Republicans’ last-ditch effort to repeal Obamacare was always a moonshot. A bill proposed by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) looks like it doesn’t have enough support in the Senate to pass a party-line vote. Republican leaders were trying to rush something through by Sept. 30. And […] Read more »
Trump’s Tap Dance With Chuck and Nancy Comes at a Price
There seems little question that President Trump has enjoyed his September dalliance with the two top Democratic leaders in Congress, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Aside from the Supreme Court confirmation of Neil Gorsuch, which isn’t technically legislation, this is the only significant legislative […] Read more »
Trump Won’t Lose His Base on DACA
A common parlor game here in Washington – one that has been played since 2016 – is “when will the GOP base break from Trump?” It didn’t happen with the Access Hollywood tape. Or the travel ban. Or Charlottesville. But, what about immigration? After all, his hardline approach on immigration […] Read more »
Why Trump’s Softening on Immigration Is Unlikely to Splinter His Base
In a matter of weeks, President Trump has twice struck deals with Democrats in Congress that have left many of his supporters flummoxed. … But the informal DACA agreement with Democrats is unlikely to be the move that splinters his re-election coalition. Partnering with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi on […] Read more »
Alabama’s Senate runoff election mirrors the national struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party
Thanks to a traditionalistic political culture and modern-day culture wars, public humiliation and scandal have plagued all three branches of Alabama government in the last year. In July 2016, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for felony ethics violations for soliciting money […] Read more »
Unsweet Home Alabama
In the midst of a grueling campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Alabama’s political sweet tea has acquired a distinctly sour taste. Appointed incumbent Sen. Luther Strange (R) finds himself in a vulnerable position against former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) in the party’s primary […] Read more »