Can States Require Candidates For President To Release Tax Returns? Probably Not.

States are considering laws that would require candidates for President to release their tax returns, but such laws are probably unconstitutional.

Neil Gorsuch Confirmed As 113th Justice Of The Supreme Court

After a prolonged vacancy and a bitterly partisan confirmation process, Neil Gorsuch has been confirmed to succeed Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Gorsuch Sails Through First Day Of Questioning

Day One of the questioning of Judge Neil Gorsuch went very well, and it suggests that his path to confirmation is basically clear of serious obstacles.

Janet Yellin Hints At Another Rate Increase This Month

Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellin hinted strongly today that we’re likely to see another interest rate increase this month.

Rex Tillerson Confirmed As Secretary Of State

In a closer than normal vote for the position, Rex Tillerson has been confirmed as Secretary of State.

Trump Names Judge Neil Gorsuch To Supreme Court

With a relatively smooth announcement, Donald Trump has named a solid and qualified conservative who will likely be confirmed to the nation’s highest court.

Trump’s First Supreme Court Pick Could Be Days Away

President Trump hinted today that he’s likely to name his Supreme Court choice next week, and the list to appears have narrowed to three men.

Carrie Fisher Dies At 60

Rest in Peace, Princess. May the Force be with you.

EC Fantasy (Yet Again)

As we approach the vote, the fantasies keep coming.

Electoral College Fantasies

No, the EC is not going to elect Clinton.

Janet Reno, First Female Attorney General, Dies At 78

Janet Reno, who served as Attorney General for nearly all of the Bill Clinton Administration, has died at 78.

Former Israeli Prime Minister And President Shimon Peres Dies At 93

One of the last survivors of Israel’s founding generation has passed away.

No, Immigrants Aren’t Taking Your Job

A new study debunks an old idea.

Party Realignment Fantasies

David Brooks thinks American politics “Could get ugly” before the ship gets righted.

Should Presidential Candidates Be Required To Undergo Independent Medical Reviews?

Much like their predecessors, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have released only limited information about their health. It may be time for that to change.

Hillary Clinton Picks Tim Kaine As Her Running Mate

As expected, Hillary Clinton went with the ‘safe’ choice, and has selected Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate.

Supreme Court Upholds Affirmative Action Based College Admissions Program

In a somewhat surprising opinion from Justice Kennedy, the Supreme Court upheld the University of Texas’s race-based admissions program.

Britain Votes To Leave European Union, Cameron Resigns As Prime Minister

By a narrow margin, British voters have chosen to send their nation, themselves, and indeed all of Europe into uncharted waters.

Bill Kristol Reportedly Floating National Review Writer As Independent Candidate For President

Bill Kristol’s plan to stop Donald Trump involves a long shot independent bid for the White House by someone most Americans have never heard of before.

Trump, Clinton Look Well-Positioned For Big New York Wins

As the Empire State votes, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton look well positioned to have a very good night.

New Jersey Judge Rules Ted Cruz Is A “Natural Born Citizen”

A New Jersey judge, along with a Judge in Pennsylvania, is among the first to rule on the meaning of the ‘natural born citizen’ clause.

Yes, We Would Benefit From A More Diverse Supreme Court

Justice Sotomayor argued last week that we ought to look somewhere other than just the Courts of Appeal, the Ivy League, and the Northeast for Supreme Court Justices. She’s right.

Andrew Grove, Intel Chairman Who Helped Develop The Semiconductor Revolution, Dead At 79

One of the pioneers of the technology revolution of the past four decades has passed away.

President Obama Selects Judge Merrick Garland To Fill Supreme Court Vacancy

President Obama has selected his nominee to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court, now the question is whether the Senate will act.

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.

The ‘Birther’ Attacks On Ted Cruz Appear To Be Having An Impact In Iowa

The attacks on Ted Cruz’s eligibility to be President have no legal merit, but they appear to be having an impact with at least some Iowa voters.

Donald Trump Suggests Ted Cruz’s Canadian Birth Could Be A Problem For The GOP

In response to questions from reporters, Donald Trump suggested that Ted Cruz’s Canadian birth could pose problems for the GOP if Cruz won the party’s nomination.

Obama’s Executive Action On Guns Is More Symbolism Than Substance

The gun control regulations to be announced later today by President Obama later today amount to far less than the hype would lead you to believe.

Internet Hoaxes Can’t Be Debunked Anymore

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

Does Being A National Leader Shorten Your Lifespan? Maybe, Maybe Not

A new study suggests that being a national leader may shorten your expected lifespan.

Protests At Princeton May Lead To Admitting Uncomfortable Truths About Woodrow Wilson

Protests by students at Princeton are causing some people to finally pay attention to some inconvenient truths about America’s 28th President.

Is Portugal Europe’s Next Greece?

The election of an anti-austerity government in Portugal is raising some concerns.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The My Pet Gloat Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Another Trump Speech Leads To Another Round Of ‘Is Trump Imploding?’ Speculation

Donald Trump’s latest tirade has led to another round of speculation as to whether or not he’s ‘gone too far’ and reached the beginning of the end of his campaign. Don’t count on it.

The Race For The Democratic Nomination Isn’t Over Yet, But It’s Getting Close To That

More good news for Hillary Clinton, and a sign that the race for the Democratic nomination, to the extent there really is a race at this point, is close to being over.

Anti-Vaccine Paranoia Infects The Republican Race For President

There was far too much pseudoscience in evidence during the Republican Debate on Wednesday.

Should Political Debates Be on Pay TV?

Susan Crawford claims that “Cable-Only Presidential Debates are the New Poll Tax.”

The “Anchor Baby” Myth

There are no “anchor babies,” there are only Americans.

Stealing a College Education

Lee Siegel takes to the NYT to explain “Why I Defaulted on My Student Loans.”

Why is Harvard Subsidized by the Taxpayer?

A wealthy alumnus has given Harvard $400 million, sparking a heated debate.

Ted Cruz And The Question Of When A Candidate Is “Qualified” To Be President

Do we really want to put another first-term Senator with no executive experience in the Oval Office? Because beyond the mere legal requirements, it does not appear that Ted Cruz is qualified to be President.