Pundits Predicted a Backlash Against Criminal Justice Reform in the Midterms. What Happened?
While rising crime created headwinds for candidates who supported criminal justice reform, the apocalyptic storm never quite arrived.
Democratic Party
Congress and the Federal Reserve Could Be Setting Us Up for Economic Disaster
If lawmakers keep spending like they are, and if the Fed backs down from taming inflation, then the government may create a perfect storm.
Charity and Capitalism Are Better Than Government
When I was young, I assumed government would lift people out of poverty. But those policies often do more harm than good.
Congress Can Reduce the Deficit by $7.7 Trillion in 10 Years
The Congressional Budget Office projects that future deficits will explode. But there's a way out.
Subsidies To Help Workers Would Hurt Poor People
Some people would benefit. Others would lose money or be rendered unemployable.
Where Does ChatGPT Fall on the Political Compass?
We asked the hot new artificial intelligence system to take four popular political quizzes. Guess what we found...
Merchants of Death, Swaps, and Shake-ups
Plus: The editors briefly celebrate a noteworthy shake-up in the Senate.
Sinema's Defection from Democrats Sows Welcome Chaos Among the Political Class
We should appreciate anything that shakes the confidence of both major parties.
Congress' Lame-Duck Legislators Want To Spend Money Like We're Still in a Pandemic
It's especially outrageous when considering the billions of dollars in fraud that took place thanks to COVID-19 relief programs.
Raphael Warnock Defeats Herschel Walker, Removing Obstacle to Biden Administration Agenda
Democrats had already retained their majority, but by keeping Warnock's seat, they gained even more power in the upper chamber to hinder Republican opposition.
A Lame-Duck Congress Should Reject the Extended Child Tax Credit
The policy has some bipartisan support, despite the fact that it has mostly been a failure since its inception.
With Congressional Gridlock, Americans Get a National Breather
A hobbled Congress isn’t a solution to our woes, but it’s a lot better than lawmakers set loose.
Wallowing Around in a Gerontocracy
Plus: The editors consider what type of fresh attacks the marijuana legalization movement is likely to encounter.
Nancy Pelosi Embodied America's Gerontocracy Problem
She was the beneficiary of a political system that limits opportunities for new ideas and new faces to rise.
After House Democrats' Midterm Defeat, Nancy Pelosi Says She'll Step Down From Congressional Leadership
The first female speaker of the House leaves behind a legacy of big government liberalism.
Republicans Need an Actual Plan To Grow the Economy
The biggest beneficiaries of economic growth are poor people. But the deepest case for economic growth is a moral one.
Kari Lake's Defeat Is the Latest Disaster for Arizona's Trump-Backed Republicans
Voters rejected other Republicans who have cozied up to the former president, including Senate candidate Blake Masters and secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem.
The Red Wave That Wasn't
Plus: The editors field a question on U.S. ballot counting and talk more on Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover.
Bankrupt Crypto Exchange FTX Under Investigation
Plus: Democrats retain control of Senate, RIP Sharon Presley and Martin Wooster, and more...
The Election Betting Markets Fell Short. They're Still the Most Flexible Predictor.
People with money on the line try harder than pundits to be right, and they adjust quickly when they've made a mistake.
Jared Polis' Success Shows That Democrats Can Win Without Embracing Big Government
Jared Polis cruised to reelection this Tuesday on a platform that included reducing the state's income tax and giving "more freedom" to Coloradans.
It Was a Good Night For Abortion Rights, Ron DeSantis, Iowa Gun Owners—and Democrats
What we know about 2022 midterm results so far
Kari Lake's Election Conspiracy Theories Aren't Even the Worst Thing About Her
It's her willingness to wield state power to punish the ideas and groups she dislikes.
In Arizona's Senate Race, Blake Masters and Mark Kelly Battle Over Their Preferred Kinds of Big Government
Though the candidates have seemingly little in common, either one winning will harm the cause of individual liberty.
'This Is What Democracy Looks Like. And It Kinda Sucks.'
Plus: Peter Suderman may or may not attempt a rendition of a famous rap from the movie Bulworth.
Neither Democrats Nor Republicans Have a Clear Advantage Going Into Election Day
Plus: University cancels "The Problem of Whiteness" class, Twitter's snowflake-in-chief, and more...
A GOP-Led Congress May Focus on Owning the Libs. Instead, It Should Focus on Owning Inflation.
If the midterms favor Republicans, their top priority needs to be the fight against inflation—whether or not they feel like they created the problem.
Why Are Democrats Still Backing Trumpists in GOP Primaries?
Democrats paid $435,000 to back a pro-Trump Republican in Michigan—nearly $100,000 more than the candidate himself raised.
It Should Be OK To Talk About Negotiating With Russia Over Ukraine
Progressives shouldn't be ashamed of being anti-war.
This Election Day, Listen to the Betting Market Instead of Pundit Predictions
Over time, betting has been a better predictor than polls, pundits, statistical models, and everything else.
Polling Data Suggest That Student Loan Debt Relief Is Not Very Important to Young Voters
The new survey, released by Data for Progress, could spell trouble for Democrats hoping for gains in November following Biden's debt relief plan.
Midterm Polling, PayPal, and Patellas
Plus: The editors consider Ye and social media, then field a question about the TARP bailouts during the 2008 fiscal crisis.
Divided Government Is Good. In 2023, Bipartisanship Would Be Better.
From immigration to drug reform, there is plenty of potential for productive compromise.
Here's Why Biden Is Wrong About the Deficit
His administration has expanded deficits by $400 billion more than expected, even before we count recent spending.
Most Americans Say Immigrants Make the U.S. Better. So Why Don't Politicians Do Anything About It?
Democrats pander to immigrants but do little to liberalize the system. Meanwhile, Republicans' hostility to immigrants has increased.
National Abortion Ban Proposal Divides Republicans, Excites Democrats
Plus: Court-ordered "care," railroad strike averted (for now), and more...
Hiring Formerly Incarcerated People Is Good, Actually
Some conservative media outlets and politicians lambast the practice. But if you care about public safety, that opposition doesn't make sense.
What Would It Take for the Democrats To Really Be the Party of Opportunity?
Government should not penalize investment, thwart competition, discourage innovation and work, or obstruct production.
Biden and Trump Stoke Division While Complaining About It
The current and former presidents offer dueling but equally apocalyptic takes on this fall’s elections.
In Philadelphia, Joe Biden Peddled a Competing Brand of Authoritarianism
The current president becomes what he criticizes by delegitimizing opposition.
Revenge of the Abortion Voters?
Republicans are losing ground in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
Biden's Presidential Address Was Actually a Campaign Speech
Plus: Backpage appeal hits the 9th Circuit today, E.U. petition would ban anyone born after 2010 from ever buying nicotine products, and more...
The Biden Administration Is Taking From the Poor and Giving to the Rich
From student debt cancellation to green subsidies, the White House is giving handouts paid for by hardworking lower-wage Americans.
A Few Ideas for the Better Government Americans Desperately Want
From cronyist subsidies to an unfair tax code, there are several key fixes Congress could make to better serve the public.
Gerrymandering Is Making Elections Less Competitive
Cynical single-party gerrymandering contributes to and is driven by the hyperpartisanship that defines American politics right now.
Democrats Rediscover the Rhetoric of 'Freedom.' How About Rediscovering the Policies?
We should be skeptical of some Democrats' newfound embrace of "freedom" until they abandon freedom-restricting policies.
