… In this modern era of politics — which includes the incredibly close 2000 presidential race and another close contest in 2004 — the 2012 election produced a clear-cut outcome. And as the saying goes, elections have consequences. It’s how Democratic victories in the 1930s paved the way for Franklin […] Read more »
Republican Insurgents Forget Their Political ABCs
“I am not a member of any organized political party,” the humorist Will Rogers said. “I am a Democrat.” Even Will Rogers would be shocked at the disjointed and self-destructive congressional Republican Party of today. By forcing a government shutdown and possibly a credit default in a few weeks, a […] Read more »
Shutdown’s roots lie in deeply embedded divisions in America’s politics
The government shutdown did not happen by accident. It is the latest manifestation — an extreme one by any measure — of divisions long in the making and now deeply embedded in the country’s politics. … Some may rightly blame politicians in Washington for behaving badly, but in reality the […] Read more »
Americans See Current Shutdown as More Serious Than in ’95
As non-essential parts of the federal government remain closed, 70% of Americans view the shutdown as a crisis or a major problem, even higher than the 56% saying the same at the height of the last shutdown in 1995. [cont.] Art Swift, Gallup Read more »
Americans blame Republicans most for the government shutdown
Many analysts and pundits are trying to figure out who the public is blaming for the shutdown. All the pre-shutdown polling indicated that people were more likely to hold Republicans accountable than Democrats, but it also shows a majority of Americans think both sides are doing a bad job. Put […] Read more »
The House GOP’s 80-20 Problem
… Just three days into the shutdown, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out which party is worse for wear. … For Boehner to navigate his conference out of the ideological corner his party has boxed itself into (partially as a result of its strategy in 2012 redistricting), the key […] Read more »