Outside the Beltway

One month before voters in several states head to the polls to vote on legalization referendums, a new poll shows that public support for legalization remains at record high levels.

With four weeks to go until Election Day, Donald Trump and the Republicans are continuing to stoke the divisions laid bare by the Kavanaugh nomination.

As the Senate prepares for a key procedural vote on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh this morning, the Judge’s fate remains up in the air. However, signs are pointing to reasons for Republican optimism.

At least for the moment, the fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court appears to be helping Republicans rally their base for November. The question is whether it will last after the fight is over.

Republicans intend to “plow through” on the Kavanaugh nomination even after yesterday’s hearing, but it’s not clear that they have the votes to confirm him.

In an ordinary year with an ordinary candidate New Jersey should be a slam dunk for Democrats. This, however, is not an ordinary year.

Prominent supporters of the embattled Supreme Court nominee, including the President, are doing him no favors.

A look at the numbers behind the influx of women into electoral politics this year.

Former President Bush has waded back into politics but don’t expect him to be campaigning for Ted Cruz.

After spending most of his post-Presidency on the political sidelines, former President Bush is hitting the fundraising trail for GOP candidates in Texas and Florida.

Former President Obama took on his successor in his first major political speeches since leaving office.

The nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh is, effectively, assured. Democrats should be careful about how much further they push their opposition.

The GOP’s hold on the Bob Corker’s Senate seat in Tennessee may be in jeopardy.

The first significant post-primary poll of the Florida Senate race shows a dead heat between Governor Rick Scott and Senator Bill Nelson.

Day One of questions for Judge Brett Kavanaugh went about as you’d expect.

As expected, Rick Scott easily won the GOP nomination for Senate in Florida, setting up one of the most highly anticipated Senate races of the year.

Another step forward in the seemingly unstoppable movement toward nationwide legalization.

A powerful political network is distancing itself from the Trump-dominated Republican Party.

Senate Democrats appear to be recognizing that there’s basically nothing they can do to stop the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

President Trump and the President of the European Commission announced an agreement late yesterday on trade issues, but it’s long on promises and short on results.

Overruling precedent dating back 51 years, the Court has ruled that states can require businesses that sell to residents within their state collect and remit appropriate sales taxes.

Pending the mere formality of approval by the Governor-General, Canada will soon become the largest nation in the world where recreational use of marijuana is legal.

Corey Stewart may be the darling of the Trumpidians in the GOP, but he won’t be getting any help from Senate Republicans.

The Trump Administration’s new legal position on coverage for people with pre-existing conditions could pose political problems in the fall.

Maine voters head to the polls today to pick nominees for Governor and several other offices, but the most interesting thing is way they’ll be voting.

There are twice as many suicides as homicides in America.

After a period where Republicans seemed to be closing the gap, Democrats may be widening their lead heading into November.

Republicans are at least a bit more confident that they’ll hold on to the Senate this year.

As expected, Gina Haspel was confirmed as C.I.A. Director yesterday despite her controversial record when it comes to torture.

At least one red state Democrat will be voting against Gina Haspel.

With a third Democrat crossing the aisle to support her, Gina Haspel now has the votes she needs to become the next C.I.A. Director.

Joe Manchin looks to be facing a strong challenge from Patrick Morrisey.

Gina Haspel faced some tough questions from Democrats regarding her role in the C.I.A.’s post-9/11 torture programs, but she’s likely to be confirmed anyway.

While the Trump Administration slowly tries to remake the Federal Judiciary, states are moving to pass radical new challenges to Roe v. Wade.

Republicans are worried about 2018, and they’re even more worried that they have a President who is refusing to acknowledge political reality.

The White House is pushing back on the allegations of misconduct that were made against Ronny Jackson this week, and trying to use them in a high-profile Senate race in Montana.

Not surprisingly, Mike Pompeo was confirmed as America’s 70th Secretary of State today. Now, the hard work begins.

The GOP’s most vulnerable incumbent is still looking very vulnerable.

For better or worse, Mike Pompeo will be confirmed as the 70th Secretary of State by the end of this week.

Hillary Clinton isn’t running for anything in 2018, but that isn’t stopping Republicans from running against her.

Despite facing headwinds in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mike Pompeo will probably be confirmed as the next Secretary of State. That’s unfortunate.

Kyrsten Sinema, the likely Democratic nominee for the Senate in Arizona, is leading all three of her potential Republican challengers. This could spell trouble for the GOP.

The Supreme Court heard argument yesterday on the issue of whether online sellers can be required to collect sales taxes, and the status of the issue remains as confused as ever.

Trump’s tariff plan isn’t going over well in farm country, and that could cause problems for the GOP in November.

Mississippi has passed a law that seems designed to directly challenge the underpinnings of Roe v. Wade.

Conor Lamb’s win in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District has set off an inevitable debate inside the Democratic Party about how to approach the upcoming midterm elections.

What the heck is going on in Kentucky and Tennessee?

Responsible governance from the Golden State?

Democrats appear to have regained momentum in the Generic Congressional Ballot.

New polls show increased support for various gun control measures, including limitations on so-called “assault weapons,” but that doesn’t mean we’re likely to see Congressional action on the subject.