Hillary Clinton *drops* to a 49-point lead for the Democrats’ 2016 nomination

The year 2014 brought a mixed bag for Hillary Clinton’s presidential hopes. Her popularity continued to decline, her book tour drew mixed reviews (along with her book), and some in the liberal wing of the part are urging Elizabeth Warren to challenge her for the Democratic presidential nomination. But her […] Read more »

Obama, Cheney and the War in Iraq

When President Obama says, as he did today, “American combat troops are not going to be fighting in Iraq again,” he’s reflecting not only his own policy preferences but also a steady theme in U.S. public opinion. And as former Vice President Dick Cheney and other Bush administration officials rejoin […] Read more »

How the President Got to ‘I Do’ on Same-Sex Marriage

… The assumption going into the 2012 campaign was that there was little to be gained politically from the president’s coming down firmly in favor of same-sex marriage. In particular, his political advisers were worried that his endorsement could splinter the coalition needed to win a second term, depressing turnout […] Read more »

The Vice Presidential Advantage

There is a longstanding belief that the vice presidency is a poor launching pad for a presidential candidacy. The argument invariably notes that few sitting vice presidents have been elected president and points out the obstacles the second office places before those who mount presidential campaigns. … It’s too early […] Read more »