In An Era Of Trump, Do Campaign Fundamentals Matter?

At this point, it feels like we are in some kind of an alternative universe election where up is down, black is white and east is west. … Should we throw out all we know (or thought we knew) about politics? Do the so-called fundamentals we’ve all taken as political […] Read more »

Those Renegade Republicans

Is the Republican Party going rogue? It’s hard to look at the opinion polling in the GOP presidential nomination contest and conclude anything else. As unexpected as many of the developments on the Democratic side have been, it doesn’t hold a candle to what is unfolding among the Republicans. CONT. […] Read more »

Nativism And Economic Anxiety Fuel Trump’s Populist Appeal

Ever since the Tea Party began in 2009, various Republicans have been auditioning to lead this populist revolt. Rand Paul took a chainsaw to the federal budget. Ted Cruz almost shut down the government. Chris Christie and Scott Walker have been bashing Washington elites. But it wasn’t until Donald Trump […] Read more »

Why Trump Is Here To Stay — At Least For A While

Donald Trump’s summer of defying political gravity is continuing, despite predictions that various missteps would damage him. Instead, he has surged even more after his controversial Fox News debate performance. But who exactly are the people backing the boisterous billionaire businessman? Some recent polls offer a glimpse into the Trump […] Read more »

Can Trump Turn From Summer Fling to Serious Relationship?

When it comes to picking candidates for president, summer is for dating and winter is for mating. The question is not so much why Donald Trump and other anti-establishment candidates like Ben Carson and Bernie Sanders are gaining traction this summer. Instead, the question is whether voters’ affection will stay […] Read more »