Arlen Specter
A Brief History of Joe Biden's Up-and-Down Vice Presidency
Just a few weeks ago, Beltway tongues were gossiping about Vice President Joe Biden being a second-term neuter. See, for instance, the Politico article, "Joe Biden waits on sidelines," which opened like this: "Vice President Joe Biden walked the halls of Congress and hosted top-level talks at Blair House during the last fiscal showdown. This time, he’s roaming the aisles of Costco." READ MORE >>
Snarl in Peace, Arlen Specter
It was always hard to like Arlen Specter because he was so unlikable. “Snarlin' Arlin,” they called him behind his back in the U.S. Senate, though that wasn't quite on the mark. READ MORE >>
No Enemies to the Right: The Defining Element of the GOP Primary
Is Romney Taming the Tea Party?
MILFORD TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Mitt Romney on Thursday night visited Tea Party country, or what passes for it in these parts. He was the guest of honor for about 500 tea party activists at a banquet hall in northwest Oakland County, on the very outer edge of the Detroit suburbs. READ MORE >>
The Specter Of Romney’s Record
Why Is Romney Copying From Obama's Tax Plan?
So Obama Sees the Romer Memo, Then What?
Jon Chait asks the key question in response to the internal administration memo I uncovered while researching my book--the one in which Christy Romer wrote that it w READ MORE >>
Should We Take Huntsman Seriously?
Dick Lugar Futilely Pleads For His Senate Seat
There seems to be no dignified end for the Republican Senator facing a right-wing primary challenge. Arlen Specter took the best shot he had to survive: cut a deal to switch parties. It didn't work, and he lost in the Democratic primary. Orrin Hatch is desperately sucking up to a bunch of low-level whackos in Utah. Olympia Snowe is furiously moving right, even blocking her own small business bill. READ MORE >>
Being Strong And Wrong Does Not Always Work
There's a tendency among liberal Democrats to believe that the Republican Party is tougher and meaner and more effective. I think it's true that the GOP is more ideologically cohesive and less bound by social norms (the filibuster should be rare, impeachment is a response to extremely serious crimes, etc.) that might constrain their power. READ MORE >>
