labor, job, workers, laborer, task, construction worker, sledge hammer photo of working, person, military, construction, cutting, team, helmet, build, labor, job, workers, laborer, task, construction worker, sledge hammer

The Coming Democratic Majority Isn’t Guaranteed

Ruy Teixeira finds that Hispanics aren’t yet woke.

64 Percent of Democrats Want Biden Replaced in 2024

With record-low poll numbers, the grass roots wants someone new on the ticket next time.

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Doves Split Over Ukraine

Foreign policy makes strange bedfellows.

White House Rudderless, Aimless, and Hopeless?

Some Democrats are less than pleased.

Unity My Ass

Are you going to believe this index or your own lyin’ eyes?

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Earth Day prior to signing an executive order strengthening the nation’s forests, resilience to extreme weather events, and local economies, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Seward Park in Seattle. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Earth Day prior to signing an executive order strengthening the nation’s forests, resilience to extreme weather events, and local economies, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Seward Park in Seattle. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

The Messaging is Medium

The Democrats have lots of problems. Salesmanship is pretty far down the list.

Maximal Angst Despite Minimal Cause

Quite often, political fights are about attitudes rather than issues and polices.

Mass Shootings, Ideology, and Mental Illness

We know a lot less about the motives of spree killers than the public discourse suggests.

Utah Democrats Back Republican Evan McMullin in Bid to Unseat Trumper Mike Lee

Seeing no way to win under their own label, they’ve called a Hail Mary.

President Joe Biden takes notes doing a G7 Leaders’ Virtual Meeting Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in the White House Situation Room. President Joe Biden takes notes doing a G7 Leaders’ Virtual Meeting Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in the White House Situation Room.

Biden Wants Billionaire Tax (Rounding Up from Tenth of a Billion)

The President is taking a page out of Elizabeth Warren’s playbook.

The Senate is Passing Legislation!

Do you believe in miracles?

America’s Four Parties

Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans truly represent most Americans. Fixing that is exceedingly unlikely.

More Rogan (but not Just Rogan)

Musings about US politics and culture.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the passing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Tuesday, August 10, 2021, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the passing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Tuesday, August 10, 2021, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Second Guessing Biden’s First Year

Did the President exceed his mandate? Does it matter?

January 6th Yeah But-ism

Yes the riots were a disgrace but the Democrats . . . .

President Joe Biden delivers remarks before signing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Monday, November 15, 2021, on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith) President Joe Biden delivers remarks before signing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Monday, November 15, 2021, on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

Biden Preparing for 2024 Run

Will America re-elect an 82-year-old to the White House?

The Latest Example of the Nonhierarchical Nature of US Parties

A minor story that illustrates a far bigger problem in our politics.

Sexist to Focus on Sinema’s Style?

Why oh why won’t people stop commenting on the lady Senator’s outfits?

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The Middle Ain’t Woke

The average American is neither progressive nor all that interested in politics.

President Joe Biden drives a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon during a clean cars event, Thursday, August 5, 2021, on the South Lawn Driveway of the White House. President Joe Biden drives a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon during a clean cars event, Thursday, August 5, 2021, on the South Lawn Driveway of the White House.

Biden Settling for Smaller Spending Package

The President seems to have persuaded the progressives in his party to settle for half a loaf.

Irrelevant Republicans Being Ignored!

The liberal media is giving all their attention to the tax and spend Democrats!

Dems in Disarray, Deal Doubtful

The internecine fight over the budget is coming to a head.

Manchin’s ‘Strategic Pause’

More machinations from the mischievous mining mouthpiece.

There is No ‘Manchin Dilemma’

He beats the alternative.