Outside the Beltway

Thanks in part to a slow summer news cycle, the speculation about Vice-President Biden entering the race for President seems to be reaching a fever pitch.

The low-polling candidates met in an early debate. It was about what you’d expect.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court let stand a ruling striking down North Carolina’s mandatory ultrasound law.

Hillary Clinton told supporters she’d require Supreme Court nominees to pledge to overturn Citizens United, a decision she completely misrepresented.

As expected, the Republican-controlled House passed a bill that would ban most abortions after twenty weeks. It also happens to be completely unconstitutional and has no chance of actually becoming law.

Another setback for the radical fringe of the “pro-life” movement,

The Hobby Lobby decision could end up motivating women voters to turn out to vote against Republicans in the fall.

Strange goings on in Ohio.

Perhaps the only good thing you can say about Virginia Delegate Robert Marshall is that, while he may be nuts, at least he’s consistently nuts.

Marlise Munoz is finally at peace, but the law that kept her hooked up to machines for two months remains on the books.

Chris Christie did as well as expected last night, but that’s just the beginning.

The race for Virginia Governor turned out to be much closer than many predicted, but that should not be a surprise.

A partial setback for the pro-life crowd out of Texas.

The good folks at The Guardian wonder, “Why have young people in Japan stopped having sex?”

A gun rights victory at the ballot box in Colorado.

The Administration has accepted reality in its fight against a ruling that made the “morning after” pill available regardless of age.

The Supreme Court declined to accept an appeal of a case in which Indiana’s effort to defund Planned Parenthood had been blocked by a Federal Court.

When does politics become the “primary activity” of a 501(c)4?

The Virginia GOP’s nominee for Lt. Governor could pose a problem for the party.

The FDA has modified it’s rules on the availability of a politically controversial form of birth control.

A recent poll has Obama and Romney tied among women. Another gives Obama a 33 point edge.

Last night’s debate was rough and tumble, but it’s unlikely to change the state of the race.

Abortion and “legitimate rape” are not what the Romney campaign should be having to deal with this week.

When and how often must they disclose their relationship? And can we take them seriously at all?

Either the majority and dissenting opinions in NFIB v. Sebelius were among the sloppiest in Supreme Court history or the Chief Justice switched sides at the 11th hour.

There’s an entire industry that profits from exploiting political controversy and division. Why do we let them get away with it?

Last night’s debate may have been the last one. It was also the least informative.

The Obama Administration’s proposed solution to the impasse over contraceptives is unlikely to end the debate.

Are culture war issues about to make a comeback in the 2012 campaign?

Rick Santorum swept three states that are off the media radar screen. Will it revive his campaign?

The Blinded By The Light Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

This week we learned that even breast cancer can become politicized. Is there anything that can’t at this point?

The backlash against the backlash is baffling.

Once again, the culture wars intrude into yet another area of life.

Do the Republican candidates believe that American citizens have a right to privacy? Someone should ask them.

Rick Perry is out with a plan to reform Washington. Mostly, it’s just a bunch of gimmicks.

House Energy and Commerce Committee “is investigating Planned Parenthood’s federal funding, requesting lots of docs.”

Whatever happened to the GOP’s promise to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act?

160 million girls are “missing” owing to selective abortion and cultural preferences for male children.