Hitler and OTB

A stroll through the archives.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden portrait style Donald Trump and Joe Biden portrait style

Objective Journalism in an Objectively Uneven Contest

What if one of the candidates is Hitler?

An Observation about American Democracy

The ongoing Republican debacle and what it says about representative democracy in the US.

Trump and Christian Nationalism

A satisfying but unlikely explanation.

A Different Democracy, Indeed

A trip through comparative democratic reform.

Trump’s Stranglehold on Republican Voters

The base is remaining loyal to the only candidate they think can beat Biden.

When Does A University Stop Being a University?

West Virginia University may be the canary in the coal mine.

Flagship University Arms Race

The oldest state institutions of higher education are spending money to make money.

The Town Without Elections Redux

Updating the political saga of Newbern, Alabama.

The Biggest Trump Indictment

The one we’ve all been waiting for.

More on Small Town Justice

A deep tradition rightly under scrutiny.

Fear of a Third Party

The Electoral College is holding a nation of millions back.

Doug Burgum Trying to Buy His Way Into the Debates

The North Dakota governor really, really wants to be on TV.

When Does Politics Stop Being Politics?

When we do it, it’s negotiation. When they do it, it’s hostage taking—and terrorism.

Blogging Break

Rod Dreher Canceled

Things finally got too weird for his benefactor.

GOP Candidates Must Sign Loyalty Pledge

A no-brainer that’s brainless.

OTB at 20

A look back at two decades of blogging.

Trump a Laughing Stock

Is this how the cult ends?

Hakeem Jeffries, Fox News, and the Dangers of Sloppy Rhetoric

It would be nice if politicians and cable news outlets were more responsible.

Democrats’ Chaotic Skullduggery

There was some quiet meddling going on.

Marginal Differences Magnify Individual Races

We used to (usually) know the results on Election Night because the outcomes were clearer.

Republicans Winning House Popular Vote?

A surprising factoid in a bad election for the party.

Why Not Direct Democracy?

Would bypassing politicians altogether make the system more just?

Legendary Chemist Fired for Being a Hard Grader

A complicated case out of NYU.

The Emerging Democratic Majority at 20

How well has the famous thesis fared?

Democracy Scholars for Proportional Representation

A lot of folks who study democracy have sent an open letter to Congress.

Today’s Reverse Freedom Rides

A shameful stunt reminiscent of an even darker era.

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Constitution

Is it time to call the whole thing off?

[Voter Fraud Graphic] [Voter Fraud Graphic]

Reflections On “Voter Fraud” And The Design Of Government Systems

Are 20 arrests worth a $1.2 million dollar investment?

Feelings Don’t Care About Facts

“America can survive the demagogues themselves, it’s their audience that will kill us.”

Alabama Hyundai Plant Used Child Labor

Shocking but perhaps unsurprising news.

photo of working, person, military, construction, cutting, team, helmet, build, labor, job, workers, laborer, task, construction worker, sledge hammer photo of working, person, military, construction, cutting, team, helmet, build, labor, job, workers, laborer, task, construction worker, sledge hammer

The Coming Democratic Majority Isn’t Guaranteed

Ruy Teixeira finds that Hispanics aren’t yet woke.

Democracy and the End of Roe

This will just reinforce minority rule in the US.

Taking Notes on a Criminal Conspiracy

The Proud Boys, Trump family, and Alex Jones all filmed documentaries of their actions leading up to January 6.

The January 6 Committee’s Audience

It was yuuuge! And nobody saw it!

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on lowering the cost for American families Friday, April 22, 2022, at Green River College in Auburn, Washington. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden delivers remarks on lowering the cost for American families Friday, April 22, 2022, at Green River College in Auburn, Washington. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden Less Popular Than Worst President Ever

He’s underwater and not going to take it anymore.

Two Republican Parties?

Some GOP governors are taking a stance against Trump.

Maximal Angst Despite Minimal Cause

Quite often, political fights are about attitudes rather than issues and polices.

January 6 Committee Subpoenas Republican Leaders

An unprecedented manuever in response to unprecedented obstruction.

The Least Dangerous Branch?

The apparently eminent demise of abortion rights has reignited an old debate.

Depending on the Kindness of Strangers

Has the Internet made us more selfish?

Utah Democrats Back Republican Evan McMullin in Bid to Unseat Trumper Mike Lee

Seeing no way to win under their own label, they’ve called a Hail Mary.

The Flawed Nature of Representation in the US

Our representation problems are far, far more about structure than they are about the messaging of the parties.

COVID Normalcy and the American Gerontocracy

Speaker Pelosi has it. Is President Biden next?

Democratic Backsliding and the American Right

The only way to save our freedom is to destroy it.

Content Moderation, Free Speech, and Community

Unlimited dialog makes conversations harder.

Chris Wallace Found Fox News’ Relationship with Truth ‘Unsustainable’

The network’s longtime weekend anchor couldn’t take it anymore.

Descending into the Particulars of Cancel Culture

Generalities about an elusive and controversial phenomenon are unhelpful.

Census Undercounted Some Groups, Overcounted Others

Antiquated counting methods lead to misallocation of resources.