Outside the Beltway

It might not be pretty.

Purity for profit on display.

It’s a bit too early for Republicans to be celebrating that Senate majority that so many people are predicting.

Cliven Bundy still has his defenders among the hardcore right, but many people have joined Kentucky’s junior Senator in throwing Cliven Bundy under the bus

Once again, the Tea Party wing of the GOP is talking about taking out John Boehner.

The former Florida Governor is talking more openly about running for President than he ever has before.

As Sarah Palin and the Tea Party turn on Paul Ryan, they are making apparent their own lack of relevance in the political process.

Top Republican donors are starting to look at the former Governor of Florida as their candidate in 2016.

Was there ever a more tepid endorsement than “Joe Scarborough for President? Sure, Why Not?”

Does one Special Election in Florida tells us anything about nationwide trends? Probably not.

Calling anyone a front-runner in a race where we’re still two years away from anyone casting votes is silly. Nonetheless, Rand Paul is an interesting guy to watch for those wondering if the GOP has actually changed.

If something is going to be done about an out of control National Security State, it’ll be because the American people demand it.

Refusing to raise the debt ceiling does nothing at all to control spending.

Ted Cruz keeps putting his own party in difficult situations, mostly because he has only his own ambition at heart.

Kevin Faulconer proves that Republicans can win in California, but not if they follow the path laid out by the party’s far right wing.

Big news out of the House of Representatives

Pat Roberts may be facing a Richard Lugar problem in Kansas.

Mitch McConnell’s hopes to become Senate Majority Leader could hinge on what happens in his own state and in Georgia.

John Boehner explains quite succinctly why nothing big is getting done in Congress.

The House GOP leadership’s principles are a good start, but it’s unclear if they can make it past the anti “amnesty” crowd that seems to dominate the GOP.

Conor Friedersdorf turns the oft-asked question on its head.

Former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie is challenging incumbent Senator Mark Warner for his Senate seat.

There are some signs that there may be room to strike a deal on the extension of unemployment benefits, but it’s likely to require some drama on Capitol Hill before it happens.

Has Speaker Boehner breathed new life into immigration reform in the House? Maybe.

Ted Cruz continues to act as if he hasn’t learned his lessons from the shutdown debacle

The Economist reports that “The coffee insurgency” is winning.

Once again, Chris Christie seems to be directly challenging the right wing of his party.

The Fox News Channel created “War On Christmas” officially entered the absurd zone last week.

Time to watch a bit of true American exceptionalism in action.

Last night, Speaker John Boehner showed that he can beat the Tea Party wing of the Caucus he heads. That has important consequences for the future.

Is Mike Huckabee about to re-enter politics in a big way?

The Tea Party hit another new polling low, but that really shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

A budget deal has been reached, now it has to get through both Chambers of Congress.

Congressman Steve Stockman’s primary challenge of Senator John Cornyn could be a big deal, or, more likely, it could be a dud.

In 1789, George Washington took office after being elected by only a small portion of the population of the U.S. Does that mean he wasn’t “democratically elected?”