Here is a taste of Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson recent column: Jackson’s main Republican questioners are not focused on qualifications, temperament or even judicial theory. Their clear objective has been to trip up the nominee by asking about the latest Republican culture-war debates. […]
Republican Party
Has Mitt Romney betrayed his party?
Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen thinks so: Trump acolytes have long labeled Sen. Mitt Romney a “RINO” — “Republican in Name Only.” This is an unfair charge, given Romney’s conservative credentials. But Romney is lending credence to his critics by not endorsing his […]
Who is Kim Reynolds
She is the governor of Iowa. Last night she gave the Republican response to Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. As Elaine Godfrey writes at The Atlantic, the GOP picked her to deliver the response to “show voters that […]
Putin is rarely mentioned at CPAC
The speakers at the pro-Trump Conservative Political Action Conference this week are in a tough spot. I am sure many of them condemn the Putin invasion of Ukraine, but they can’t do that publicly without invoking the ire of their […]
Anti-Trump Republicans will gather for the “Principles First” summit
They will meet this weekend at the National Press Club. Speakers include Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Denver Riggleman, Geoff Duncan, Brad Raffensperger, Alexander Vindman, Joe Walsh, Barbara Comstock, Bill Kristol, Charlie Sykes, Tom Nichols, Peter Wehner, and Harry Dunn. Meanwhile, […]
“Legitimate political discourse”
Yesterday was a big day in American politics. The Republican National Committee censured Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, the two members of the GOP who sit on the House committee investigating the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, […]
The Republican National Committee will support Liz Cheney’s primary challenger in November
Earlier this week we posted about George W. Bush’s financial support of Wyoming Liz Cheney’s 2022 reelection campaign. Yesterday, while meeting in Salt Lake City, the Republican National Committee chose to back Cheney’s primary opponent. Here is Josh Dawsey at […]
Shifting power in the Republican Party
Prior to 2016, the following organizations and people held the power in the GOP: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce The NRA The Koch network Heritage Action The Drudge Report National Review Conservative movement groups such as Tea Party Express, FreedomWorks, […]
Peter Meijer is the only freshman representative in U.S. history to vote to impeach a president of his own party
Over at The Atlantic, Tim Alberta has a fascinating piece on Peter Meijer‘s first year in the House. On the morning of the impeachment vote the newly elected Grand Rapids (Michigan’s 3rd District–Justin Amash‘s old seat) Republican received an encrypted […]
Episode 33: “The 2004 Republican Convention: Part One”
Compassionate conservatism gives way to Iraq, economic freedom, and Frank Sinatra Episode 33: “The 2004 Republican Convention: Part One” dropped last night. Subscribers to Current at the Longshore level and above have access to new episodes of this narrative history podcast. Here […]
Kinzinger calls for an “uneasy alliance” among Republicans, Democrats, and independents to fight Trump’s influence
He is one of the few honest Republicans in the House of Representatives. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL), who is not running for reelection in 2022, is asking Democrats and independents to help him save his party from Trumpism. Here is […]
Did Republicans revise their moral beliefs to support Trump?
Of course they did. But now there is a study. Here is Eric. W. Dolan at PsyPost: New research sheds light on how people resolve inconsistencies between their own moral views and that of their preferred candidate. The findings, published […]
The GOP’s main job right now is to break with Trump
Conservative columnist Gary Abernathy calls for a break-up. Here is a taste of his piece at The Washington Post: So, “What are Republicans for?” Fair question. But before the Republican Party can redefine itself, it must first divorce itself from […]
Episode 32: “Platforms and Fortune Cookies”
The Christian Right shapes the 2004 Republican Platform. Episode 32: “Platforms and Fortune Cookies” dropped last night. Subscribers to Current at the Longshore level and above new episodes of this narrative history podcast. Here is a teaser: If you like what you hear, and […]
The bridge from Reaganism to Trumpism
Here is a taste of Jonathan Chait’s New York Magazine piece, “New Gingrich Invented Donald Trump’s Lock-Them-Up Politics”: A popular belief, especially among political centrists, holds that Trump is the antithesis of the old Republican ethos. On one side of […]
I barely recognize the Republican Party of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “economic girley men” GOP Convention speech in 2004
When Schwarzenegger gave this speech he was about eleven months into his first term as the 38th Governor of California. It is about the American dream, immigration, opportunity, and political and economic freedom. There is no culture war rhetoric in […]
Episode 31: “Where’s the Christian Right?”
The GOP prepares for its 2004 convention. Episode 31: “Where’s the Christian Right” dropped last night. Subscribers to Current at the Longshore level and above new episodes of this narrative history podcast. Here is a teaser: If you like what you hear, and want […]
The GOP is in a state of chaos, but they love the Lord
The Republican Party is a laughing stock. The Trumpian Far Right seems to be running the show, the Republican center is “muted,” and the leadership of the party is just letting the chaos ensue. Here is Jonathan Weisman at The […]
Dr. Oz joins the Pennsylvania Senate race
Sean Parnell is out. Dr. Mehmet Oz is in. Here is The Washington Post: Mehmet Oz, who rose to fame as “Dr. Oz” on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” said Tuesday he is launching a Republican campaign for Senate in Pennsylvania, […]
Tweet of the Day
Andrew Wehrman nails it: