The Background Check Deal: Grandstanding Or Good Idea?

The Manchin/Toomey proposal on background checks isn’t perfect, but it isn’t horrible either.

Keeping Mentally Ill Senators From Getting Guns

I’ve got my differences with Charlie Schumer and Joe Manchin. But there’s no need to call names.

Political Momentum For Gun Control Measures Appears To Be Stalling

The post-Newtown momentum for gun control has slowed significantly.

No “Nuclear Option” On Filibuster Reform

Once again, Harry Reid is pursuing a far less ambitious filibuster reform package than originally threatened.

No Labels in Need of a Label

No Labels is attempting to relaunch itself after amounting to exactly nothing in the 2012 cycle. Let me save you the trouble: They won’t matter in 2014 or 2016, either.

The N.R.A.’s Bizarre Response To The Sandy Hook Shootings

The NRA’s response to the Sandy Hook shootings was bizarre to say the least.

The Big Lie Of The 2012 Election

Both candidates are telling the public that they can change the way Washington works. They’re both setting themselves up to be the source of major disappointment.

Frank Buckles, Last American WWI Vet, Dies at 110

The last American veteran of a conflict which ended nearly a century ago has died.

Moderate Democrats Turning Against PPCACA’s Individual Mandate

Four Senators who just happen to be up for re-election next year are silently looking for alternatives to the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.

House Republicans To Take Up Repeal Of ObamaCare 1099 Reporting Rules

There appears to be bipartisan support for repealing one of the most egregious tax rules in last year’s Affordable Care Act

Senate Rejects Democratic Plans On Tax Cut Extension

The Senate rejected an effort to limit the extension of the Bush tax cuts based on income level. At this point, the only question is when Democrats will concede defeat on this debate.

Republicans Courting Manchin Party Switch

Republicans are making some big promises to try to lure West Virginia Senator-elect Joe Manchin to cross the aisle.

Jim Webb: The Last Of The Reagan Democrats

Virginia Senator Jim Webb is the last of a dying breed of Democrats, but his party may need him if it wants to remain competitive anywhere outside of a Blue State.

Mitch McConnell: Defeating Obama In 2012 Crucial To GOP Agenda

Mitch McConnell made clear today that he’s targeting Barack Obama for defeat in two years.

Republicans Win House Big; Tea Party Costs Them Senate

The enthusiasm for Tea Party candidates likely helped the House Republican wave. But it also likely cost the GOP four Senate seats that it would otherwise have won — and thus the majority.

Johnny Carson as Carnak Johnny Carson as Carnak

2010 Election Predictions

We’ve been talking about the 2010 elections since, oh, the day after the 2008 elections.   Now, it’s time for final predictions.

Prospects Of Republican Senate Dim

It’s looking less and less likely that the GOP will gain control of the Senate, but they’re going to come awfully close,, and that might be just as good from their point of view.

Odds Of GOP Senate Takeover Less Likely After Delaware Primary

Christine O’Donnell’s victory in Delaware Tuesday has made it less likely that the GOP will be able to take control of the Senate, but they still have an excellent shot of making substantial gains that will transform Congress’s Upper House.

Charlie Cook: The Senate Is In Play

For most of the year, a GOP takeover in the Senate seemed beyond the realm of possibility. That’s no longer the case.

Democrats Likely Keeping Byrd’s Seat

Democratic Governor Joe Manchin appears to have no serious challengers for the late Robert Byrd’s Senate seat.