Criminal Justice Reform Took a Back Seat at the 2024 DNC
The official Democratic Party platform no longer endorses abolishing the death penalty, decriminalizing marijuana, or repealing mandatory minimums.
Democratic Party
Israelis and Palestinians Found Common Ground at the DNC. Is That Enough?
Both Israeli hostage families and Palestinian Americans want the war to end with a prisoner exchange. But that isn’t moving Democratic policy.
Thank God It's Over
Plus: Harris/Walz camo hats are not for rednecks, mobility vs. density, and more...
Manufacturing Joy at the DNC
This is what 'democracy' looks like. Unfortunately.
Democrats Are Talking About 'Freedom' Because Voters Really Like Freedom
And probably because Republicans have foolishly abandoned it as a unifying theme.
Jane Coaston: What Is 'Freedom' to Democrats?
The New York Times contributor discusses the Democratic National Convention and the rhetoric of "freedom" on Just Asking Questions.
Presidents Don't Create Jobs, No Matter What Bill Clinton Said
Dynamic economies operate independently of the political party of whoever was elected most recently.
Party of COVID-19 Authoritarianism Improbably Rebrands as 'Party of Freedom'
Democrats campaigning both on their pandemic record and minding your own damn business: Pick one.
Democrats Aren't the Freedom Party
Plus: RFK Jr.'s exit, anti-Israel protesters at the DNC, and more...
Who Is the Real Kamala Harris? A Big Government Liberal.
Harris has flip-flopped on many issues, but she's been consistent on her desire to spend more of your money.
An Overorchestrated Rebellion: Dispatch From the DNC
An anticlimactic protest in Chicago reveals a tired approach to modern activism.
How Does the Democratic Party Actually Feel About Billionaires?
Sen. Bernie Sanders calls them "oligarchs," while Gov. J.B. Pritzker gets cheers when touting his own billionaire status.
Neither Harris Nor Her Party Perceives Any Constitutional Constraints on Gun Control
The 2024 Democratic platform devotes five paragraphs to firearm restrictions but does not even allude to the Second Amendment.
Economic Liberty Now Has No Place In Either Party
The rise of neopopulism means those who prioritize free markets have no political home.
Nobody Cared About Bernie's Speech
Plus: Obama endorses building more housing, why CEOs are paid so much, and more...
The Democratic Party Platform Still Won't Commit to Legalizing Marijuana
Democrats' official 2024 platform praises President Joe Biden's marijuana pardons but fails to call for decriminalization.
Democrats Just Can't Quit Saving Our Souls
Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton bring millenarianism—and messianism—back.
Industrial Policy Is Alive and Well at the Democratic National Convention
Speakers at the 2024 convention bragged about the Democratic Party's willingness to give public money to private companies.
If Joe Biden Saved the Economy, Why Do We Need Kamala Harris' Price Controls?
Democrats are pushing a jarringly disconnected economic message.
The Anarchist Dreams: Dispatch From the DNC
Amid hopes for peace, chaos erupts as protesters clash with police and each other.
All Aboard the Vasectomy Van
Plus: Protesters at the DNC, anarcho-brat summer, V.C.s supporting Trump, and more...
Democratic Platform Attacks Trump for Not Going to War
The Democratic Party wants to outhawk Republicans, denouncing Trump for deescalating with North Korea and Iran.
Why Libertarians Hate Kamala Harris' Economic Platform
Plus: Special guest Ben Dreyfuss joins the editors this week.
Muted Outrage and Aspirational Crowds: Dispatch From the DNC
Early protests at the 2024 Democratic National Convention reveal uncertain momentum.
Democrats Unburdened by What They Have Done to Chicago
This is what you get when politics is untethered from governance.
DNC Readies for Protesters
Plus: Ceasefire negotiations go haywire, free vasectomies and abortions from a van in Chicago, and more...
Nate Silver: How Likely Is a Kamala Harris Presidency?
Statistician Nate Silver will join Just Asking Questions at 12:30 p.m. ET this Thursday to talk about the state of the Democratic Party.
Iran Speaks of Israel's 'Annihilation'
Plus: Tim Walz's bad free speech comments, Planned Parenthood being sued, the metamorphosis of dining, and more...
Kamala Harris Is Running on 'Freedom.' Does She Mean More Than Just Abortion?
Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential candidate, told Republicans to "mind your own damn business" about abortion policy. Perhaps they should apply that concept further.
Tim Walz Is Not Your Dad
Plus: J.D. Vance's couch saga continues, Biden's war on plastic forks, and more...
Tim Walz Is Against Unaccountable Wars—but He Voted To Fund Them Anyways
While the former congressman cares a lot about war powers, he has often flip-flopped on actually enforcing Congress’ red lines.
Weighing Kamala Harris' Veep Options
A very special Reason Roundtable crossover episode with two guests from The Dispatch!
Josh Shapiro Is Kamala Harris' Best Bet for Veep
The Pennsylvania governor's support for school choice and occupational licensing reform is encouraging.
RFK Jr. Pays Lip Service to the Debt While Pushing Policies That Would Increase It
It's good to hear a candidate actually talk about our spending problem. But his campaign promises would exacerbate it.
What Kamala Harris' Coronation Says About the Democratic Party
Plus: A listener asks the editors about Project 2025.
'Karens for Kamala?' Inside the White Women Zoom Call for Harris
"White women, we have 100 days to help save the world!"
Kamala's Fabricated Gen Z Appeal
Plus: French arson, Sinaloa cartel update, and more...
Alex Thompson: Why Did Biden Drop Out?
Axios reporter Alex Thompson discusses Joe Biden's exit and the rise of Kamala Harris on Just Asking Questions.
America Deserves a Boring Vice President
Two cheers for dull, purplish Democratic governors.
The 'Pro-Worker' GOP Is Anti-Worker
The New Right talks a big populist game, but their policies hurt the people they're supposed to help.
'The Problem Is Spending': Libertarian Presidential Nominee Chase Oliver's Vision for the Future
The candidate supports gun rights, wants to privatize government programs, and would radically reduce the number of federal employees.
Even After the Harris-Biden Substitution, the Presidential Race Still Sucks
It's still a close race between terrible, and terribly unpopular, major party candidates.
Is Joe Biden 'Brave' for Dropping Out?
Stepping aside was commendable; spending months clinging desperately to power as voters lost faith in him, not so much.
Harris Promises Expensive Paid Leave and Child Care Subsidies in First Campaign Speech
Both had been dropped from the Inflation Reduction Act over concerns about the bill's cost and the amount of borrowing needed to pay for them.
Biden's Out. Harris Is In. Everyone Else Is Screwed.
Plus: A listener asks the editors if employers should be held responsible for the speech and actions of employees outside of the workplace.
Biden's Final Flip-Flop
The president's decision to drop out after insisting he never would continued a pattern established by a long career of politically convenient reversals.
