Rarely have the tectonic plates of American politics collided as visibly and explosively as they did earlier this month in Tennessee. The procession of predominantly middle-aged or older White Republicans who rose almost two weeks ago in the Tennessee House of Representatives to castigate, and then expel, two young Black […] Read more »
The Tennessee Expulsions Are Just the Beginning
The red-state drive to reverse the rights revolution of the past six decades continues to intensify, triggering confrontations involving every level of government. In rapid succession, Republican-controlled states are applying unprecedented tactics to shift social policy sharply to the right, not only within their borders but across the nation. … […] Read more »
Gun debate is ‘another issue’ where the GOP may be ‘out of step with public’
The GOP’s response to gun violence shows how “out of step with public opinion” the party is as stricter gun reform measures are implemented across the states, Chuck Todd says on Meet the Press NOW. Meet the Press NOW The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll […] Read more »
Tennessee: Approval for Biden and Lee—and for a 2024 Trump presidential run—drops as voter malaise simmers
In a sign that malaise over rising inflation and stressors related to pandemic recovery could be influencing Tennesseans’ attitudes toward elected leaders, support for President Joe Biden and Gov. Bill Lee has dropped among registered voters, according to the most recent statewide Vanderbilt Poll. … Tennesseans also see a U.S. […] Read more »
How to Make School Board Culture Wars Even Worse
… The overwhelming majority of school board races around the country are nonpartisan. This was the case in Tennessee until Republican lawmakers, during an emergency session called to deal with Covid-related issues, rammed through legislation permitting county parties to hold primary elections to select school board nominees, who can then […] Read more »
Coronavirus response highlights deepening partisan divide
… The fierce tribalism that has characterized debates over immigration, taxes and health care is now coloring policy-making during a coronavirus outbreak that threatens countless lives and local economies across the nation. There are exceptions, but Republican leaders have been far more likely to resist the most aggressive social distancing […] Read more »