National Democrats
State of the Union
Gary, on Talking About Politics, made a good point about Joe Biden’s State of the Union Speech: ‘Biden got the last laugh.’ Old-fashioned politeness – when you’re disagreeing with someone on the other side of the aisle – is a virtue. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s anger, jeering, offended people – and helped Biden. Political disagreements are…
Read MoreThree Tribes
It’s an old story. In the Bible. Tribes battling in the Holy Land. Today, in our Holy Land, in Washington, three tribes rule: Democratic Politicians, their cousins Republican Politicians, and Showmen. Joe Biden’s the face of the first tribe; Kevin McCarthy’s the face of the second; Trump’s the face of the third. The first two…
Read MoreChoosing Between Evils
An old-fashioned conservative, seven years ago in the Republican primary John cheered for Ted Cruz, scowled at Donald Trump; then a quirky thing happened: That fall, staring at Trump and Hillary on a debate stage, having to choose between two evils he picked Trump and, in the next breath, in his eyes Trump was no…
Read MoreTwisted Legacy
Narrow face, scar running down his nose, ending in a huge bulbous bump, living on Park Avenue Roy Cohn dodged the draft at the end of World War II; political gamesman, finagling, after he got a law degree he cut a deal, got a patronage job as Assistant US Attorney, landed in ‘The Trial of…
Read MoreThe Coming Fight
For years, when Republicans fought in a primary, conservative candidates had an edge: Most primary voters were conservative. And, since Independent voters often agreed with conservatives on issues, conservative Republicans were able to go on and win General Elections. That’s changed. Today, for many Republican primary voters Trump’s a totem. Conservative, an idea, matters less.…
Read MorePutin’s Happy
Biden cut a deal with Putin, got Brittney Griner home. Trump blasted Biden, called his deal ‘stupid,’ said Griner ‘openly hates our country.’ The Internet erupted, war broke out with one side gushing over Biden, the other side jeering him – and Putin must have been happier than he dreamed: He got his arms dealer…
Read MoreThanks, Joe
Three years ago this month, they said Joe Biden was too old and too out of touch to be elected President. Then he won South Carolina, swept the nomination and whipped Trump. Two years ago today, when he was inaugurated, they said he couldn’t get anything done with a 50-50 Senate and a thin House…
Read MoreGridlock
Gridlock’s back. And it’s not as awful as it sounds on CNN or Fox. Joe Biden can’t whip Republicans and Republicans can’t whip Biden – so steps in the right direction are going to die in their tracks but steps down the wrong road will too and when the threat you face is Washington politicians…
Read MoreA Lethal Tool that Backfired
Years ago when Jim Hunt was thrashing Jesse Helms in his Senate race, Arthur Finkelstein dropped a poll on the table, lifted both hands in the air in front of him, palms open. “There’re two kinds of elections.” He waved one palm: “There’re issue elections.” He waved the other open palm: “And character elections. This…
Read MoreRepublicans Will Overreach … Again
Two issues that pundits pooh-poohed – abortion and the threat to democracy – helped President Biden post the best mid-term in 2022 since FDR in 1934. Both issues rose from Republican overreach: the Supreme Court ruling on abortion and the Trump-MAGA attack on legal elections and the Capitol. Have no doubt. Kevin McCarthy’s House Republicans…
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