Outside the Beltway

I’ve been arguing for years that what the Republican Party needs is to embrace its crazies and play more to racist elements in its base. It looks like someone’s listening.

Mitt won’t sign the Susan B. Anthony List’s Pro-Life Pledge.

The race for the GOP nomination is taking shape.

Mitt Romney told a group of unemployed Florida voters that he was unemployed, too! It’s being touted as a gaffe on Twitter but appears to be a joke.

Michele Bachmann is not Sarah Palin.

WaPo’s Jackson Diehl asks, “Will the GOP nominate a dove?”

Will last night’s debate have any influence on the potential candidates who weren’t there?

The debate format was the biggest loser last night, but there were a few memorable moments in New Hampshire.

Despite the disdain for him on the the hard right, Mitt Romney is the man to beat right now in the race for the GOP nomination.

The American public is increasingly skeptical of foreign adventurism. Why aren’t our political candidates reflecting that?

As with most of the other issues facing us, our political conversation about climate change and what to do about it basically just involves yelling at each other.

Some people still think Mitt Romney’s religion is a relevant issue.

President Obama comfortably leads all Republicans but one.

Another sad chapter in the slow death of a once proud magazine.

Is it appropriate for news organizations to decide that the people don’t need to hear from certain political candidates?

Palin has some odd things to say about US history.

To the shock of no one, Mitt Romney announced his bid for the GOP presidential nomination today.

The battle of Iowa is beginning with Mitt Romney in the lead, but Herman Cain and Sarah Palin aren’t far behind.

Herman Cain is getting a lot of attention lately, but will he amount to anything?

Sarah Palin’s latest media spectacle will be heading west next month.

Dan Balz titles today’s column “Romney bets his candidacy on the economy.” My reaction upon seeing that was, that’s a pretty safe bet.

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani tops the latest CNN poll of Republican presidential contenders.

Mitt Romney sent some leftover pizza to President Obama’s Chicago re-election team.

With so many Republicans wringing their hands over the 2012 field, one name that keeps popping up as a possible game changer is Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Gallup takes the first look at the GOP field after Huckabee, Trump, and Daniels dropped out.

The GOP doesn’t have a charismatic superstar waiting in the wings. That’s okay.

Fox News chairman Roger Ailes has come to regret the direction he took the network after the 2008 election.

Tim Pawlenty may face trouble from a pardon he issued while he was Governor of Minnesota.

The Republican candidates of 2012 are so weak because of GOP losses in 2004 and 2006 Senate and gubernatorial races.

With the 2012 GOP field looking very underwhelming, GOP insiders are looking toward Indianapolis for a savior.

All signs are that Michele Bachmann is running for president. What impact will she have on the race?