Don’t care about the Build Back Better Act? Hearing people’s personal stories might change that

Reporters waiting outside a private meeting between advisers to President Biden and Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema about the Build Back Better Act on Capitol Hill, Sept. 30, 2021. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Angela Bradbery, University of Florida When U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said that he wouldn’t support President […] Read more »

A new poll finds major warning signs for Biden and fellow Democrats

Americans don’t feel the direct payments or expanded child tax credits doled out earlier this year helped them much, according to the latest NPR/Marist poll, and they don’t see Democrats’ signature legislation as addressing their top economic concern — inflation. Additionally, they’re down on the job President Biden is doing, […] Read more »

Texas could test one of Biden’s core political bets

No state may benefit more than Texas from the social programs included in President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, an array of recent analyses show — despite the fierce opposition to the bill from the state’s Republican leadership. And over time that dynamic could make the state a crucial […] Read more »

A Pollster’s Warning to Democrats: ‘We Have a Problem’

Brian Stryker, a Democratic pollster, didn’t work for Terry McAuliffe’s campaign in the Virginia governor’s race. But Mr. McAuliffe’s narrow defeat in a liberal-leaning state alarmed him and most every Democratic political professional. That defeat also prompted a centrist group, Third Way, to have Mr. Stryker convene focus groups to […] Read more »