Wayne Maynard, 1948-2023

A longtime friend has passed.

The Injustice of Place

A new book looks at the confluence of geography and disadvantage.

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Phone Numbers

When something simple isn’t so simple.

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States, the Feds, and Revenue Transfers

All states but one receive more in federal money than they pay out in taxes.

Montana Bans TikTok

Who knew they got cell reception?

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California Revisiting Travel Ban

A symbolic gesture is now highly impractical, if not harmful.

What the Hell Are We Shooting Out of the Sky?

It’s probably not strange visitors from outer space but we can’t rule it out.

Chinese Balloon Mania

Tales of threat assessment and media reactions.

Can Bloggers Be Replaced by AI?

You be the judge.

Looking to the 2024 Senate Map

A tough map for the Democrats.

Minority Rule Isn’t a Myth

The will of the majority can prevail even in a skewed system.

American Civil War II is Unlikely but Not Impossible

A repeat of 1860 can’t happen. But something even worse could.

Harry Reid, 1939-2021

The longtime Senate leader is gone at 82.

Youngkin, GOP Sweep Virginia

It’s usually more effective to run for something rather than against someone.

SCOTUS Denies Emergency Injunction Against Maine Vaccine Mandate

There will be no religious exemptions. For now, at least.

Line of the Day

Get vaccinated edition

$4 Trillion for Dignity?

The Democrats are apparently selling their omnibus spending package the wrong way.

Start the Steal?

Cries that American democracy is in jeopardy are not hyperbole.

Census Results Likely a Boost for GOP

The long shift of population from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt continues—with the unusual exception of California.

Nick Burns to Be China Ambassador

An exceptional choice that breaks the recent tradition of politicos in the post.

Marijuana Legalization’s Inevitability

It’s seemingly just a matter of time before recreational use is allowed throughout the United States.

Biden at Odds with Pelosi and Schumer and SALT Repeal

A Trump-era policy designed to screw over blue states may actually be a good one.

Larry McMurtry, 1936-2021

The author of “Lonesome Dove,” “Terms of Endearment,” and so many more great novels is gone at 84.

Did House Impeachment Managers Make Their Case?

Most agree that it was good theater. But it’s not clear what they’ve proven.

(Many?)(Most?) Republicans Acknowledge Biden WIn

Too little, too late.

Charley Pride Dead at 87

A country music legend is yet another victim of COVID.

The Republican Party’s Shame

The Party of Lincoln went over the cliff like lemmings in support. It’s tough to see how they recover.

Meanwhile, in the Pandemic

It’s getting worse, not better.

My 2020 Projection

Predicting a Biden wave.

Could Biden Win Texas and Lose Ohio?

The state polling is not lining up along usual patterns.

The Pandemic Continues

Reminders from a perusal of the news.

Who’ll Control the Senate?

Forecasters give Democrats better than even odds of a majority.

The Senate’s Rural Skew

Injecting data into the conversation.

President Trump at the Bioprocess Innovation Center at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies President Donald J. Trump listens to a reporter’s question during a press conference Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Bioprocess Innovation Center at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies in Morrisville, N.C. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) President Trump at the Bioprocess Innovation Center at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies President Donald J. Trump listens to a reporter’s question during a press conference Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Bioprocess Innovation Center at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies in Morrisville, N.C. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

Trump’s Free Fall Over?

The President has hit rock bottom.

Democrats Likely to Retake Senate

A hundred days out, a wave election is the best bet.

Supreme Court Upholds ‘Faithless Elector’ Laws

States can punish Electors who substitute their judgment for those of the voters.

SCOTUS Allows Subsidies for Religious Schools

A seemingly obvious result that isn’t.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock Drops Out Of Presidential Race

And another one gone, another one gone, another one bites the dust.

Pete Buttigieg Takes The Lead In Bellwether Iowa Poll

More good news for Mayor Pete.

Liz Cheney For Senate?

It’s not clear if Congresswoman Liz Cheney wants to run for the open Senate seat in Wyoming. If she did, though, she’d be the prohibitive favorite.

Supreme Court Returns With A Politically Volatile Docket

The Supreme Court returns to work today with a significant number of high-profile cases on its docket.

Democrats Tighten Criteria for November And December Debates

The criteria for the November and December debate will make it much harder for some Democrats to get on the national stage. That isn’t a bad thing.

Congressman Seth Moulton Ends Presidential Bid

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton is ending a Presidential bid that few people were paying attention to.

Let The Winnowing Begin

As many as twelve candidates for the Democratic nomination may not qualify for the next debate. They should use that as an opportunity to get out of a race they clearly aren’t going to win.

John Hickenlooper Ends Quixotic White House Bid

We won’t have Hickenlooper to kick around anymore.

Democrats’ Debate Qualification Rules Too Easy to Game

Rich candidates are buying artificial donors to stay in the contest.

Biden Bounces Back, Harris Takes Fire In Second Night Of Second Debate

As was the case a month ago, Vice-President Biden and Senator Kamala Harris were the focus of last night’s debate. Things turned out very differently, though.

Progressives And Moderates Clash In First Night Of Second Democratic Debate

The first night of the second Democratic debate consisted largely of clashes between the party’s progressive wing and more moderate elements.

Lineup Set For Second Democratic Debate

The lineups for the second Democratic debate are set, and they include some interesting pairings.