It’s nothing new to say that members of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party don’t see eye to eye. After all, there’s a reason they belong to different political parties. But over the last few years, it really does seem that the dislike between the two sides has hit […] Read more »
Six Theories of Joe Biden’s Crumbling Popularity
The biggest mystery in American politics right now—and perhaps the most consequential one—is how Joe Biden became so unpopular. Biden began his presidency moderately popular: At the start, Quinnipiac University’s polling found that 53 percent of Americans approved of him and 36 percent did not. Today’s numbers are the mirror […] Read more »
When Bipartisanship Risks Undermining Democracy
… To Biden and like-minded Democrats, working with the GOP whenever possible is good policy and good politics, a way for the president to fulfill what pollsters agree was one of his most popular campaign promises. But Biden’s repeated emphasis on his ability to cooperate with Republicans has stirred concerns […] Read more »
Six Decades of Regional Change in House Elections
Key Points• The Greater South used to be the key cog in Democratic House majorities; now it is the region that allows Republicans to win majorities.• Democrats’ dominance on the West Coast and Northeast have allowed them to win majorities even as they have fallen further behind in the Greater […] Read more »
How to make voting districts fair to voters, not parties
Representatives say the Pledge of Allegiance at the State Capitol in Austin. Texas is one of many states that redrew their political maps in 2021. Tamir Kalifa via Getty Images Linda Fowler, Dartmouth College and Chris Fowler, Penn State Should fairness to political parties be the standard for evaluating legislative […] Read more »
Are independents really so independent?
People repeat it regularly. “Partisanship is in decline. Independents are the booming segment.” Political partisanship entails at least two distinctly different facets, and keeping them separate is important. On the one hand, partisanship is a psychological concept. How do you feel about the parties? I’ve written before about the fact […] Read more »